Intrada announces an expanded edition of the 1993 Disney action-adventure film The Three Musketeers, for which composer Michael Kamen delivered a lengthy, epic score. In an unusual practice, Kamen was selected as the composer months before shooting began, a show of confidence after his work on a another, recent literary epic: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Kamen’s score for The Three Musketeers is a traditional symphonic work. In view of the Baroque era in which the story takes place, he researched and incorporated period instruments such as harpsichord, recorder and crumhorn (a double reed) into the ensemble; he also wove in ornamental trills and flourishes characteristic of the period. Many of his set pieces convey an almost classical sense of structure, with recurring devices such as the driving ostinato and associated heroic figures. Kamen’s intention was for specific instruments to be associated with each of the three Musketeers and their young protégé: trumpet, tuba, flute and French horn. Kamen also lavishes equal attention on the film’s villains—snarling, descending brass motif announces the presence of both Cardinal Richelieu and his Red Guards.
At the time of the film's release, Hollywood Records released a 42-minute album featuring highlights from the score. This new 2-CD release more than doubles the length of that original album, with a total score time of 98 minutes. A few alternates and source music appear after the complete program, as well as the complete original Hollywood Records program. For this release, Bruce Botnick remixed and mastered the entire score from the original digital masters. Neil S. Bulk along with Botnick produced the final master, and the release features notes by John Takis.
In the film, a young man named D’Artagnan (Chris O’Donnell) travels to Paris in 1625 to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the Musketeers—a corps of elite guardsmen who protect the King. By the time he arrives, however, the Musketeers have been disbanded by Cardinal Richelieu (Tim Curry), who seeks to usurp the throne from young King Louis XIII. In his brashness, D’Artagnan runs afoul of three of the Musketeers—noble Athos (Kiefer Sutherland), tempestuous Porthos (Oliver Platt) and pious Aramis (Charlie Sheen)—challenging each to a duel before the four men make common cause against Richelieu’s guards and their sinister captain, the Count de Rochefort (Michael Wincott). The four allies soon uncover a plot against the crown. In the end, the heroes band together—“All for one, and one for all!”—to cast down Richelieu, and D’Artagnan proudly takes his place as one of the Musketeers.
