The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
Out of print in the U.S.! Digitally remastered reissue of the soundtrack to the 1996 Disney animated motion picture composed by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Features tracks by Bette Midler, All Four One, Tom Hulce and other cast members. Disney.
Customer Review: Remastered version is worth the trouble
Needless to say, this is one of Disney's best soundtracks. The remastered version is definitely an improvement. Why it was only released in Europe I don't know but it is worth going to the trouble to get it. Highly recommended.
Customer Review: epic and stunning
by 1996, disney animation was starting to slide. after the lion king's huge success, pohahontas failed to live up to the lofty standards; it was successful, but not to the same extent. the hunchback of notre dame saw a similar dicline as well. although the film is impressive and powerful, possibly overly so, the soundtrack is a truly forgotten gem. the film is flawed and was not the success that was hoped for, but this soundtrack is one of the best that disney has ever offered. the score here is one of alan menken's greatest. its hared to compare them all since they're all so different and show menken's brilliance as a composer that they all take on such life, but this is an A+ score. again menken uses sounds and rhythms from the setting to further the story. the brilliant use of greek and latin liturgical chants throughout much of the score and many of the songs bring power and weightiness that would have most definately been missed otherwise. these liturgical portions provide both the scores greatest strength but its greatest weakness as well. at times, sheer emotion that is present in most of his songs is missed and instead we are treated to an almost over-the-top style of music. still this is an impressive score by any standard that definately deserved the oscar but somehow missed it. SCORE 5 out of 5 as for the songs, menken and steven schwartz provided some of disney's greatest. for the most the part the songs are intense, powerful, emotional and dramatic. the comic songs provide wittiness and cleverness that don't undermine the actual story (with one exception that i will get to ...) THE BELLS OF NOTRE DAME - paul kandel is a phenominal presence here and the unbelievable flourishes of the score paired with the great story telling make this a top-notch opener for the film. the length never wears on and it stays incredabley impressive throughout. at times it does provide some strange moments musically that hint at levity in strange places, but nevertheless this is great 5 out of 5 OUT THERE - we first meet tom hulce's rendition of quasimodo here in this great song of longing. it is both emotional and powerful without being sappy. the biggest potential problem here would be having to live up to the intensity of the song prior to this, but out there does it with flawless ease. tom hulce's voice is also a great treat 5 out of 5 TOPSY TURVY - this is a great fun song that is both humorous but witty and clever. the humor doesn't compromise the story and keeps things moving in a dramatic direction impressively enough. this song shows an impressive maturity on the part of schwartz's lyrics and the audience that they will pick up on the sly humor. 5 out of 5 GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS - wow. this song's power and heidi mollenhauer's emotional performance raise this mere ballad of longing to something more and all the more impressive. this song literally moved me to tears because of the character's longing and emotional strength. the only complaint is that this could have been stronger if it was expanded similar to bette midler's version at the end. but still a great song that can't be missed. 5 out of 5 HEAVEN'S LIGHT/ HELLFIRE - first up is heaven's light. another beautiful little song from tom hulce who brings the same level of emotion and tenderness as before. the lyrics are soft and loving, perfect for quasi's ballad. then we have hellfire by tony jay. the intensity and raw sensuality make it a risky song for a disney flick, but it works brilliantly. the interesting thing is how the two pieces compare and contrast the two mens' feelings towards esmarelda; love vs lust. 5 out of 5 A GUY LIKE YOU - here's where things fly south. with this song we see none of the intensity or chants that accompany the rest of the soundtrack. alone this isnt that bad of a song. but within the film, it undermines all of the building drama with cheap cliched tactics. i understand the thinking behind the song; it shows quasi's delutions as to how esmarelda may care for him, even though she doesnt. but it could've worked much better if it used the wittier humor that is present elsewhere, it even undercuts the building drama on the soundtrack too. 2 out of 5 THE COURT OF MIRACLES - this is a short but darkly comical song that like topsy turvy brings dry humor and tongue-in-cheek humor to lighten up the song. it's short but worth a listen. 5 out of 5 SONGS OVERALL 4 out of 5 were it not for the disaster that is a guy like you, this would be a five star film and five star soundtrack. menken and schwartz showed on the rest of this soundtrack that they can do much better. this is still much better than most soundtracks out there today and blows many other disney works out of the water. this can't be missed by any disney fan or music lover in general.


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