Truly Epic Music

[Generation ABXY]

I’m looking for some truly epic music, the kind you often hear movies scored to. I’d really prefer it if it was classical instruments (that is to say, no electric guitar and such) and, for the most part, no singing, unless we’re talking powerful choral chanting or something. I’m talking things like the soundtracks for Dune (the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel one), Lord of the Rings, etc. (If you need any specific examples, let me know.) Any suggestions – especially ones that have an accompanying YouTube video – would be greatly appreciated.

[GigaFuzz]

Hans Zimmer, Gladiator, The Battle

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[Shadowstorm]

Howard Shore! (But I am sure you already know this)

www.last.fm/music/Howard+Shore/ (http://www.last.fm/music/Howard+Shore/)

I've got some more, but my other computer is giving me problems (it's the one where my music files are). I'll be sure to get back to this thread.

[axion]

Clint Mansell - Lux Aeterna
/thread
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[Karmakin]

Death is the Road to Awe from The Fountain

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It starts slow, but the last few minutes are amazing.

Edit: Holy crap. Two Clint Mansell posts in a row.

Now we can say /thread.

[GigaFuzz]

Clint Mansell - Lux Aeterna
/thread

Indeed. The 'Reqiuem for a Tower' covers used in The Two Towers trailer (and countless others since) are nice as well, but aren't full tracks. :(

[JRR006]

Wagner?

Just grabbed the first thing off YouTube, it's part of Der Ring des Niebelungen (forgive my spelling):

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[rvieira]

You probably already look at star wars soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVA80Z6GNwQ).
Blade Runner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJrOVLEUBgw) has some great tunes too, and I always liked John Rambo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ln6uijHXw) and Conan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZY2mRG5mzg) soundtracks.

[Shadowstorm]

I third Clint Mansell.

[Generation ABXY]

You probably already look at star wars soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVA80Z6GNwQ).
Blade Runner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJrOVLEUBgw) has some great tunes too, and I always liked John Rambo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ln6uijHXw) and Conan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZY2mRG5mzg) soundtracks.

Ah, I'm not much a fan of the Star Wars music (not that I hate it, I just think I've grown tired of it), but I'll certainly go along with the Rambo tune. As it turns out, that is actually the guy who did the music for Children of Dune.

It's not really epic, but I do so enjoy this piece from that movie:

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[Crittias]

There Will Be Blood soundtrack, by Jonny Greenwood (member of Radiohead):
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The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack by Peter Gabriel (my all-time favorite soundtrack):
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[The Iron Weasel]

AMON AMARTH!

Twilight of the Thunder God
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Epic Viking Metal. (Really Melodic Death Metal but its still epic)

Live for the Kill
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[rvieira]

As it turns out, that is actually the guy who did the music for Children of Dune.

I really need to hunt down a DVD copy of Children of Dune, the book was really good and everyone always talk good things about the movie.

[Vandabo]

Globus - Preliator

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The original Dune theme by Toto

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[Nikjitsu]

hans zimmer also did some good work on The Last Samurai

[Codicier]

E.S. Posthumus. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.S._Posthumus)

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[Vandabo]

Some more:

Last of the Mohicans - Promentory (one of my all time favorites, kind of celtic sounding)

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Man on Fire score - Harry Gregson-Williams (most of the songs are awesome)

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[Generation ABXY]

Ah, the Last of the Mohicans one is quite nice. I know some people hate it, but I actually really liked that movie.

[Vandabo]

Ah, the Last of the Mohicans one is quite nice. I know some people hate it, but I actually really liked that movie.

I love that movie. Great music and scenery and badass injun fightin. It's so rare to see movies set during the French and Indian war too.

[President Fred]

Mahler - 2nd symphony "resurrection"
Mahler - 6th symphony "tragic"
Berlioz - symphony "fantastique"
Bruch - In memorium
Bruckner - 2nd symphony "romantic" (slightly slow but epic)
Nielsen - Inextinguishable Symphony
Shostakovich - 9th symphony
Shostakovich - 10th symphony

Slightly Sci-fi
Messiaen Turangalîla-Symphonie Sym. No. 3

And as an after thought
Beethovens 9th symphony

Those are some suggestions. All of these have been used I think quite extensively in tv shows and movies. And Messiaen's Turangalila, in my opinion together with Shostakovich, influenced a lot of sci-fi music.

[BLeeP]

This might not fit your criteria perfectly, but I think you will like what you hear:

Cake - Arco Arena

Ignore the animatic, though...I couldn't find much else to work with.

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[Jeffool]

I'm constantly amazed by the work Sam Spence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Spence) does for NFL Films. I don't give a shit about football, but I'll gladly watch a production fo theirs given the amazing production values and score.
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[evilgoodwin]

Romeo + Juliet: O Verona (Trust me when I say you've heard this in a movie trailer)
The Thin Red Line - Journey to the Line (Hans Zimmer)

I'll list albums now that I enjoy and have an "Epic" feel.

The Abyss
The Mummy (seriously)
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Very much enjoy this one, aside from the movie)
Hellboy
Dragonheart
Armageddon Score
A Beautiful Mind
Pirates of the Caribbean
13th Warrior

Metal Gear has GREAT music, thanks to Harry-Gregson Williams scoring it.

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[CES]

Just about any composer who is part of Hans Zimmer's Remote Control Productions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Control_Productions) has what you're looking for.

When you look at the list of composers in that company, they make up pretty much all the "big name" composers in the industry though.

[Khrymsyn]

I'm sorry... but I got to put this in here...

Truth and Reconciliation - Martin O'Donnell
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But if you want something a little more "classical" and less tied to a commercial property, I can recommend :

Holst - Mars, Bringer of War
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Yet, another one I love is In the Hall of the Mountain King, but to give it a slight modern twist of flavor, I've linked the Apocolyptica version (with some sort of claymation!?)
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[OrigamiPanther]

Personally, I don't believe you can go wrong with some of Bear McCreary's stuff from the BSG series (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymwf2ucOfQ0). Excellent blend of non-traditional orchestral instruments with percussion to give it an added kick.

[Psykoboy2]

There's a few production companies out there who do NOTHING but music for film trailers.

Globus (http://cdbaby.com/cd/globus) is one of those companies.

[Generation ABXY]

Mahler - 2nd symphony "resurrection"
Mahler - 6th symphony "tragic"
Berlioz - symphony "fantastique"
Bruch - In memorium
Bruckner - 2nd symphony "romantic" (slightly slow but epic)
Nielsen - Inextinguishable Symphony
Shostakovich - 9th symphony
Shostakovich - 10th symphony

Slightly Sci-fi
Messiaen Turangalîla-Symphonie Sym. No. 3

And as an after thought
Beethovens 9th symphony

Those are some suggestions. All of these have been used I think quite extensively in tv shows and movies. And Messiaen's Turangalila, in my opinion together with Shostakovich, influenced a lot of sci-fi music.

Huh, I have about 20 CD's - that's all I listen to, with few exceptions (Queen, Heart, AC/DC and Joan Jett) - and, apart from Beethoven, I don't think a single one of those. I'll look into all of 'em, thanks.

Oh, and keep it up guys - I'm creating quite the list!