Jump to content

Intrada releases Alex North's 2001

Ollie

By Ollie,
in General Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

Ollie

Ollie 859

Posted
Posted

click

I encourage those who are really interested in good film music or a fan of Alex North to get this. I have the Goldsmith re-recording but you can't beat the original in my opinion.

Personally I think this music might have made 2001 a much more interesting film to me. I never liked the use of classical music in 2001.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 51
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

ST-321

ST-321 4

Posted
Posted

Wow! I didn't know that recording even existed. Most interesting.

World premiere of original performance for Alex North score to legendary Stanley Kubrick sci-fi masterpiece, authored by Arthur C. Clarke, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood. Presented through combined efforts of Stanley Kubrick estate, Alex North family, restoration authority Nick Redman, other persons related to project. Judiciously assembled from sole surviving mono mixdown safety master made by engineer Eric Tomlinson for composer during recording sessions. Relatively recent discovery of long lost tape allows original performance of vibrant, complex work to shine. Stunning orchestral textures; hugely expanded brass section; incredible array of timpani all get spotlight. In balance are reflective ideas, moments for intimate solo voice against vibraphone, harp, other subtle textures. Packaging includes definitive notes about legendary rejected score, researched in depth by writer Jon Burlingame, historian Nick Redman with additional comments from conductor Henry Brant, estate members plus musical score examples, more! Complete score as recorded by composer under baton of Henry Brant. Special Collection release limited to 3000 copies!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted
click

I encourage those who are really interested in good film music or a fan of Alex North to get this. I have the Goldsmith re-recording but you can't beat the original in my opinion.

Ordered!

Personally I think this music might have made 2001 a much more interesting film to me. I never liked the use of classical music in 2001.

bowdown

:|

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ollie

Ollie 859

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Personally I think this music might have made 2001 a much more interesting film to me. I never liked the use of classical music in 2001.

bowdown

:|

I'm not a big fan of the film 2001 although I do think it is a visual treat.

I don't know why but when I watch it and hear The Blue Danube during the shuttle sequence it just bores me to tears.

I just think North understood what Kubrick wanted and delivered a very good score for his film.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted
I'm not a big fan of the film 2001 although I do think it is a visual treat.  

I don't know why but when I watch it and hear The Blue Danube during the shuttle sequence it just bores me to tears.

I just think North understood what Kubrick wanted and delivered a very good score for his film.

I disagree, but you know that already. Let's not open up that particular line of discussion just yet. :nod:

As much as I do prefer Kubrick's choices, I can't wait to try and sync up these cues to the film scenes. And however good or bad the music is as a score, it's a fantastic (but challenging) listening experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
crocodile

crocodile 6,294

Posted
Posted
As much as I do prefer Kubrick's choices, I can't wait to try and sync up these cues to the film scenes.

Actually it may be virtually impossible to do that, since there were some changes to the picture so Blue Danube (for example) would fit.

Anyone out there tried it yet with Goldsmith's re-recording?

Karol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted

According to one issue of FSM, he just conducted it at the tempos (or is it tempi?) that seemed natural. A comparison with this album (when it's released) should clear that up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted

Compare the OST times:

1. The Foraging (03:11)

2. The Bluff (02:38)

3. Night Terrors (01:47)

4. Bones (01:41)

5. Eat Meat and Kill (04:00)

6. Space Station Docking (05:22)

7. Space Talk (03:47)

8. Trip to Moon (03:04)

9. Moon Rocket Bus (05:19)

10. The Foraging (alternate version) (03:08)

11. Eat Meat and Kill (take 7-wild) (01:03)

12. Space Station (take 4-partial) (02:11)

13. Docking (take 2) (01:15)

With the re-recording:

1. Main Title (01:37)

2. The Foraging (03:44)

3. Eat Meat and The Kill (03:27)

4. The Bluff (03:01)

5. Night Terrors (02:02)

6. The Dawn Of Man (03:14)

7. Space Station Docking (02:22)

8. Trip To The Moon (03:21)

9. Moon Rocket Bus (05:01)

10. Space Talk (03:30)

11. Interior Orion (01:26)

And you'll notice that the timings are quite different. By the way, there seem to be a few cues missing from the Intrada CD - mostly from later in the film - perhaps they were never recorded. I don't know, but I'm sure the liner notes will reveal all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
crocodile

crocodile 6,294

Posted
Posted
Once, at North's house. Certainly not enough to reproduce anythign by. He was working with North's notes.

