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Composed and Conducted by:
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Howard Shore
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"Heart and Soul" by:
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Hoagy Carmichael
Frank Loesser
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Release Date:
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November, 2002
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Audio Clips:
5. New York (0:30), 151K big5.ra
13. The Envelope (0:29), 146K big13.ra
18. Goodbye and End Titles (0:31), 156K big18.ra
26. End Titles (Alternate) (0:30), 150K big26.ra
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Availability:
The 2002 Varèse Sarabande Album is a 2-CD set is a "Limited Collector's Edition" of 3,000 copies and is available only through the label's site or through online soundtrack specialty outlets. Catalog number: VCL 1102 1015
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Filmtracks Recommends:
Buy it... if you have some extra money to spend on a lovable,
lightweight score for a comedy classic.
Avoid it... if you haven't been charmed by the film and/or have
nightmares about encountering one of those walking pianos in a toy store.
Filmtracks Editorial Review:
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Big: (Howard Shore) How delightful it is that a film
like Big can change so many careers. It was a watershed event for
both Tom Hanks and director Penny Marshall, and, to an extent, it helped
expand notice for a somewhat obscure composer at the time named Howard
Shore. Never expected to be a hit success, Big was the kind of
lovable film that grew out of word of month until it stormed through the
awards season of 1988-1989, with a wealth of praise spread around to the
entire production team. Howard Shore was still leagues away from his blast
into the mainstream with the Lord of the Rings films (and several
dark thrillers in between). For people who became familiar with Shore mainly
due his efforts in that horror and suspense genre (Silence of the
Lambs, Crash, Seven, etc), hearing Big may be a
surprise. Long-time film music fans have recognized Big, though, as
one of the more noteworthy unreleased works on CD in the past twenty years.
Shore's creative job of scoring the romance alongside the adaptation of
outside music for the most memorable scenes in the film was not lost on many
who enjoyed the film. The highlight of the film --and arguably a classic
scene in the history of cinema-- is the "Toy Store Walking Piano" dance that
playfully adapts "Heart and Soul" from the perspective of a child in a grown
man's body.
While "Heart and Soul," which is adapted on a fabulously
swinging, larger scale by Shore for the end credits of the film, steals the
hearts of most audience members, Shore's score is a more diverse one than
you might expect. His task included realistic music for the romance, New
York, boyhood fun, and, of course, a creepy carnival. The result of his
efforts may not be overwhelming for the listener, but Shore adequately hits
every note, standing on scene during the shooting of the film, and
repeatedly rescoring scenes until the desired effect was achieved. The light
band jazz, orchestral romance, and adaptations are all well performed,
though they never lose sight of the genre of light comedy for which they
were written. Thus, Big is a lightweight score with a tremendous
heart. Even as presented finally on a generous, hour-long album by Varese
Sarabande, it is difficult to take Big seriously, though judging from
the alternate takes, Shore did originally have a more dramatic (including
choral) score in mind. While some of the magic transfers over from the film
onto the album, don't expect to be blown away by it. The album is a Club
release, with only 3,000 in circulation, and unless you are swept away by
light comedy efforts (and, in this case, a desire to hear that walking piano
at work!), then think twice before putting this album on your shelf next to
The Lord of the Rings albums. It's a contemporary score with pleasant
themes and an often playful attitude, but be sure to hear the score in the
film before investing in the only available, higher-priced album. For
others, though, it's guaranteed to scratch another much needed score on CD
off of that want list. ***
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Viewer Ratings and Comments:
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• 1. Opening (2:53)
• 2. Calliope (2:34)
• 3. Zoltar (3:05)
• 4. Waking Up (3:37)
• 5. New York (1:19)
• 6. Alone in the Hotel (0:28)
• 7. Toy Store Walking Piano (includes "Heart and Soul") (1:56)
• 8. To Bed (1:35)
• 9. Racquetball (1:54)
• 10. Falling in Love (1:16)
• 11. Moonlight Serenade (composed by Glenn Miller) (2:58)
• 12. Josh and Susan (2:23)
• 13. The Envelope (1:50)
• 14. Visiting Home It's in Every One of Us (composed by David Pomeranz) (3:16)
• 15. The Confession (0:41)
• 16. Billy and Mom (1:14)
• 17. Finding Zoltar (4:32)
• 18. Goodbye and End Titles (includes "Heart and Soul") (8:00)
Bonus Tracks:
• 19. Waking Up (Alternate) (3:50)
• 20. New York (Alternate) (1:16)
• 21. Visiting Home (Alternate) (3:02)
• 22. Visiting Home (Alternate #2) (1:45)
• 23. Billy and Mom (Alternate) (1:11)
• 24. Goodbye Part One (Alternate) (1:36)
• 25. Goodbye Part Two (Alternate) (3:22)
• 26. End Titles (Alternate) (1:35)
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The limited edition Varèse Sarabande set has its usual standard of excellent, in-depth analysis of the score and film.
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