Who is the chariots of fire theme by

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Cancel Save. Fan Feed. Universal Conquest Wiki. Canadian Singles Chart [7 ]. Dutch Top 40 [8 ]. Irish Singles Chart [9 ]. UK Singles Chart [11 ]. Billboard Hot [12 ]. Lauded English film producer David Puttnam was seeking a new film project, which offered sports heroism and dealt with matters of conscience.

By chance he came upon the story of runner Eric Liddell, and found exactly the tale he wanted to tell. He crafted an Academy Award winning screenplay that provided the vehicle for Puttnam to realize his vision. The story takes place in as the United Kingdom prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics. It centers on two runners whose religious beliefs are woven into the fabric of their being and competitive running.

Harold Abrahams is a Jew who sees running as a means of validating himself as a Jew and overcoming prejudice, while Eric Liddell is a devout Scottish Christian born of missionary parents, who sees running as a way of glorifying God.

Their beliefs were ultimately impactful on their placement on the team and success. Both faced obstacles yet ultimately rose to the occasion and achieved validation and victories. Hudson and Putnam resolved early in the creative process that they did not want a traditional period piece orchestral score, but instead something more modern in its sensibilities.

Given that Hudson had enjoyed previous collaborations filming documentaries and commercials with Greek electronic composer Vangelis, it was no surprise that he was hired for the project.

Additionally, given the religious undercurrents, Hudson felt church choir pieces were needed. It took some time and effort, but Vangelis finally convinced him that he could do better and was allowed to present a new original theme. Following his first listen Hudson admitted it was a much better theme, and was won over.

Vangelis composed five themes for his soundscape including the titular Chariots of Fire Theme, which has become legend. There are also two training themes, one for the British and one for the Americans.

The British Training Theme supports scenes of the British athletes training and offers a synth driven piece abounding with youthful exuberance, confidence and determination. The American Training Theme supports the training montage of the American athletes and is kindred in its kinetics. It offers a propulsive and energetic synth driven construct, which abounds with unbridled confidence as we see the coaches pushing their athletes. It was originally written as a poem by William Blake in , and is considered one of the finest in English literature.

This inspired poem was transformed in by Sir Hubert Parry who wrote music for it as a celebration of England. The confluence of lyrics and music is truly sublime, achieving a breath-taking synergy. Though incongruous with time, culture and setting, the piano and synth driven music in its own way succeeds in capturing the spirit and emotions of the scene. We shift to a few years earlier where we see Aubrey and Harold meeting at Cambridge, where both aspire to make the British Olympic team.

Traditional English choir carry a remembrance ceremony for the hundreds of former students who perished during the Great War, their names displayed on the wall. This music is not found on the album. Following the traditional freshmen dinner, we shift the to the next day where we see the men signing up for various extracurricular activity clubs. He is coached to run an impromptu race, which he graciously accepts. As the men race, he is carried by his theme, which seems more conducive to a church ceremony than a competitive race.

As Harold relates to Aubrey his intention to succeed in the study of Law, he declares boldly that he will take on each and every one, and run them off their feet. Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan. The song continues and sustains a montage, which reveals him dutifully studying, winning several races, ultimately concluding with him singing in a stage production of H.

This was well conceived and executed. The action moves to and we witness a ceremony opening a race between Scotland and France, which is carried by Scottish bagpipes supporting the French team singing Le Marseillaise.

As the race begins Eric is deliberately knocked down by a Frenchman. He is stunned, yet resumes the race propelled by his faith, which carries him with Godspeed to a stunning victory.

Vangelis supports with a grim synth line, which eventually coalesces into his theme. The music however was again underwhelming, lacking the determination, kinetics and the joyous celebration of victory. Harold is smitten with dancer Sybil Gordon and audaciously asks her to dinner, which she accepts. Their chemistry is palpable and we see a nascent love unfolding. Later in , in London, Eric and Harold face off for the first time. Something can always go wrong technically.

The rest is already there. As a Greek, he has spent much of the last year watching economic events in his own country with a growing sense of dismay, but not necessarily surprise. Greece is a very good place for experimentation. I felt many years ago that this was going to come. I'm not surprised at all. There's been a lot of mishandling of the situation on the part of the Greek governments. But, I am afraid that it is not easy for any country today to decide their own future.

The Greeks have never been in the position to exploit its endless supplies of natural resources, which every Greek citizen would benefit from. Corruption is another way for just a few to benefit. Is he happy with the results of the recent elections? It's a game. What you read is not what's happening. The whole planet is in trouble for the same reason. In other words, banking. Naturally, he sees music as the great healer. What, ultimately, does he wish to achieve through his work?

To bring hope," he says. When Vangelis is not working he listens to anything from classical music to jazz to world music. He is also a painter, something he practised alongside his music from a very early age.

In , he staged an exhibition in Spain which then toured South America. She said, 'I love your pictures Vangelis. I just hope your music is as good as your paintings'.