SKU: A0.1340981

The Tom Hanks hit holiday movie The Polar Express generated a number of fun tunes.  This main theme is a favorite of pops orchestras during the season.

SKU: A0.1430275

From the 2006 Ron Howard film adaptation of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, this track is taken from the soundtrack which underscores the final late night walk by Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) through the streets of Paris to (possibly and hopefully) conclude his long and testing quest to seek the Holy Grail.  No spoilers however.  If you've not seen it, then add it to your playlist!

The film's soundtrack evokes great emotion throughout and whatever criticisms there may have been over the years about the book, the story, the film etc.. this is definitely one of Hans Zimmer's finest emotional and thought provoking soundtrack  scores, drawing from a huge range of musical influences, from the big symphonic oceanic sounscapes to the intimate vocal solo and choral plainchant that are peppered throughout the score.  It is an example of how a soundtrack can really make a massive difference to what some might describe glibly as a popcorn movie.

Very much like Time in Inception Zimmer takes a relatively simple harmonic and melodic trope and adds layers of melodic counter melody and rhythmic building to create an awe inspiring and (let's face it BIG!) climax, supporting the narrative of the film and story but also creating music that can be taken away from the cinematic experience and enjoyed for its own sake.

This orchestration emulkates as closely as possible the soundtrack.  Some licence has been taken with the addition of 2 Trumpets which build the climax with the upper strings. 

SATB choir is also scored as per the original soundtrack but optional as it is mostly covered by orchestral instruments and is also a very brief appearance but - at least for the sopranos - extremely challenging for anyone apart from a professional specialist choral ensemble. 

The synth section of the keyboard part in the opening pages can also be optional, adding some background sounds that Zimmer is so renowned for (this may be beyond the budget of some performing groups we appeciate).  However the piano cues later in the piece are highly desirable as they add a percussive support to the strings.

We commend this score to anyone buidling a program of film music for their orchestral event, particularly if you are wishing to include some more modern concert ideas, and in particular a Hans Zimmer classic.

INSTRUMENTATON:

2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets
2 Bassoons
1 Contra-Bassoon (Optional)

4 Horns
2 Trumpets
3 Trombones
1 Tuba

Timpani
2 Percussion
[Cymbals/Suspp.Cymbal/
Bass Drum/Tubular Bells]

Keyboard
SATB Choir [Optional]
Strings.