The Polar Express: "Seeing is Believing” by Alan Silvestri (Score Reduction and Analysis)

[@rwinger2481]

This happens to be one of my favorite scores. Thanks to this film and its music, I have started liking some of Silvestri's film scores such as Back to the Future and Night at the Museum. Which are scores that have a lot of texture and layering that make the score unique in its own way Note: The celeste is performed by keyboardist Randy Kerber who created his signature celeste sound for Harry Potter.

[@tomwheeler1082]

YESS EVEN MORE OF POLAR EXPRESS!!! This score is so inspiring

[@cman-bw5tn]

3:21 is very similar to some of his score from Back to the Future

[@alpha_jasperflair1097]

Because Alan Silvestri also composed the music from back to the future, and there is even a reference from back to the future when dr brown pulled the whistle when they were riding on a train he said, “Ive wanted to do that my whole life!”, which is the same line as what the hero boy (Chris) said when he pulled the whistle on the train. Also you can clearly see when the engineers were working on the train, you can see on the background a working flux capacitor, from back to the future, gee theres so much easter eggs and references from this movie lmao.

[@ppheard1254]

3:21 I love how Silvestri starts with all strings, low brass and woodwinds, timpani and bass drum on a pedal, with the Horns taking melody for 2 bars then giving trumpets the violins and viola parts and the higher woodwinds and strings take melody and it switches back and forth

[@ComposerConductor]

The opening for this cue sounds so similar to Davy Jone's Theme from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. If I remember correctly, Silvestri wrote Davy Jone's theme as well, so this similarity would not surprise me.

[@josephreitzcomposer6855]

Hans Zimmer wrote the Davy Jones theme. If I remember correctly...I'm not 100% so done crucify me if I'm wrong here but I believe Silvestri was the composer Hans was asked to replace for Curse of the Black Pearl.

[@christiancarpenter5567]

I love the mysterious tone of that piece. also the ghost character is very dope

[@TopHat2375]

I so wish they made more o the beginning of the song. It's so haunting but whimsical that it always gives me chills. I need more

[@ForeGD05]

3:20 Man that truly gave me goosebumps

[@backwoodsfilms875]

This was my childhood and it makes me so inspired listening back to it.

[@ComposerConductor]

This opening sounds a bit similar to the Davy Jones's Locker theme. Didn't Mr. Silvestri work on Davy Jones?

[@johannesaskehov]

It is a bit similar, yes. But that would be Hans Zimmer’s work.

[@jaredchristianrios7432]

At 1:18 [My favorite part], Christopher "Chris" the Hero Boy: I have to wake up. Yeah, I have to wake up. AHHH!!! Wake up, wake up, wake up. Wake up!!!!!! Wake up, wake up, wake up, [Muffled] wake uuupppp!!!!!

[@rebornkenji3571]

I love these videos! ❤️ good work! Such an amazing soundtrack. Pure masterpieces

[@trashy_everything447]

This is my favorite seen from a his whole movie 🖤

[@the25thdoctor]

If your every going to make another polar express analysis for this Christmas please do a analysis on the track “lessons and goodbyes” it is really impactful.

[@alpha_jasperflair1097]

The true heroes of youtube i applause👏 this is very helpful for of my piano skills and other more instruments thank you so much sir!❤️

[@icebearisicebear]

Could you please do Hugo?

[@AlexBaker994]

Would love to see the Suite from the Polar Express! I have the score but I am awful at making reductions

[@mydogskips2]

Was this before or after PoTC 2, I hear a lot of Davy Jones's theme here.

[@mancityfan2004]

2:54

[@manuelpone4812]

Can you do Lord of the Rings?

[@parkerc.4357]

Who do I have to kill to play this in an ensemble?

[@icebearisicebear]

Hi, just saying, but if you change the font of the score from Emmentaler to Bravura, the score will a lot neater. i personally think that Emmentaler is too curly, and the treble clef looks especially weird. Have a try if you want

[@kstsksts6572]

can you make some cues from Goldsmith's the omen?