There's a huge abundance of themes, so many I could not even begin to catalog them. Many of the orchestrations are detailed and precise like only Herrmann could do. Except one had to sit 30 feet behind the mike. I wish there had been more action music, though. This album contains some truly wonderful and innovative dramatic underscore, but it is underscore none the less.
Great tracks abound.
The opening track, immediately introducing the choir, is a spectacular start. The Death of Merit is truly frightening, turning the love theme tragic and creepy, with a nearly avante-garde choral sound begging for help. As with many album like this, much of the best material is in the second half, when the movie really gets rolling. This is a rerecording, performed by the newly-formed Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The performance is perfect, and not only is this the first digital recording of The Egyptian, it's also the first release that's even in stereo.