I have found that the best tracks on many Silva Screen releases tend to be the ones using a choir and so an entire compilation (now two compilations) devoted to that group of singers is a superb idea. This album is certainly varied and interesting and the performance and recording are excellent throughout. It seems that many of the tracks can be grouped in pairs. This will actually make sense in a moment! First pairing would be Zadok the Priest and The Hallelujah Chorus. Not only are they both by George Handel, but they are also both classical pieces that were used and adapted in the films from which they feature. The performance on both is good, although Zadok the Priest is just a fraction on the pacey side and requires a slightly more reverential and grand performance. However, they are both technically excellent. How the West Was Won and The Alomo make the next pairing, both being from Epic Westerns. The former is a kind of full symphonic Wagon Train theme (obviously the tune is different, but it's that kind of thing!)
Patrick Doyle gets a good airing on this disc with some excellent selections from his scores for both Ken and Em. The two selections from Much Ado About Nothing are both well performed, although the former seems to be missing a section and the latter is a fraction fast although I prefer the way the voices are blended on this recording compared to the original. Weep No More Sad Fountains and In Pace from Sense and Sensibility and Hamlet are both originally for solo vocal, the former retains that status, but the latter is arranged for full choir (and I don't think it appears on the original score in this form either). Weep You No More Sad Fountains is brilliantly performed by Charlotte Kinder. She has an operatic styled voice that isn't too crystal as to be irritating (that's possibly because of my lack of fondness for opera). However, the piece and singing are both wonderful and I look forward to the rest of the score. In Pace comes out well in this version and I honestly prefer this to Domingo's original.
The next pairing are from the nib of Danny Elfman with Edward Scissorhands and Mars Attacks!. They do seem slightly at odds with the rest because they are in Elfman's own somewhat unique style whereas the rest are very classical sounding. However, the performances aren't too bad, although it is rather distracting that Edward Scissorhands fades out. Also, the "Choral Mix" on Mars Attacks! isn't quite as smooth as the original, and this instance the original is preferred. A couple of Russian entries are accounted for in Hymn to Red October and Alexander's Entry into Pskov from Prokofiev's masterpiece, Alexander Nevsky. The Hymn has been arranged with English lyrics which frankly don't to it any favours at all. The number of syllables is different which means that some parts sound forced to get everything in. Also, some of the lyrics, rather than sounding exotic, foreign and patriotic some across as rather tacky, things like "Trustee Ship of Revolution" sounds rather strange to me. Also, the mixing of the voices and orchestra doesn't work for me. I think this is the only track that fails for me. Prokofiev's entry does get an excellent rendition and apart from a slightly dubious central orchestral section, the performances is very good indeed.
The remaining tracks are all performed with typical aplomb, standouts being the African/Zimmer-ish Sanctus from IF, a fair rendition of Williams' rousing chorus from Empire of the Sun. A special mention must be made of Basil Poledouris' superb contribution to the 1996 Olympiad with his Tradition of the Games. With definite hints of Conan the Barbarian as well as a somewhat exotic feel, this makes a deft companion piece to Williams Summon the Heroes and Michael Torke's orchestral showpiece, Javelin.
A fascinating compilation with better then usual performances as well as some good arrangements and only a couple of minor slips. A must for fans of film music and choral music alike (which suits me being an ardent fan of both)!
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 73:23