soothsayer's Full Review: Dances With Wolves by Original Soundtrack
Dances With Wolves is a beautiful orchestral score composed by John Barry. The music revolves around the life and experiences of the main character of the film, John Dunbar, and those around him. The music is simple, and uncomplicated. One can also hear the richness of the music, yet not be overwhelmed by the level of detail.
Dances With Wolves became very popular due to the sentimental aspects of many of the pieces. When you hear it, there is a serene feeling of optimism. Some pieces have a heroic, yet humble feel to it. The most popular piece of the score seems to be Dunbar’s Theme, but there are other tracks that are better, namely The Journey (track 3).
John Barry made liberal use of horns and violins, first made popular by Aaron Copeland in Appalachian Spring, to evoke the grandeur of the (unspoiled) American West. John Barry really did a phenomenal job with Dances With Wolves culminating with the Oscar for Best Score in 1990. Dances With Wolves is an excellent addition to any film music aficionado’s collection.
Here are some highlights from the soundtrack. My music theory is not sufficient enough for me to go too much in depth, i.e., knowing how to recognize structures and musical motifs, so I hope you forgive me.
Track 2, John Dunbar Theme.
John Dunbar is a hero for his (delirious) actions on the battlefield. Dunbar’s noble, yet sincere character is expressed with violins and a harp playing a simple, uncomplicated melody in a slow, majestic tempo.
Track 3, Journey to Fort Sedgewick.
John Dunbar’s journey begins as a lonely trek. The mood is recreated by a lone violin and trumpet quietly taking turns at a simple melody; with strings plucking in the background forming a ponderous almost tense rhythm. Using kettle drums, the tension is broken, and the piece transitions to more bolder horns and violins as Dunbar approaches Sedgewick and of unspoiled American wilderness. This is one of the best pieces in the score.
Track 6, Two Socks – The Wolf Theme.
The gentle nature of Two Socks is depicted by flute and harp playing a three note repeat. The music is serene and unthreatening.
Track 10, The Buffalo Hunt.
It is a happy time, the location of buffaloes brings promise of food and shelter for the cold winter ahead. The music is happy. Trumpet, snare drum, and violin predominate throughout. There is military march at the core of the piece, but the beat is kept snappy, and festive. Trumpets and violins revisit the Dunbar theme.
Track 11, Stands with a Fist Remembers.
Stands with a Fist is in a trance. The music is distant, and eerie sounding with piano and lone voice repeating a simple melody. Then the music explodes as Stands with a Fist remembers, with violin and subdued drums evoking disturbing memories.
Track 13, John Dunbar Theme.
The piece revisits the first John Dunbar theme using harmonica, and with symphony in the background. The music is simpler, softer, as if Dunbar was reflecting upon himself.
Track 14, Two Socks at Play.
Two Socks is at play, the Wolf’s theme is revisited, this time with violins. The music is again serene and unthreatening.
Track 16, Rescue of Dances With Wolves.
John Dunbar is going to be rescued; the fight is to be a long hard fought battle against the soldiers. The music uses a slow military march as its core theme with kettle drums kept at a steady and somber sounding beat. Horns evoke a hopeful outcome, yet, the fight is hard, and subdued sounding, brightly played drums predominate to reflect the stubbornness of the battle and of the uncertain outcome. This is another excellent piece in the score.
Track Listing:
01 Main Title - Looks Like a Suicide
02 The John Dunbar Theme
03 Journey to Fort Sedgewick
04 Ride to Fort Hayes
05 The Death of Timmons
06 Two Socks - The Wolf Theme
07 Pawnee Attack
08 Kicking Bird's Gift
09 Journey to the Buffalo Killing Ground
10 The Buffalo Hunt
11 Fire Dance (*)
12 Stands with a Fist Remembers
13 The Love Theme
14 The John Dunbar Theme
15 Two Socks at Play
16 The Death of Cisco
17 Rescue of Dances with Wolves
18 The Loss of the Journal and The Return to Winter Camp
19 Farewell and End Title
20 The John Dunbar Theme (*)
21 Dances With Wolves (*)
* The gold disc version contains previously unreleased tracks.
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