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Vangelis: Chariots of Fire

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Polydor Records
Released: 1981.08.31
Time:
 42:03
Category: Electronica
Producer(s): Vangelis
Rating: ********** (10/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.vangelisworld.com
Appears with: Aphrodites Child, Jon & Vangelis
Purchase date: 2001.04.03
Price in €: 12,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Titles (Vangelis) - 3:33
[2] Five Circles (Vangelis) - 5:20
[3] Abraham's Theme (Vangelis) - 3:20
[4] Eric's Theme (Vangelis) - 4:18
[5] 100 Metres (Vangelis) - 2:04
[6] Jerusalem (Vangelis) - 2:47
[7] Chariots of Fire (Vangelis) - 20:41

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


VANGELIS - Songwriter, Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Producer

THE AMBROSIAN SINGERS - Vocals, Performer
JOHN MCCARTHY - Director
HARRY RABINOWITZ - Arranger

RAPHAEL PRESTON - Engineer
RAINE SHINE - Engineer
JOHN WALKER - Engineer
ALWYN CLAYDEN - Art Direction, Design

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


1981 CD Polydor 800020-2
1981 LP Polydor 6335
1981 CD Atlantic 8000202
1989 CD Polygram 889969
1995 CD Mobile Fidelity 622
1995 CD Mobile Fidelity 622
1990 LP Polygram 825384
1981CS Polydor 825384-4
1981CD PolyGram 800020



Vangelis' electronic score for a film set in 1930s Britain seemed an odd match at first, but the title theme, with its echoing, manipulated rhythm box and melodic hook, became one of the most popular theme songs of the early '80s. Just hearing the opening 30 seconds conjures up — for those who have seen the film — shots of men running on the beach in slow motion, and has been borrowed, adapted, and ripped-off ever since. Suffice it to say that the other six tracks here can't quite match the punch (if that's the word for something so fey) of the title theme. Much of the rest is very sappy, if often melodic, proto-smooth jazz with a burnish of electronic screeches, washes, and fuzzy fake strings. If it works for the insular "Five Circles," it doesn't for "100 Metres," which so desperately wants to be Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" but can't quite get there with its watery synths — suddenly you realize what a full orchestral arrangement could have added. Side two is a side-long "suite" of the themes on side one, created, one feels, to fill up space. Vangelis went on to snag more soundtrack work, notably Blade Runner.

Ted Mills, All-Music Guide



Most everyone is familiar with the romantic piano-and-synthesizer washes of the surprise instrumental hit "Titles (Main Theme)" from this 1981 film soundtrack. What is surprising is there's a lot more going on with this score. Greek keyboardist/composer had been recording albums for years before this soundtrack catapulted him into fame. He'd even been asked to join the prog rock band Yes at one point. He was wise to pass on the offer. Here you can hear the breadth of his talent at creating dreamy moods with synthesizers and classically inspired backdrops. Some of this music, however, doesn't quite hold its own without the visuals. Anyone looking for a stronger, more rock-like record by Vangelis should pick up Albedo 0.39.

Larry Crane, Amazon.com



Evangelos Papathanassiou macht die Synthesizer-Tastatur gern zur Schokoladen-Tafel: Als Vangelis schuf der Grieche zuckersüße Orchestermusik, die vor allem bei der Untermalung dramatischer Filmbilder gefragt war - und das nicht erst seit Henry Maskes Conquest Of Paradise. Bereits 1981 stieß Regisseur Hugh Hudson auf den Elektronik-Odysseus und ließ ihn die Musik zu seinem züchtigen Epos Chariots Of Fire (Die Stunde des Siegers) komponieren: eine sahnige Kalorienbombe zwischen Kunst und Kitsch, die von der Goldverpackung hörbar profitiert.

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