You are currently viewing TOP 20 SCORES OF 2015

TOP 20 SCORES OF 2015

bestof2015_logoWelcome to CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO’s Top 20 Scores of 2015 countdown.  

2015 was another outstanding year for film, TV and video game music and was the best year for film, TV and video game music since 2004. Since 2012 music written for film, TV and video games has been getting increasingly better to a point where this year I had roughly 30 plus scores that made my short list. Trying to whittle those scores down to a best of ten was an impossible task. Then I thought maybe I would present the best 15 scores like I did last year but leaving out the scores in positions 16 to 20 would have been a crime. So, for the first time ever on Cinematic Sound Radio I’m presenting a top 20 program.

If you have any favourites that didn’t make the list or you have issues with my personal selections then please let’s discuss it in the comment section below.

I would also like to thank again composer David Coscina for providing us with a new variation on his Cinematic Sound Radio Fanfare and Theme. This new variation pays tribute to John Williams’ Star Wars scores.

Have a listen!

[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/csr_theme_starwars.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/csr_theme_starwars.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO FANFARE AND THEME | STAR WARS VARIATION

And with that… enjoy the countdown!

#20 | CREED (Ludwig Gransson)

20-creed2[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/20-creed.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/20-creed.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CREED | #20

 

#19 | PETER AND WENDY (Maurizio Malagnini)

19-peter_wendy[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/19-peter_and_wendy.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/19-peter_and_wendy.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: PETER AND WENDY | #19

 

#18 | MUHAMMAD: THE MESSENGER OF GOD (A.R. Rahman)

18-muh-2[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/18-muhammed.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/18-muhammed.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: MUHAMMAD: THE MESSENGER OF GOD | #18

 

#17 | FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (Craig Armstrong)

17-farfrom3[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/17-far_madding.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/17-far_madding.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD | #17

 

#16 | TOMORROWLAND (Michael Giacchino)

16-tomorrowland[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/16-tomorrowland.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/16-tomorrowland.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: TOMORROWLAND | #16

 

#15 | PAN (John Powell)

15-pan
[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/15-pan.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/15-pan.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: PAN | #15

 

#14 | CRIMSON PEAK (Fernando Velazquez)

14-crimson2[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/14-crimson_peak.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/14-crimson_peak.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CRIMSON PEAK | #14

 

#13 | TOM SAWYER & HUCKLEBERRY FINN (Robert Gulya)

13-huckleberry[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/13-huckleberry.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/13-huckleberry.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: TOM SAWYER & HUCKLEBERRY FINN | #13

 

#12 | BRIDGE OF SPIES (Thomas Newman)

12-bridge[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/12-bridge_of_spies.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/12-bridge_of_spies.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: BRIDGE OF SPIES | #12

 

#11 | CARLOS, REY EMPERADOR (Federico Jusid)

11-carlos[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/11-carlos.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/11-carlos.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CARLOS, REY EMPERADOR | #11

 

#10 | REVELATION (Neal Acree)

10-revelation[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/10-revelation.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/10-relevation.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: REVELATION | #10

 

#9 | ANT-MAN (Christophe Beck)

9-ant-man[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/9-ant-man.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/9-ant-man.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: ANT-MAN | #9

 

#8 | CINDERELLA (Patrick Doyle)

8-cinderella2[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/8-cinderella.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/8-cinderella.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CINDERELLA | #8

 

#7 | CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH – RISING TIDE (Geoff Knorr | Griffin Cohen | Grant Kirkhope)

7-civilization-rt[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/7-civilization.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/7-civilization.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH – RISING TIDE | #7

 

#6 | ORI AND THE BLIND FOREST (Gareth Coker)

6-ori[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/6-ori.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/6-ori.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: ORI AND THE BLIND FOREST | #6

 

#5 | WOLF TOTEM (James Horner)

5-wolf[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/5-wolf.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/5-wolf.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: WOLF TOTEM | #5

 

#4 | MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION (Joe Kraemer)

4-mission[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/4-mission.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/4-mission.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION | #4

 

#3 | PAPER PLANES (Nigel Westlake)

3-paper[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/3-paper.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/3-paper.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: PAPER PLANES | #3

 

#2 | JUPITER ASCENDING (Michael Giacchino)

2-jupiter[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/2-jupiter.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/2-jupiter.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: JUPITER ASCENDING | #2

 

#1 | STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (John Williams)

1-star-wars[jwplayer config=”Audio Only” file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow/bestof2015/1-star_wars_tfa.mp3″ html5_file=”https://www.cinematicsound.net/theshow//bestof2015/1-star_wars_tfa.mp3″]NOW PLAYING: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS | #1

 

This Post Has 29 Comments

  1. Boubis January 25, 2016 Reply

    My Best Music Scores(Albums) Released in 2015 :

