Prince of Egypt Collectors Edition

The Prince of Egypt Collectors Edition Composed by Hans Zimmer   Rating: 6/10

If Only for Two Tracks
by Christopher Coleman

This special release found in Wal-Mart's special PRINCE OF EGYPT collectors package, is a great release, despite its feeble six track length. There are two tracks by Hans Zimmer not released on The Prince of Egypt score CD and one vocal track which does appear on the released score. They are two very important pieces and equally enjoyable.

The two original score tracks sandwich samplings from the two other CD releases bearing the name of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT: THE INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM and THE NASHVILLE ALBUM. I own the inspirational version and found it only so-so, since none of the tracks appear in the film. God forbid that I ever own any Country and Western CDs! To my surprise the lone cut from the Nashville album is tolerable and, dare I say it, even enjoyable. In any case, these other tracks are not the reason to try to get your hands on this CD.

The score for THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is some of the freshest work Zimmer has produced and along with THE THIN RED LINE, represents a new and welcome style for the composer. This score was nominated for an Academy award for 1998 and should have won. THE PRINCE OF EGYPT was certainly one of the top scores for 1998.   The two previously unreleased score tracks consist of "It's Only the Beginning" (1) and "The Chariot Race" (7).

"It's Only the Beginning" is a slow and determined piece that underscores one of the face-offs between Moses and Rameses.  Within the piece, several of the main motifs can be heard starting with a light performance of the When You Believe-motif.  It transitions to Pharoah's theme, followed by the God/miracle theme and is wrapped up with a menacing exclamation and descent.  "The Chariot Race" not only features the high-energy, cue which immediately follows the "Deliver Us" opening of the film, but also contains most of the finale as Moses has lead the Israelites out of Egypt and then brings the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai.  The conclusion of the piece here differs from that heard in the film.  Ofra Haza's final performance of the exclamatory line "Deliver us!" is omitted here.  Instead, featured is an emotional choral rendition of the title theme and God/miracle theme.  Both are very satisfying conclusions. In the end, these two score tracks make it worth owning.

For those that found the original score release to THE PRINCE OF EGYPT as one of Zimmer's best works, I will recommend the addition of this CD to their collection. While the disc is out of print, it is ready available on various auctions sites for very good prices! 

Rating: 6/10

Track	Track Title	Track Time	Rating
1	It's Only the Beginning	3:43	****
2	Freedom	4:30	***
3	The River	3:53	***
4	Humanity	4:32	***
5	Through Heaven's Eyes	3:36	***
6	Chariot Race	6:37	****
	Total Running Time (approx)	27 minutes