Search - Marc Shaiman :: The American President: Original Score From The Motion Picture

Hypnotic - A Gorgeous Soundtrack

anneelise | Wyandotte, MI United States | 12/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Movie soundtracks are some of my favorite recorded music, as it helps me relive a well-loved movie, and often provides a lovely background for me while I read or knit. The movie itself is wonderful, a romance you can really lose yourself in. The best music will do that, as this does. The main theme has become so popular in other movie trailers that it took me a long time to figure out where I'd originally heard it, so I'm delighted to be able to hear it whenever I like. I highly recommend this recording."

"American President" Score has Class and Eloquence

Nancy M. Smith | Ellicott City, MD United States | 04/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marc Shaiman's soundtrack for the movie "The American President" is the perfect complement to this classy film. Eloquent and simple in its scoring, Shaiman's music is lovely throughout the CD. His style brings simultaneously to mind the purity of American values amid Washington politics, and evokes the music of the late Aaron Copland, composer of the score to the ballet "Billy the Kid" and the movie "The Red Pony." His wonderful instrumentation helps to further the American ambience and backdrop to the story of the Widower President Shepherd who falls unwittingly in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade. Shaiman's score features noble tunes accompanied by Revolutionary period-style music that might make the listener think of such legendary American figures as Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The album winds through the movie's plot in its presentation of the various themes and tunes, taking the listener for a musical journey reminiscent of the fine Romantic nature of the film. The soaring music of the final scene featuring President Shepherd entering an applauding Congress for his State of the Union Address brings tears to my eyes every time I see the movie, and pride to my heart as an American citizen, as I listen to this wonderful music."

An American Symphonic Delight

Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 05/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marc Shaiman has a knack for writing gorgeous themes and this is one of his best. The theme, while drawing similarities to Thomas Newman's theme for The Shawshank Redemption, is simply breathtaking. The music itself is fully scored for orchestra with lots of warmth and passion put into the performance. "Main Titles" launches the theme right from the start, as well as in "President Shepherd" and "End Credits", which leaves the listener simply breathless at the end. If the theme is so good, what is the rest of the music like? It is not just plain filler music like you would probably expect, droning in the background. It holds its ground and serves the film and as a standalone listening experience. "Call Me Andy", "I Like Her", "The First Kiss", and "Camp David" contain wonderfully played pianos, lush strings, and warm woodwinds, with subtle quotes of the theme popping up here and there. "Meet the Press", "Gathering Votes", and "Never Have An Airline Strike at Christmas" (don't we all wish!) are more driving in nature with the use of snare drums and frantic string passages. The total length of the album is 39 minutes, which is plenty and really serves its purpose well. If you haven't already guessed by now - get this soundtrack! You'll be glad you did!"