Record Label: Sony Masterworks
Genre: Film Score
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It’s been a few years since we had new music from legendary John Williams (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) but he’s back with 2 new albums this year! “The Adventures of Tin Tin” and “War Horse,” two different styles of film music. If I had to choose, War Horse is the better of the two.

War Horse is based on the WWI book by Michael Morpurgo and the stage adaption as well. The movie is basically about a horse from England that is sold to the cavalry and used on both the French and German sides of the war. I honestly don’t know more than that since I haven’t read the book, seen the play or the movie yet. I’m sure it’s a bit dramatic and I will be tearing at the end. I’m a sissy when it comes to things like that.

John Williams score is what you’d expect it to sound like. Triumphant, fanfare-ish, dramatic. You can do no wrong with a Spielberg/Williams collaboration. The music is really beautiful and hearing new music from John Williams is just a blessing I think. I’m not sure what other scores this reminds me of, maybe a little bit of The Patriot, and Far and Away. Right from the start of “Dartmoor 1912,” you know what type of score you’re going to get. Something you can listen to without even seeing the movie. I’d imagine seeing the movie will only make this score much stronger. What I like most is the use of the flutes, clarinets and strings. Those are the three main groups of instruments I noticed throughout this score.

War Horse score is probably one of the best scores Williams has done in the last 10 years. Granted he didn’t do any scores for a few years, but glad to see he’s back! It was worth the wait!

Bottom Line: Another beautiful classic from John Williams
Notable Tracks: Dartmoor 1912, Plowing, The Reunion, Homecoming
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