    PETER AND WENDY – MAURIZIO MALAGNINI
    WOLF TOTEM – JAMES HORNER
    JUPITER ASCENDING – MICHAEL GIACCHINO
    FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD – CRAIG ARMSTRONG
    PAS DE DEUX – JAMES HORNER
    HUMAN – ARMAND AMAR
    STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS – JOHN WILLIAMS
    THE MONKEY KING – CHRISTOPHER YOUNG
    KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET – GABRIEL YARED
    VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN – CRAIG ARMSTRONG
    CINDERELLA – PATRICK DOYLE
    THE GREAT HUMAN ODYSSEY – DARREN FUNG
    MARIA DI NAZARET(24 Original Tracks) – GUY FARLEY
    THE FACE OF AN ANGEL – HARRY ESCOTT
    THE PARADISE[SEASON 2] – MAURIZIO MALAGNINI
    WOLF HALL – DEBBIE WISEMAN
    MUHAMMAD: THE MESSENGER OF GOD – A.R. RAHMAN
    ORI AND THE BLIND FOREST – GARETH COKER
    RED ARMY – CHRISTOPHE BECK, LEO BIRENBERG
    A REASON – KIM PLANERT
    THE DANISH GIRL – ALEXANDRE DESPLAT

    I Don’t Listen :
    (Teresa/Carlos,Rey Emperador) – F. Jusid
    Seventh Son – M. Beltrami
    Penny Dreadful[Season 2] – A. Korzeniowski
    The Leftovers[Season 2] – M. Richter
    The Assassin – L. Giong

    1. Boubis January 26, 2016 Reply

      Best Music Scores of 2015 or Albums Released in 2015:

      I continue with are:
      REBECCA – CHRISTOPHER GUNNING
      FLESH AND BONE(BALLET MUSIC) – ADAM CRYSTAL
      CARLOS, REY EMPERADOR – FEDERICO JUSID
      TERESA – FEDERICO JUSID

      For now i don’t have listened Penny Dreadful 2, The Leftovers 2, The Assassin, Seventh Son, A. Desplat’s Tale of Tales and some other.

    2. Erik Woods January 28, 2016 Reply

      Thanks for sharing your list. Penny Deadful is so good and is one of my favourite TV scores of the year!

    3. Boubis February 21, 2016 Reply

      Best Music Scores of 2015 or Albums Released in 2015:

      I continued my list again with them:
      REVELATION – NEAL ACREE
      L’ETUDIANTE ET MONSIEUR HENRI – LAURENT AKNIN

  2. Brett Blake January 25, 2016 Reply

    Great list so far! There are some scores on here I was unfamiliar with, so it’s always fun to discover something new. Can’t wait to see what the top 10 looks like!

    1. Erik Woods January 28, 2016 Reply

      I hope my top ten didn’t disappoint you.

  3. Manoel Souza January 26, 2016 Reply

    My top ten are:

    TOMORROWLAND (Michael Giacchino)
    STAR WARS – THE FORCE AWAKENS (John Williams)
    STEVE JOBS- Daniel Pemberton (not much used in the movie, that’s sad)
    INSIDE OUT (Michael Giacchino)
    CARLOS, REY EMPERADOR (Federico Jusid)
    BRIDGE OF SPIES (Thomas Newman)
    CAROL (Carter Butrwell)
    BROKEN HORSES (John Debney)
    THE WALK (Alan Silvestri)
    MAD MAX FURY ROAD (Tom Holkenborg)

    1. Erik Woods January 28, 2016 Reply

      Solid list, Manoel.

  4. Vic January 27, 2016 Reply

    I am 71 years old now and have been listening to the golden age of film music all my life, by such wonderful composers, as Miklos Rozsa, Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, Hugo Friedhofer, Victor Young, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Dimitri Tiomkin, Franz Waxman, Bernard Herrmann, Elmer Bernstein and, more recently, John Williams the multi-talented and much-missed, Jerry Goldsmith.

    I do, however, also like to listen to all these new male and female film composers too, most of whom are unfamiliar to me and it’s always refreshing to hear different music for a change.

    Thanks to the recently discovered, Cinematic Sounds, an excellent radio programme from Canada, I can hear music that I wouldn’t normally listen to and some of it is very good indeed. Thanks for introducing all these new people to me and best wishes from jolly old England!

    1. Erik Woods January 28, 2016 Reply

      Hello Vic – Thank for listening and thank you for your story. I’m glad that my show is your source for film music discovery. It’s quite and honour actually.

  5. Kristof Bormanovich January 28, 2016 Reply

    The last track of the Star Wars score at 7:27 – wow!!!!!

    1. Erik Woods January 28, 2016 Reply

      So good, isn’t it?

  6. Chuck Fultz January 29, 2016 Reply

    Excellent top ten, Erik! Always enjoy your run down at the end of the year.

    You selected two fantastic scores from Michael Giacchino, but I was suprised to find that Inside Out didn’t make your top twenty. Were you reluctant to include three scores from the same composer?

    1. Erik Woods January 29, 2016 Reply

      No… I wasn’t reluctant. I can remember giving John Williams 4 spots in 2005. 🙂 While I love INSIDE OUT the movie, the score, however, seemed only functional. That’s not a slight on it one bit but I really never returned to it minus the fabulous end title suite. And Jurassic World was an utter disappointment for me both film and score. With that being said I think Michael Giacchino was 2015’s best composer with at two spots taken in my Top 20. Thanks of listening, Chuck!

