The first film music concert I ever saw was John Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican. Not a bad for a first time. What made it even more exciting was that it was the first time I got to hear Summon the Heroes and to hear it live was quite outstanding. It has to be said that listening to an old taped copy of the radio broadcast of the concert, the LSO's ever wonderful brass section still made several slip ups over Williams' almost impossibly difficult trumpet writing. The solo trumpet parts are actually the easier parts - although that could be because Tim Morrison makes it seem so easy - it's the descant trumpet fanfares which really are quite tricky. However, the Boston Pops likely had enough takes to form a flawless performance and it really is quite an impressive result. Much more complex than any of Williams' previous ceremonial themes the popularity of the piece hasn't taken off in quite the same was as his 1984 Olympic Theme (for the Los Angeles games), but is far and away the more complex and exciting composition. Having said that both the Olympic Fanfare and Theme as well as The Olympic Spirit are both very entertaining and provide yet more proof that when it comes to the rousing and brassy, John Williams is almost unsurpassable.
The rest of the album is quite a mixture, but the overall ambiance is either hymnal appreciation for human achievement and endeavour or rousing fanfare. O Fortuna seems a gratuitous and slightly unnecessary inclusion, as is Rozsa's Parade of the Charioteers from Ben Hur. A wonder whether it would have been replaced with the concert Flag Parade, which is modelled very closely on the Rozsa, had the album been for the 2000 games in Sydney. The two Vangelis entries are perhaps a little curious given than 1492 was about exploration - human endeavour I suppose - and Chariots of Fire is very much a piece which works best synthesised, but sounds a little ungainly heard performed by full orchestra. A more cerebral take on the human spirit is summed up in Bernstein's gorgous Olympic Hymn. Apparently a premiere recording, it sounds very familiar and I could swear I must have heard previously. Theodorakis' Ode to Zeus isn't quite as a subtly splendid as the Bernstein, but completely surpassed my expectations and is lovely in its own right.
Perhaps my favourite of the non-Williams tracks is Javelin by Michael Torke. A lithe and balletic nine minutes that is built of short repeating phrases that bounce off one another and dance around the orchestra. The overall tone is light, but when the music does build to a couple of brassy climaxes, it is well worth the wait. I highly recommend picking up some more Michael Torke as his music is hugely accesible and quite wonderful, although Javelin still remains my favourite so far. Almost any album with John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra is going to be splendid, but this is even a cut above their usual level of excellence. Shawn Murphy's recording has more bite than usual, the strings sing and the brass is sharp and concise. Any Williams fan should unfailingly own it for Summon the Heroes which is about as spine tingling as Williams ceremonial compositions get. Many of the more unfamiliar inclusions are also well worth discovering. A splendid album, highly recommended in every respect.
Rating ~ 
Total time ~ 62:28