(New York, NY, April 6, 2004) - The Passion of the Christ original motion
picture soundtrack has been certified a gold record by the Recording
Industry Association of America, signifying shipments of more 500,000
units.
The Sony Music/Integrity release, which has been in stores for five
weeks, held the No. 1 soundtrack position for four weeks. The album
posted the third best opening week for an instrumental score soundtrack
in Nielsen SoundScan history, trailing only the first week album sales of
the score soundtracks for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and beating the first week
numbers of such notable score successes as Lord of the Rings and Harry
Potter.
Composed by John Debney (Elf, Bruce Almighty, Spy Kids), the The Passion
of the Christ soundtrack continues to hold the No. 1 spot on Billboard's
Contemporary Christian chart. Referring to the soundtrack, director,
producer Mel Gibson commented, "this score with its mix of ethnic
authenticity and symphonic sweetness propels the brutal image to a
higher, almost lyrical plane." Gibson lends his voice to the score's
vocals and chants, performing with the London Voices choir.
Debney, along with various musicians from the recording, soloist Lisbeth
Scott and the Concert Chorale of New York, will perform a special medley
on NBC's "Today Show" on Thursday, April 8, 2004.