  7. André Eisfeld January 31, 2016 Reply

    Hallo Eric!
    The 2015 Top TWENTY are well chosen, although I miss for my part James Horners “The 33”. “The 33” is a James Horner score, which is in Horners casnon resh and new too. he worked with Tony Hinnegan again, who played here diffrent flutes. The album has some wonderful tracks, which sounds so nice like Vladimir Cosmas nice score to “La chevre” in the early 80ths.
    “The 33” includes also one impressive action cue, which could belong to Avatar. “The 33” is a very listenable and good album. Four of the last five tracks are a very nice goodbye to one of my all time favourite composers along with Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams, who is luckily still compose.

    1. Erik Woods February 1, 2016 Reply

      I enjoyed The 33. I agree that it’s a an easy listen. It just didn’t WOW me like Wolf Totem or other scores on my list. Thanks for your comment!

  8. John Cockshaw February 1, 2016 Reply

    Excellent show and selection! These compilations are a real highlight of the year and most of my film score listening enjoyment for the year ahead will spring from this list. The top two scores are pure perfection and ‘The Force Awakens’; my goodness what a sublime listening experience. I’m not even done listening to your selections and I’ve already splashed out on copies of Paper Planes, Rogue Nation and Cinderella. Happy times and happy ears for me! Great, great show and awesome appearance on the recent Soundcast episode Eric. Oh and I’m also hoping some day that a release of Yoing’s ‘The Monkey King’ from last year’s list will become available.

    1. Erik Woods February 1, 2016 Reply

      Thanks for your comment, John. I’m glad that you discovered some new scores listening to my show. BTW, The Monkey King is available. It was released by Intrada a few months ago. http://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.9967/.f

      1. John Cockshaw February 1, 2016 Reply

        Wow! I’ve been hoping for this release all year. As soon as I read your reply I headed over to Intrada and got a copy. I am over the moon. To be finally able to purchase a copy of Christopher Young’s ‘The Monkey King’ has absolutely made my day. I’m glad I asked!

        1. Erik Woods February 1, 2016 Reply

          I couldn’t be happier for you! Enjoy the album! It’s incredible!

  9. "I Am Your Father" February 3, 2016 Reply

    I think you are very bias, Star Wars #1

    1. Erik Woods February 3, 2016 Reply

      Might be… but at least I gave my reasons why it is the most kick ass soundtrack of 2015!

  10. Tiago Gomes February 4, 2016 Reply

    Excelent list Erik. Thanks for the great selection, I always enjoy these tremendously.
    Out of curiosity…Was Assassin’s Creed Syndicate by Austin Wintory or Mad Max: Rury Road by Tom Holkenborg on the list at some point? 🙂

    1. Erik Woods February 4, 2016 Reply

      Assassin’s Creed was my fourth favourite video game score of the year. Mad Max didn’t even get a sniff. 😉

  11. Nathaniel Murphy February 4, 2016 Reply

    While I was surprised not to see Mad Max, Hateful Eight or Inside Out on your list, I was glad to see Ori get the love it deserved and would have also put in Attack on Titan part 1 by Shiro Sagisu, John Charpenter’s Lost themes and Horner’s Pas de deux even though the last two weren’t exactly film scores. Thanks again for putting out such a great show!

    1. Erik Woods February 4, 2016 Reply

      Thanks for your suggestions. I wasn’t a fan of The Hateful Eight as a whole but that opening cue (not the overture) is superb. One of the best tracks of 2015. Inside Out was also solid but I got more enjoyment out of the score in the film than on CD.

  12. Krzysztof Ruszkowski February 12, 2016 Reply

    From the video game music department I also highly recommed “The Witcher III: The Wild Hunt”. One of my favourite scores from 2015.

    1. Erik Woods February 13, 2016 Reply

      Thanks for the recommendation, Krzysztof.

  13. Joshua Hoppman February 18, 2016 Reply

    Nice list. Found myself agreeing with most of them! Here’s my top 20 list:

    1. Pan by John Powell
    2.Creed by Ludwig Goransson
    3.Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture by Jessica Curry
    4.Cinderella by Patrick Doyle
    5.Jupiter Ascending by Michael Giacchino
    6.The Great Human Odyssey by Darren Fung
    7.San Andreas by Andrew
    8.Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. by Bear McCreary
    9. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate by Austin Wintory
    10. Ori and the Blind Forest by Gareth Coker
    11. In The Heart of the Sea by Roque Banos
    12. Wolf Totem by James Horner
    13. Polycarp by Benjamin Botkin
    14. Ant Man by Christophe Becke
    15. Jurassic World by Michael Giacchino
    16. Outlander Vol. 2 by Bear McCreary
    17. Beyond the Mask by Jurgen Beck
    18. Momentum by Laurent Eyquem
    19. Maria Di Nazeret by Guy Farley
    20. The Gettysburg Address by Luke Richards

Leave a Reply