HIDALGO

Label: Hollywood 2061-62419-2
Date: 2004
Tracks: 14
Time = 45:38

Original soundtrack from Joe Johnston movie with Viggo Mortensen as 1890 Pony Express rider who enters dangerous race in Saudi Arabia. James Newton Howard manages skillful juxtaposition of Americana western-style with Middle Eastern color. Each world gets its own voice. Ethnic flavors include Duduk, Ney, Kawala, DoubleViolin, Oud, Bouzouki. Americana segments offer large orchestra, expressive melody, thundering excitement. Effective blend of solo colors (trumpet, woodwinds) as well. Howard places equal emphasis on harmony as well as melody. Resulting themes enjoy rich chord progressions to work around. Intense, aggressive highlight: "Sandstorm". Final cue opens up, offers emotional reading, then resolves with beautiful close. Howard wins the race!