Henry V is Walton"s largest and grandest film score. There"s a curious rule in the history of film stating that the less interesting the plot, the better the music. We all know how much sensational musical talent was lavished on B-rated horror films. Shakespeare"s Henry V with Sir Lawrence Olivier is hardly a B-movie, but neither is it a popular favorite. But the lavish sweep and panoramic scenic potential of this history play make it an ideal source of musical inspiration. This exciting recording assembles all of the usable music Walton wrote for the film and presents it as a sort of résumé of the action itself. It"s a great way to get to know Shakespeare, and some terrific music, too. --David Hurwitz