Horner: An American Tail
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: James Horner
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Orchestra
- ISBN:
- Size: 9.0 x 11.8 inches
- Pages: 260
Description
When Jerry Goldsmith encouraged Steven Spielberg to see The Secret of NIMH (1982)—Don Bluth's animated film about a tenacious field mouse seeking help from a colony of intelligent rats—the director loved it so much that he asked Bluth to do it again — only this time starring Jewish émigré mice. David Kirschner penned the story, and Spielberg and Bluth worked tirelessly to produce Universal's beloved classic from 1986, An American Tail. Part of the film's success was due to the involvement of young composer James Horner, who contributed two elements: a richly melodic score and a massively successful pop song, Somewhere Out There, co-written with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Horner followed the same sweeping and epic approach Goldsmith used in his score for NIMH, eschewing the "mickey-mouse" style favored since the 40s. Instead, the music ebbs and flows and isn't necessarily tailored to change at every gag or cut. The symphonic gestures transcend each scene while simultaneously supporting them. While the score is uniformly excellent, a few highlights include the main title sequence, the storm sequence, the setting of the poem Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor" by Emma Lazarus, and the Mouse of Minsk sequence. Throughout every corner of the score, one can trace the evolution of this talented composer, still in his early thirties.
For the first time, musicians, music students, conductors – any music lover – can study An American Tail in this durable, high-quality edition, carefully reproduced and edited from the original scores.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Horner: An American Tail
