One record at a time: 447. Vangelis - Themes

"Themes" is a compilation that features tracks released when Vangelis was signed to the Polydor label. Whilst record companies will often license recordings to each other in order to make a more comprehensive "Best of" compilation, the clever marketing people at Polydor avoided this cost by persuading Vangelis to hand over music from his unreleased film soundtracks.

By the time this compilation was released the music from the film "Blade Runner" had begun to take on mythical status. Vangelis's original score had not been released alongside the movie and the public had to be satisfied with a rather curious orchestral adaptation of the music instead. So, when excerpts from Vangelis's original work were included on this record, it was considered quite a coup. 

The music that was used on the end titles of "Blade Runner" is an iconic piece of electronic music that features a superb sequencer riff, bombastic timpani samples and an atmospheric melody. However, as a paid up member of the IHTSC ("I hate the saxophone club") I find it hard to like the "Love Theme" from the film; but I can see why it is revered nonetheless.  

"Themes" also features music from the unreleased soundtracks to "Bounty" and "Missing". Personally I like the ponderous and slightly intimidating "Opening Titles" from "Mutiny on the Bounty" and the "Main Theme from Missing" is quite touching.

Elsewhere, "Chung Kuo" and the first movement of "The Long March" are conflated to a single track that is mistakenly titled "Chung Kuo" - but as discussed in the "China" review, this seems to have been a common mistake. The standout tracks "Hymne" and "L'Enfant" are taken from "Opera Sauvage" and "La Petit Fille de la Mer" from 1973's "L'Apocalypse Des Animaux" is also included. It would be incomprehensible for this album to not include the titles from "Chariots of Fire" and it dutifully delivers with the last track. This is a nice compilation that would serve as an excellent introduction to the uninitiated. 4/5