June 27, 2022
Intrada Releases Magnum opus WILLOW score by James Horner
James Horner’s beloved score to WILLOW Ron Howard’s 1988’s fantasy adventure given expanded 2-CD set by Intrada. From a by George Lucas and script by Bob Dolman WILLOW follows evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) imprisons all pregnant women in her domain to prevent the birth of a baby prophesied to bring about the end of her reign. The foretold baby is born and cast adrift, with Bavmorda, her vicious Nockmaar Hounds, and her army in pursuit. Enter Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) and his fellow Nelwyns, who find the infant. A perilous adventure ensues that involves the Brownies, a fairy queen, an aging enchantress… and flamboyant rogue and expert swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer).
James Horner took inspiration from rousing action and swordplay as well as the fantastic special effects made by ILM, including landmark early use of digital morphing technology, a CGI breakthrough. Horner showcases his energetic youthful big-orchestra vernacular on one hand while balancing with his newly-maturing severe, intense musical vocabulary, resulting in incredibly wide-ranging score. Besides its colorful array of material, the score is also notable for several lengthy cues, amongst the longest of the composer’s career. Massive pieces often play as movements of a symphony, developing ideas with cohesion, complexity, generating considerable tension, then relief.
The original 1988 album generously featured over 70 minutes of music but the film’s wall-to-wall scoring included over 100 minutes of music – which is now available on this Intrada 2-CD presentation with some 107 minutes of music, including a wealth of previously unavailable cues. Cover artwork by John Alvin, package design by Kay Marshall, booklet notes by Frank DeWald.
For more details see Intrada.
