Cosmos: a spacetime odyssey - Volume II

Volume 2 of Alan Silvestri Cosmos soundtrack music premieres on CD with bonus tracks! Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey is epic 2014 continuation of famed Carl Sagan television series from 1980. New series features Neil deGrasse Tyson as host with cutting edge CGI, animation, science fact blending into new, compelling journey through space and time. Along for the ride, sometimes leading, sometimes in tow is rich symphonic score by Alan Silvestri. As with Volume 1, Silvestri melds powerful symphonic moments with intimate lines, sometimes enveloping them in rich swirling strings, other times enrobing them in lively electronic rhythms. In fact, second score gives emphasis to rhythm as visuals unfold, with exploration of relationships between all living things. Artificial selection, dog breeds evolving from the hand of man, natural selection sculpting the human eye, the microscopic molecule, other cosmic wonders all receive solid musical support. ''S.O.T.I.'' launches score with regal French horns leading to lively opening statement of primary theme. Exciting flourishes for orchestra punctuate. ''You and Me and Your Dog'' opens in similar manner, then melts into warm new material, all the while maintaining forward motion. Florid colors from harp, celesta, bell tree add to beautiful sonority. ''Interspecies Partnership'' brings in degree of intensity with dramatic rhythms from cellos and basses, lean French horn lines melding into new melodic material. ''Artificial Selection'' takes orchestra in yet another direction with haunting new theme leading to dramatic statement in brass, then returning to primary theme in violins over woodwinds while maintaining rhythmic drive. And so it continues until ''Genetic Alphabet'' finally allows Silvestri to display his mastery of combining orchestral colors with his synthetic vocabulary. Rich highlight: stirring new theme during ''Natural Selection'' emerges midway with French horns, strings taking center stage. Volume 2 offers 18 selections in all. As with Volume 1, Intrada release of Volume 2 on CD premieres bonus tracks not available anywhere else, including dramatic alternate version of opening ''S.O.T.I.'' This is the second in Intrada's series of four volumes devoted to Silvestri's magnificent score for Cosmos. Lavishly recorded by Simon Rhodes at Abbey Road in London, mixed by Dennis Sands, mastered by Patricia Sullivan at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Mark Graham, Gavin Greenaway, Alan Silvestri conduct. Intrada Special Collection CD available while quantities and interest remain!