ThemesFrontIntroduction

“Themes” is one of better compilation albums by Vangelis, as it includes several unique tracks that are not available elsewhere. Released in July 1989, "Themes” compiles many well-known pieces from the Polydor-catalogue, such as selections from “Chariots Of Fire” (1981), “Blade Runner” (1982) and “Antarctica” (1983). Most interesting however are the ‘Main Theme’ from “Missing” (1982) and the ‘Opening Titles’ and ‘Closing Titles’ from “The Bounty” (1984) which are truly unique to this album! At time of release it was the first time that any of Vangelis’ music for “Blade Runner” was officially published, as the official soundtrack only came available in 1994.

All of the tracks on Themes are either composed for film or television, or used in a television commercial, the only exception perhaps being ‘The Tao Of Love’ from the album “China” (1979).

To promote the album several singles were released including the themes from “Chariots Of Fire”, “Blade Runner” and “Missing”. Especially the last one has become a rarity and is therefor highly valued. In Germany a special “Limited Edition” promotional sampler CD was released that included only 5 tracks.

In contrast with the CD and due to the length of the album, the original LP and cassette releases omitted ‘Five Circles’ from “Chariots Of Fire”. In 1992 Polydor issued another compilation album in Spain by the name of “The Best Of Vangelis”, which essentially is an extended version of “Themes”, adding two extra tracks on the two disc release. In 1995 yet another compilation album followed in France by the name of “Themes II: The Very Best Of Vangelis”. This album presents 16 additional selections from the Polydor and RCA catalogue not included in the original Themes-album.

 

ThemesLimitedEditionFrontTracklist and credits

  1. End Titles (from Blade Runner) 4:57
  2. Main Theme (from Missing) 3:59
  3. L'Enfant (from Opera Sauvage) 5:00
  4. Hymn (from Opera Sauvage) 2:45
  5. Chung Kuo (from China) 5:29
  6. The Tao Of Love (from China) 2:45
  7. Theme From Antarctica (from Antarctica) 3:55
  8. Love Theme (from Blade Runner) 4:55
  9. Opening Titles (from The Bounty) 4:16
  10. Closing Titles (from The Bounty) 4:58
  11. Memories Of Green (from See You Later) 5:42
  12. La Petite Fille De La Mer (from L’Apocalypse Des Animaux) 5:51
  13. Five Circles (from Chariots Of Fire) 5:18
  14. Chariots Of Fire (from Chariots Of Fire) 3:31

 

  • Composed, arranged, produced and performed by Vangelis.
  • Recorded at Nemo Studios, London.
  • Photography: Stathis Zalidis

 

LesChariotsDeFeuFrontDiscography

CD

  • 1989 Polydor, released worldwide.
  • 1989 Polydor 889 637-2 Germany “Limited Edition” (5 track promotional CD in digipack)
  • 1995 Polydor 839 518-2 France (Legend Collection)
  • 1995 Polydor 839 518-2 Brazil (Minha História Internacional)
  • 1998 Polydor POCP-9136 Japan (Selected Best 2000)
  • 1999 Polydor 839 518-2(24) Mexico (Serie Millennium 50)
  • 2001 Polydor UICY-1503 Japan (New Best One)
  • 2007 Universal Music UICY-6678 Japan (One The Best)
  • 2013 Polydor 8395182K Hong Kong (K2 HD Mastering)
  • 2016 Polydor UICY-77797 Japan (ヨーベス Yogaku Best)
  • 2021 Polydor 839 518-2 Taiwan

LP

  • 1989 Polydor, released worldwide.

ThemeFromAntarcticaCDFront7” single

CD single

  • 1989 Chariots Of Fire / Love Theme (from Blade Runner) (Polydor 889 968-2) The Netherlands (in cardboard sleeve)
  • 1989 Chariots Of Fire / Love Theme (from Blade Runner) / Hymne (Polydor 889 969-2) Germany (Maxi CD)
  • 1989 Missing / Eric’s Theme (Polydor 873 436-3) The Netherlands (3” CD single)
  • 1992 End Titles (from Blade Runner) / Chariots Of Fire / L’Enfant (Polydor VANGEL-3) Spain (promotional)
  • 1995 Theme From Antarctica (Polydor 579 538-2) The Netherlands (in cardboard sleeve)

 

Recording studio

All of the music on the Themes-album was recorded in Vangelis’ own Nemo Studios in London, except for ‘La Petite Fille De La Mer’ from “L’Apocalypse Des Animaux” (1973) which was recorded in Studio Europa Sonor in Paris.

 

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