Schindler's List
Because he's long been stereotyped by the rousing neo-romantic adventure scores for theStar Wars,Indiana Jones, andJurassic Parkfranchises, it's easy to forget that composerJohn Williamsis hardly idiomatically challenged. When Steven Spielberg gratifyingly used the clout of his enormous commercial success to produce and direct this brave Holocaust drama, his longtime musical collaborator used the opportunity to display both the depth and maturity of his musical gifts and training, producing a score with sad, evocative melodies frequently carried by the violin of the great Itzhak Perlman. Rich with ethnic nuance and showcasing the composer's masterful orchestral/choral subtlety, Williams's emotionally compelling score forSchindler's Listalso won the Academy Award for Best Dramatic Score.--Jerry McCulley