Just when I thought Basil Poledouris created his best work for CONAN THE BARBARIAN, along comes his score to the recent film version of LES MISÉRABLES. The quality and scope of the music presented on this album certainly qualify it as one of the greatest scores written in recent years. The music is hardly uplifting in most places, although, there are some elegant pieces that appear occasionally. Mostly the music carries with it a quite dramatic and brooding feeling. Perhaps one of this score's greatest attributes is its thematic diversity and reliability.

LES MISÉRABLES' first seconds open with a solitary oboe which, a minute into the first track, gives way to a rich orchestra. The main theme now appears and it is extremely complex, yet it is constructed in such a way that it is instantly committed to memory. There are about three noticeable areas on the disc where it is allowed to play in full. On the issue of thematic diversity, Poledouris intertwines several other creative themes into the orchestral tapestry. My favorite one is the variation on the main theme. Softly played during the quieter scenes, its four note repeating structure is a subtle joy.

Don't get me wrong, this score isn't all subdued emotions. Basil Poledouris has written an intriguingly diverse score for LES MISÉRABLES. Towards the end of the first track, the orchestra begins a very driving and urgent melody. Similar cues pop up at just the right places in the rest of the score. Determining the best part of a well-written score is almost always a difficult task. This score in particular is a tough one seeing as how every second of music is so very good. All in all, the shining part of this score comes approximately 11 minutes into the second track. The build up to a sweeping conclusion truly makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. There are just some things words aren't able to even begin to describe.

I can safely assume that this score will turn up around Oscar™ time next year with an aptly deserved nomination. So far this year, it's the only one that really qualifies. The only problem that I have with this score is the release itself. There are only four tracks(suites) and each of them are quite lengthy. Track two wins the duration prize by clocking in at over 19 minutes. And another thing, the times given on the back of the case are grossly mislabled . For example, it says track three is 22 minutes long, when in reality it is only 12. The package would have us believe that the entire disc is 65 minutes long; its true length is barely 50. In all fairness, I'm not going to let this minor blunder affect my judgement on the score itself. LES MISÉRABLES is definitely a great addition to anyone's collection. Basil Poledouris delivers yet another timeless masterpiece.

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Running Time: approx. 50 min.

Suite 1 - Valjean's Journey

• Theme from Les Misérables
• The Bishop
• Javert
• The Quarry

Suite 2 - Vigau

• Javert Suspects
• Caring for Fantine
• Valjean's Confession
• The Death of Fantine
• Flight from Vigau

Suite 3 - Paris

• Valjean and Cosette
• The Wall
• Outside
• Marius and Cosette
• Valjean Remembers

Suite 4 - The Barricades

• Funeral Attack
• Valjean Saves Marius
• Farewell
• Javert's Suicide