Russian film music label KeepMoving Records issues Eckart Seeber’s epic orchestral fantasy score for To the Ends of Time (1996). Marking the directorial debut of former Hollywood prop master Markus Rothkranz, the film tells the story of a mystical kingdom where an evil witch takes over the control of time. Generations fade away within days and when a young lad is suddenly forced to grow up, he takes it upon himself to break the curse. The movie is memorable for its nostalgic fantasy setting that involves giant castles, flying ships and trained animals - all achieved through practical visual effects as opposed to CGI...

To the Ends of Time is the second Eckart Seeber soundtrack release from KeepMoving Records. Like his score for Shadow Builder, To the Ends of Time represents yet another huge collection of interesting themes.

If anything this is even more impressive than his excellent work on Shadow Builder. I think it's the fact that he encapsulates so much of what was great about '80s/'90s cinema in just one score that makes this an essential purchase.

Tracks like 'Alexander Returns' bring to mind the work of John Barry (especially his score for Dances With Wolves (1990)) and Basil Poledouris's work on The Hunt for Red October (1990). In fact Poledouris seems to be quite a large inspiration for this score. There are also little nods to James Horner's Cocoon (1985) in tracks like 'Morlin Ships' and David Shire's wonderful score to Return to Oz (1985) in 'Stephanie's Gift' and 'The Funeral / Kindred Spirits'. In fact, if you can think of any hollywood composer who was delivering epic scores in the '80s/'90s then Seeber encapsulates them all right here in this soundtrack.

There's also the odd nod to operatic and classical music. There's a homage to 'Nessun Dorma' from the final act of Puccini's Turandot in 'The Aftermath / The Commissioning', and the ending to 'The Scroll' gives a cheeky wink to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Seeber originally released this score through his Sonovide label, but that release was a lot shorter. This reissue contains the whole work with around 20 minutes of previously unreleased music, plus a 12-page booklet featuring liner notes by Gergely Hubai, discussing the creation of the film and score based on interviews with the director and the composer. This release contains 39 tracks (1 hr, 19 min).

It really is one of the most epic scores you'll ever hear. Not a track or beat is wasted. Another essential purchase to add to your soundtrack collection.

10

Darren Rea