1492 - CONQUEST OF PARADISE (OST)

It's difficult to write about a soundtrack without mentioning the material that it was purposely written for. In the case of 1492 - Conquest Of Paradise, it's a 1992 movie by Ridley Scott. Did you notice the two dates? No, it's by no means an accident. This coincidence actually holds the key to why this movie wasn't as great as it was intended to be. It's simply a rushed production that took liberties with its source material. In result it became an overblown snooze-fest of a movie that has been bashed by critics and public alike, placing Scott's career into a ditch for the next eight years.

Fortunately, there isn't a logical regression between movies and soundtracks. Instead, it works generally in favor of the soundtracks. Allow me to explain --- If a movie is good, the soundtrack is generally a hit as well no matter of its quality, mainly because bad soundtracks to good movies still remind its listeners of the good movie that it was made for. A bad movie, on the other hand, doesn't automatically result in a bad soundtrack and 1492 - Conquest Of Paradise is a perfect example of just that.

Not only can this soundtrack be enjoyed without the listener ever seeing the movie, but I would actually consider it to be an obligatory requirement! The title track is now considered a world renowned score that has been copied numerous times but has still not been outmatched in its excellence. The rest of of material is equally enjoyable and I really like that Vangelis separated the dramatic sections with masterful meditative moments. Overall, an excellent album for all fans of beautiful and peaceful instrumental music.

***** star songs: Conquest Of Paradise (4:38) Light And Shadow (3:47) Eternity (1:59)

**** star songs: Monastery Of La Rabida (3:39) City Of Isabel (2:16) Deliverance (3:29) West Across The Ocean Sea (2:53) Hispanola (4:57) Moxica And The Horse (7:06) Twenty Eighth Parallel (5:14) Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria (Into Enternity) (13:20)

*** star songs: Opening (1:22)

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