Schindler’s List (John Williams)
(1993)
Widely considered Steven Spielberg’s best film (although E.T. just tops it for me), Schindler’s List was based upon the novel “Schindler’s Ark” by Thomas Keneally and a screenplay by Steven Zallian. The film tells the story of Oskar Schindler and his efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust. Spielberg’s work is one of the most admirable directorial efforts in film history, and he maintains to this day that Schindler’s List is the most emotionally challenging of all the films he has directed. The film swept through the Oscars in 1994, earning a long overdue Best Director win for Spielberg (and most of the Oscars the film didn’t win went to Jurassic Park, also directed by Spielberg). Among the seven Oscars the film took home was a fifth win for composer John Williams, who created one of the most emotional and moving musical works in cinema history. Many film score fans have argued that this is Williams’ finest work, but to be honest, it just isn’t right to compare a score like this to E.T. or Indiana Jones. Schindler’s List stands on its own.
Williams’ initial reaction to Spielberg after viewing the film for the first time was, “you need a better composer than I am for this film”, to which Spielberg apparently replied, “I know, but they’re all dead!” Williams hired famed violinist Itzhak Perlman to perform the violin solos for the film, and he himself performed the piano solos heard in over the start of the end credits. The main theme of the film is now rightly considered a classic, with Perlman’s performance giving it just the right sound and feel. The secondary theme is introduced in the cue “Remembrances”, with the beautiful clarinet performances being a particular highlight. Both these themes are expanded upon significantly throughout the score, and have been performed as concert pieces by Williams on numerous occasions. A third, but not so widely used theme is heard in the second cue, “Jewish Town”. It is violin led, but joined by an orchestral backing halfway or so through. A choral element is introduced into the score for the first time in the cue “Immolation”, a piece which accompanies what is possibly the most disturbing scene in the film.
The nearly ten minute long piece, “Schindler’s Workforce”, begins with a somewhat funeral like theme, which then at around two minutes in becomes a march like piece, menacing at first, but towards the end it becomes more optimistic. Another choral piece is heard in the next cue, “OYF’N Pripetshok / Nacht Aktion”, which is based on a Jewish folk song.
“I Could Have Done More” is probably the score’s most emotional moment, which introduces a new powerful theme alongside the main one, accompanying the scene where Schindler breaks down in front of Itzhak Stern as he and his wife are fleeing Germany. Nothing can prepare you for what is to follow however, with the cue “Auschwitz-Birkenau”, with the wailing violin performances highlighting the horrors of the concentration camp. “Stolen Memories” contains a beautiful woodwind performance of the score’s secondary theme, as well as a brief guitar rendition of the main theme near the end. The next one, “Making The List”, features a performance by the string section of that secondary theme, with the solo violin coming in towards the end. “Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav” features the score’s final choral element.
The solo violin returns for the reprise of the “Remembrances” cue. The final track on the soundtrack album begins with Williams’ piano performance of the score’s main theme, and close with a rendition by the string section of the orchestra.
I realise that this review may be somewhat lacking in detail and depth, but the fact is that a written review of this score cannot do it justice, no matter how hard you try, so the only real way to experience the power of this artistic masterpiece is to hear it for yourself. Make sure you see the film as well. Both are the best of the 90’s.
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Track Listing
1. Theme from Schindler’s List (4:14)
2. Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto – Winter ’41) (4:40)
3. Immolation (With Our Lives, We Give Life) (4:43)
4. Remembrances (4:20)
5. Schindler’s Workforce (9:08)
6. OYF’N Pripetshok / Nacht Aktion (2:56)
7. I Could Have Done More (5:52)
8. Auschwitz-Birkenau (3:40)
9. Stolen Memories (4:20)
10. Making the List (5:10)
11. Give Me Your Names (4:54)
12. Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) (2:17)
13. Remembrances (with Itzhak Perlman) (5:16)
14. Theme from Schindler’s List (Reprise) (2:59)
Credits
Music Composed, Conducted and Produced by John Williams
Orchestrations by John Neufeld
Violin Solos by Itzhak Perlman
Piano Solos by John Williams
Awards
Academy Award for Best Original Score (Won)
BAFTA Award for Best Music (Won)
Grammy Award for Best Score (Won)
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score (nominated)
Insert Notes
None – Purchased as MP3 Download
All images and artwork are Copyright © MCA Records
