Themes (CD - 1989)

Photographer: Stathis Zalidis.

Arranger: Vangelis.

Finally, someone got wise and noticed the absence of Vangelis' superb soundtracks on CD. Hats off to 'em, as now anyone enamored of Vangelis' work on BLADE RUNNER, THE BOUNTY, or some of his more obscure projects now has reason to rejoice. BLADE RUNNER has since been made available in its entirety, but the taste offered earlier on THEMES did much to sate the senses before the full soundtrack's release.

THEMES is most notable for featuring Vangelis' now-signature theme from CHARIOTS OF FIRE, the main theme from Costa-Gavras' MISSING, and the opening and closing sections from THE BOUNTY. The latter remain some of the composer's most underrated and majestic works. THE BOUNTY's opening theme is a twilight excursion into the unknown hinterlands, with whistling electronics and isolationist synth harnessed to a clanking percussive pattern. The closing theme, a somber mass of deep-ocean synths and yearning rhythms, echoes the film's sacrificial ending. A case study in electronics rendered with intellect. minimize