Somewhere In Time Soundtrack CD

This re-recording of John Barry's score for the 1980 Jeannot Szwarc romantic fantasy film is a bit of a puzzle, albeit a delightful one. Recorded in 20-bit digital audio by John Debney and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, this is the best account ever given of that score -- ironically, MCA/Universal, which distributes Varese Sarabande, also has out the original soundtrack as a full-priced item in its catalog, though the latter has never been upgraded from its late-'80s remastering and offers less music than is present here. Every section of Barry's music -- not just the vastly lyrical romantic passages, which are the obvious focus for most listeners -- is given a beautifully expansive reading. The darker sections, such as "June 27th," "Room 417," and "The Attic," benefit from the playing of the full-size symphony orchestra, which offers more virtuosity than the MCA pick-up orchestra could ever bring to this music. Edwin Paling's solo violin and Lynda Cochrane's piano also bring an optimal realization to the key musical moments in the original portions of the score, which the Rachmaninoff variation used as a key plot element. One is able to perceive, in this score as realized on this CD (especially on the track "A Day Together"), the rich and expansive internal orchestral language that Barry would employ to brilliant effect in his scoring of Dances With Wolves a decade later. ~ Bruce Eder

John Barry's score to the cult favorite Somewhere in Time is among his most romantic, seductive work. It proves that Barry can get sentimental when he chooses and that when he does, he never gets cloying. It's a richly romantic offering from one of the cinema's finest composers. ~ Robert Lovering

Composed by John Barry.

All songs written by John Barry.

Original score by John Barry.

Recorded at City Halls, Glasgow, Scotland on May 9, 1998. Includes liner notes by Robert Townson.

Personnel: John Debney (conductor); Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Personnel: Edwin Paling (violin); Lynda Cochrane (piano).

Liner Note Author: Robert Townson.

Recording information: City Halls, Glasgow, Scotland (05/09/1998).

John Barry