Would love to hear anyone's recommendations... I'm thinking of the type of pieces like the end credits of "Return of the Jedi" which seems to describe amazing worlds far away with huge, swirling romantic music.
Any recommendations?
Luke and Leia Brother and Sister Theme from Return of the Jedi: Indeed!
John Williams has certainly written a lot of them:
"Can You Read My Mind" Flying Sequence and Love Theme from Superman-The Movie
Dracula
The Battle of Hollywood from Spielberg's 1941
The Men of the Yorktown from Midway
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Princess Leia's theme and the Force theme from the Star Wars movies
Han & Leia's love theme from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi
Duel of the Fates from Star Wars-Episodes I-III
Across the Stars from Star Wars-Episodes II & III
Battle of Heroes from Star Wars-Episode III
Marion's Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark
Willie's Theme from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Father and Son Theme from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Main Title and E.T. and Me from E.T.
Schindler's List
Saving Private Ryan (there's nothing "romantic" about the Holocaust and WWII, but these scores showcase an understated kind of "quiet courage")
Far and Away
War Horse
John Barry was a romantic too:
Somewhere in Time
Dances With Wolves
Out of Africa
Many, many great main title/love themes from the James Bond films that he wrote (in particular, I'm thinking Moonraker and Octopussy)
The Black Hole
Jerry Goldsmith:
Ilia's Theme from Star Trek-The Motion Picture
Carol Anne's Theme and Spirits Theme from Poltergeist
It's a Long Road and Hero Themes from the Rambo movies
Love Theme from First Knight
Maurice Jarre:
Lawrence of Arabia (as far as epic romantic, you can't do much better)
Doctor Zhivago (likewise)
Ghost (it'll break your heart)
Hans Zimmer
Gladiator
I would second the recommendation for John Barry's scores.
As for Jerry Goldsmith, I would highly recommend "The Wind and the Lion". It is one of my favorite films and one of the best romantic action-adventure soundtracks period.
Ennio Morricone's score for "Guns For San Sebastian" is outstanding too. I used the track "Love Theme" in my wedding!