AlexanderFrontIntroduction

“Alexander” is the soundtrack album by Vangelis for the 2004 film directed by Oliver Stone, about the life of the Macedonian King and conquerer Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer and Anthony Hopkins. Released by Sony Classical on the 8th of November 2004 the album was greatly anticipated as it had been 8 years since Vangelis’ previous score for "Kavafis" (1996).

As is more often the case when Vangelis scores a film, the soundtrack album differs to some extent from the music heard in the film. In case of Alexander the album includes many of the themes heard in the film, but often in a slightly different version and length. The film on the other hand contains more music and unique themes that are not included on the album, making it essential to see the film to be able to hear all of Vangelis’ music. In an interview Vangelis admitted that ‘I ended up with more than double the music than is on the CD’.

The music of Alexander is very diverse, ranging from heroic and epic themes to action-packed, dramatic, ethnic and romantic themes. In contrast with earlier film scores Alexander is more orchestral, but at all times Vangelis is in control: ‘Even when it's the orchestra playing, I'm playing with them. It's never just the orchestra alone’. The orchestra and choirs were recorded separately from Vangelis’ electronic instruments. Due to the mixed reception of the film in several parts of the world, Vangelis’ score did not receive the attention it deserved, and as such still is one of his most underrated scores. Even though the score was presented for consideration by the Academy, it did not receive a nomination for the award.

No singles were released to promote the album, but the soundtrack was marketed on the dedicated website alexandersoundtrack.com (archived). In Germany and the US a limited edition CD was released that included the exclusive bonus track ‘Bizarre Bazaar’ (sometimes misspelled as ‘Bizarre Bazar’), a track not used in any version of the film. The track ‘Roxane’s Veil’ is a cooperation with renowned violinist Vanessa-Mae, who also included the piece on her album "Choreography" (2004), as well as tenor Konstantinos Paliatsaras, with whom Vangelis had earlier worked on “Foros Timis Ston Greko” (1995) and “A Vihar” (2002).

Interesting for completists is the promotional “For Your Consideration” CDr issued to present the score of Alexander to the Academy, as it has an alternate tracklisting including two tracks (5 and 8) not available on the regular soundtrack, as well as a bit longer version of ‘Immortality’. Part of the Alexander franchise was a computer game developed by UBI, which also used some of music from the Alexander soundtrack album, and included a short video interview with Vangelis known as ‘Vangelis scores Alexander’. A more comprehensive version of this interview was later included on home cinema releases of the film.

In October 2005 Vangelis’ music for Alexander won the Public Choice Award at the World Soundtrack Award ceremony in Ghent, Belgium.

 

AlexanderCDbackTracklist and credits

  1. Introduction (1:32)
  2. Young Alexander (1:36)
  3. Titans (3:59)
  4. The Drums Of Gaugamela1 (5:20)
  5. One Morning At Pella (2:11)
  6. Roxane's Dance (3:25)
  7. Eastern Path2 (2:58)
  8. Gardens Of Delight3 (5:24)
  9. Roxane's Veil4 (4:40)
  10. Bagoas Dance (2:29)
  11. The Charge (1:41)
  12. Preparation (1:42)
  13. Across The Mountains (4:12)
  14. Chant (1:38)
  15. Immortality (3:18)
  16. Dream Of Babylon (2:41)
  17. Eternal Alexander (4:37)
  18. Tender Memories (2:59)

AlexandreFront1 Vocals by Epirus Polyphonic Ensemble.
2 Duduk by Vahan Galstian.
3 Vocals by Irina Valentinova-Karpouchina
4 Violin by Vanessa-Mae, vocals by Konstantinos Paliatsaras and Irina Valentinova-Karpouchina.

  • All music composed, arranged, produced and performed by Vangelis.
  • Assistant producer: Frederick Rousseau
  • Mixed by Philippe Colonna.
  • Electronic instruments programmer: Vangelis Saitis
  • Orchestrations: Nic Raine
  • Music transcriptions: Irina Valentinova-Karpouchina
  • Music production consultant: Chantal Feghali
  • Orchestra and choir conducted by Nic Raine
  • First violin by Dominique Lemonnier.
  • Harp by Maria Bîldea.
  • Sound engineers: Philippe Colonna, Frederick Rousseau, Vangelis Saitis and Stephane Briand.
  • Assistant sound engineer: Pierre Brien
  • Copyist: Vic Fraser

 

AlexanderFYCpromoFrontDiscography

CD

  • 2004 Sony Classical, released worldwide.
  • 2004 Warner Bros. Records “For Your Consideration - Best Original Score” (promotional CDr in slimline case, includes 2 unique tracks)
  • 2004 Sony Classical SK 92942 France (alternate cover)
  • 2004 Sony Classical SK 92942 Taiwan
  • 2004 Sony Classical SK 93610 Germany (includes the bonus track ‘Bizarre Bazar’)
  • 2004 Sony Classical SK 93610 US (includes the bonus track ‘Bizarre Bazaar’)
  • 2005 Sony Classical SICP 714 Japan (alternate cover)

LP

  • 2005 Music On Vinyl MOVATM195 Europe (2LP limited edition of 1500 copies on red vinyl)

 

Recording studio

The orchestral score and choir was performed and recorded at the Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris, conducted by Nic Raine. There is no information on the release where Vangelis recorded his music, but this was most likely done in one of Vangelis' home studios in Athens.

 

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