Cat No. JM50115
Price £64.95
Composer: John Williams
Arranger: Philip Sparke
Category: FILM MUSIC

From the Paramount & Dreamworks Motion Picture Saving Private Ryan.

In his foreword to the published orchestral score of Hymn to the Fallen, John Williams writes:

“Saving Private Ryan is certainly one of Steven Spielberg’s most powerful films. The accumulative effect of his great photography and the splendid performances contained in the film combine to produce a jolting emotional impact, particularly in the closing moments of the movie.
Preparing the music for this portion of the film presented a particular challenge in that the music needed to be effectively reverent in tone while still being quiet and simple enough so as not to intrude on the private reflections of each viewer. It occurred to me that the music could be vocal, at least to the extent that it featured a choral texture but without relying on a written text that might present a distraction for the audience. I do however feel that the piece can be performed effectively with orchestra alone.

In writing the music, the fallen heroes shown in the film were constantly in my mind and it is to the memory of the real-life heroes portrayed so convincingly in the film that I have the privilege of dedicating this music.”
Philip Sparke has transcribed this moving work for concert band, brass band and fanfare, using Mr. Williams published orchestral score as a source. No attempt has been made to simplify the music and the transcriptions aim to reproduce the original score as accurately as possible. The only concession has been to transpose the brass band version down a semitone where it sits more comfortably.

The composer maintains that Hymn to the Fallen can be performed without the wordless chorus, and this is certainly true. However the full emotional impact of the piece is greatly enhanced by the addition of the chorus and to this end separate chorus parts are available for all of the three versions.