Soundtrack Review

Now Playing: Schindler's List
Artist: John Williams and Itzhak Perlman (violin)

John Williams is regularly hailed as one of the greatest musical minds of our day, and this declaration would certainly seem to be true based on the majority of his works. Having scored such blockbuster hits as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, as well as Jaws and three out of four Harry Potter films, Williams has been showered with praise from fans and critics alike. Nominated for the Oscar over forty times, as well as countless Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Williams is without a doubt one of the most “decorated” musicians alive today. Although it is not the best known, perhaps one of his best compositions to date is 1993’s Schindler’s List.

The violin solos are performed by Itzhak Perlman, who renders them with heart-breaking beauty as well as soul-piercing power. Whether it is just the violin on its own, or the full orchestra, this score is incredibly emotional and breathtakingly beautiful. Out of the fourteen tracks on the disc, my favorites are Theme From Schindler’s List, I Could Have Done More, Stolen Memories, Remembrances, and the piano reprise of the theme, although every single track is spectacular to listen to.

Here is a brief rating of each track. It was difficult to judge them, as each one is beautiful in its on right, but in the end this is what I decided on…

1. Theme From Schindler’s List 10/10
2. Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto – Winter ’41) 10/10
3. Immolation (With Our Lives, We Give Life) 10/10
4. Remembrances 10/10
5. Schindler’s Workforce 9.7/10
6. OYF’N Pripetshok and Nacht Aktion 9.5/10
7. I Could Have Done More 10/10
8. Auschwitz-Birkenau 10/10
9. Stolen Memories 10/10
10. Making The List 9.5/10
11. Give Me Your Names 10/10
12. Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) 9.5/10
13. Remembrances (with Itzhak Perlman) 10/10
14. Theme From Schindler’s List (Reprise) 10/10


All in all, I would give Schindler’s List a 10/10 rating. I have rarely heard a soundtrack better than this one, and it is truly one of my favorites of all times. I would highly recommend it.