I checked this Here is the exact quote from Varese's edition liner notes:

"One more interesting side note was that the long lost cassette copy of the original 1968 recording of the score was finally unearthed by Anna North exactly one week before we would all leave for London. This discovery premitted Jerry Goldsmith to study the recording and enabled him to match exactly the tempos and dynamics of Alex's intent."

Karol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GoodMusician

GoodMusician 53

Posted
Posted

each performance is different. Hell, John Williams doesn't always take things at the same tempi...even in concert.

I'm a stickler for tempi, but I accept that a re-recording of something like 20 seconds off is ok...especially if it's dutifully done.

Now, when it's like a minute off, you know something is wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Goldsmithfan

Goldsmithfan 3

Posted
Posted

The music that's listed as "Bones" was on the rerecording as the main title. I find that interesting, especially considering the fact that the liner notes of the rerecording say that North wrote that piece to sound like the Thus Sprach Zarathrustra (spelling) because he knew he was competing with it.

Any comments?

Any clarifications?

Any . . . thing at all?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TheTennisBallKid

TheTennisBallKid 11

Posted
Posted
Doug Fake]What was used as a "Main Title" on the re-recording was never intended for that purpose. Instead, it was slated for the famous "Bones" sequence where North reveals for the first time his main musical building block, his "theme of knowledge" if you will, mirroring Kubrick's famous sequence. Musical architecture-wise, it's a very dramatic compositional idea. The sizeable research done by various persons involved in this project has yielded several interesting facts that replace numerous myths surrounding this famous score - including what Kubrick apparently had planned for those opening credits.

No doubt the liner notes will be just as fascinating as the music....

ttbk

ROTFLMAO The Polar Express

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Morn

Morn 7

Posted
Posted

I think I definitely need to get this. Listening to the samples of the web site. The fanfare for example sounds much more noble under Brant's baton. Goldsmith conducts it like a normal sci fi fanfare, Brant conducts it like what it is, a theme about the greatness and nobility of man.

This recording has the advantage of being conducted by the orchestrator, Brant, and being under North's supervision..

North was exhausted from working on the score, he had back pain and was unable to conduct. Infact he had back pain so serious that he went to hospital about it. After all this dedication, Kubrick then fired him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted

I think the way Kubrick went about firing him was horrible, but I still think he made the right choice. From what I've seen, North's music just doesn't fit with the visuals. It's fantastic to listen to apart from the film, though.

Perhaps it's because I'm too used to the film as it is, I don't know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Morn

Morn 7

Posted
Posted

The score was not yet finished, there was a lot of the movie left to score. He told North I don't need any more music, I'll use breathing sound effects for the rest of the movie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Morlock

Morlock 9

Posted
Posted

He shouldn't have hired him. But a director's job is to make the best possible film. If the score is wrong, it would be wrong to use it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted
Doesn't matter it's no way to treat a very talented musician.

You're saying it's more important to be nice to the composer than to make the right decision for your film? :?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Morn

Morn 7

Posted
Posted

When it's a master and genius like North, who was so completely dedicated out of respect for the director. Then even if you want to fire him you should at least tell him your intentions. And offer a CD release etc. North only found the score wasn't used after seeing the film.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
crocodile

crocodile 6,294

Posted
Posted
When it's a master and genius like North, who was so completely dedicated out of respect for the director. Then even if you want to fire him you should at least tell him your intentions. And offer a CD release etc. North only found the score wasn't used after seeing the film.

Yes, but then you wouldn't have a story to tell now. :wave: Besides, I have a feeling his score, wouldn't as popular had it been used or rejected in a "civilized" fashion. It's not among North's greatest creations, I think. But then again, it was written in a week or so.

Karol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted
When it's a master and genius like North, who was so completely dedicated out of respect for the director. Then even if you want to fire him you should at least tell him your intentions.

I'll agree with that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robthehand

robthehand 3

Posted
Posted

Now that this has been re-discovered, I hope they put it as an alternate track on the 2001 DVD. Like they did with The Battle of Britain.

But that's never going to happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.

  I accept