The producers have front loaded the first disc with the latest releases starting, inevitably with the Christmas 2001 double of Harry Potter and Fellowship of the Ring. Williams' curiously titled Hedwig's Theme (I wonder if he intended it to be Hogwart's Theme as Hedwig - the owl - has a fairly minor role in the book and an almost non-existent one in the film) is given a lively performance which is, unfortunately and predictably not technically perfect, but does give a clearer presentation of the inner orchestral parts than the original. The Fellowship from Howard Shore's Oscar winner to Peter Jackson's marvellous take on Tolkein's classic fantasy isn't perhaps the most exciting cue of the score, mainly variations on the Hobbit/quest theme and the Ring fanfare. It certainly doesn't give much of an impression of the wider scope the rest of the score has. Both Goldsmith's and Silvestri's Mummy scores are well presented, even if Silvestri's suite, which is a back to front version of the suite from the original album, sounds like it has finished halfway through.
Although another rare fantasy Oscar winner, Tan Dun's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon score doesn't honestly get a great deal of time in my stereo, but the marvellous suite here combining the now seemingly ubiquitous percussion, together with the wonderful 'cello writing, certainly inspired me to dig it out. Aside from a great suite from Gladiator on the second disc combining the Entry to Rome and some of the battle music, that's about it for new recordings and we're back to rather more familiar territory. Basil Poledouris' two epic efforts for Conan and Flesh + Blood are well performed and exciting. A couple of groups of scores are started with a lengthy selection by Herrmann and Rozsa for Ray Harryhausen adventures including Seventh Voyage of Sinbad by the former and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad from the latter, but also a selection from Jerome Moross' less well known, but equally good Valley of Gwangi.
Disc one ends with John Williams' marvellously macabre Dance of the Witches, liable to further fuel the debate on just how closely it resembles Hedwig's Theme (similar, but that's about it if you ask me). After a depressingly bad version of some Schumann, sorry, Willow's theme we are treated to a brief Tim Burton suite of Danny Elfman music. A shame Sleepy Hollow and Planet of the Apes were not included, both of which would have brought the collaboration more up to date and fitted the album remit somewhat better. A performance of Elfman's fabulous Planet of the Apes titles music by the City of Prague Philharmonic would have been interesting given the complexity of the percussion and samples. Still, what we have are three classic Elfman scores, even if they have appeared just a few too many times.
Michael Kamen's depressingly unreleased score to Highlander is represented by the marvellous Training Montage, after which we are "treated" to a suite from the Mad Max films. Brian May's music is something of an acquired taste, but Maurice Jarre's contributions to the second sequel are great, even if it's not the sort of film one immediately associates with the composer. The final few tracks are pretty well worn, save for Goldsmith's Legend which isn't exactly a compilation staple, even if it should be. About the millionth release of the Raiders March closes the album, but unfortunately the performance doesn't exactly leave a great feeling afterward.
Some of the entries are interesting simply because they are the first re-recordings and I always find it enjoyable to hear someone else performing something I've heard dozens of times on the original album. As with most Silva albums, likely to appeal to different people for different reasons. I'd hope that some of the younger fans may enjoy the golden age scores rather than just play The Mummy Returns over and over, but for those who happily listen to new and old (like me) there isn't really a great deal of interest and nothing overtly rare or obscure. Still, mostly well performed and mainly good music, plus typically good liner notes.
Rating ~ 
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