Horner opens with "A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics." It comepletely draws the listener, or watcher (if viewing the movie), in. The music literally sounds like a Kaleidoscope, as if one could litterally HEAR the different colors ... and yet not randomly, but in a cohesive mathimatical way. And then, approximately one and a half minutes into the piece, a sobering, more pensive movement, yet colored again with the interesting flurishes abundant in the first minute and a half.

I've never reviewed music before, but have been an avid listener to scores and soundtracks for years. This, along with the single piece from Castaway by Alan Silvestri, and both the scores from Empire of the Sun and Hook by John Williams, TOPS the list of all time favorites. Check 'em out!


Can't Get Enough   August 29, 2008
S. Carpenter (CA, U.S.A.)
Strangely, and not by design, this CD is playing in the background as I write. I often play it as a soothing background. I also play it while fighting evil in the World of Warcraft, who's musical score was also done by James Horner. It is my opinion that James Horner's scoring is nearly half of what makes World of Warcraft so popular.

"A Beautiful Mind" is one of James Horner's most accomplished scores. I salute his ability to subtley and powerfully express the fine line between sanity and insanity. Most composers would overdo it, but not Horner. He seemingly strolls through difficult scenes with just exactly the right mixture of foreshadow and crescendo, and much breadth of feeling in all that lies between those extremes. James Horner also scored "Braveheart", "Titanic", "Ledgends of the Fall" and countless other award-winning movies. I believe James Horner's scores are timeless.

Most of this particular CD "A Beautiful Mind" is instrumental, with only one song having vocals: "All Love Can Be", which is a beautiful love song. Makes great meditational music as well.

Can you wear a CD out? I guess I'll find out, as I enjoy this one immensely.


Put it on and hit the repeat button   January 1, 2004
MCB (Raleigh, NC United States)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

This soundtrack is like LOTR in that you can put it on in the background and play it over and over.
Highly recommended!


decieving   July 8, 2006
Mr. Thomas E. Armbruster Jr.
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

I did not know I had to buy a special Cd player for this 16 dollar cd. They range from 300-500 dollers.

My bad. I guess I had to read the FINE PRINT.

bad description, especially when this cd format is not widely known.