James Newton Howard’s collaboration with the director (Robert Stromberg) started more than a year before the release of the picture, and it definitely shows. The result is a masterpiece of an orchestral score that has become harder to come by in today’s film music. Maleficent’s success and the film score’s raving reviews are living proof that James and Robert’s grand orchestral approach worked uniquely well with the story. It’s been an incredible adventure to be a part of the recording sessions at Abbey Road for a score of this scale.