bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Custom cover On 6/28/2020 at 5:32 PM, The Illustrious Jerry said: I've linked to the YouTube audio for each of the tracks I recommend sampling. The Personal Life of David Copperfield by Christopher Willis As it turns out, 2017's The Death of Stalin was no one-time fluke. Willis' most recent team-up with Iannucci draws upon a number of inspirations (no Shostakovich, sorry), ranging from Adams' familiar orchestral energy (see End Credits) to occasional shades of Herrmann's romantic side (see Meeting Dora). Wonderful solo violin at work here too. If 2020 indeed continues to be short on film scores, let alone quality efforts in that regard, you can already safely mark this down at the top of your list for this year. If you're skeptical about trying a more "under-the-radar" composer, you may like the score if you enjoy David's Writings, my recommended sampler cue. Sicario by Johann Johannsson As far as what caught me on this heavy sound design album, might be worth checking out Desert Music for a legitimate melody, and Convoy for the sake of it's technique. Homecoming by Emile Mosseri (@Disco Stu) Kind of surprised I'm the first to catch this, given that Mosseri's score to The Last Black Man in San Francisco was one of the best of last year. Much of that sound carries over into the score for the second season of this Amazon original series, blending with some very different colours. Recommend trying Leonard's Theme and Redwoods to get a feel for it. More fun stuff, many being new discoveries for me Thanks for the link. LBSF was THE best score of.2019. Every review I read singled out the music for praise. Then I go over to AMAZON reviews of HOMECOMING and everybody's complaining about his score being to " intrusive and loud"!? The music made much of the often boring series watchable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt C 452 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Batman Returns I'm still iffy on the movie, but the score is growing on me a bit (especially the Catwoman bits). The recording and mixing is okay (especially with headphones), but the studio players just go through the motions. There's no energy or enthusiasm and to make matters worse, the orchestra sounds small. It just doesn't have that freshness and energy of the first score. Elfman and Burton should've recorded this in London. Or got Shirley Walker back to conduct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 32 minutes ago, Matt C said: Batman Returns I'm still iffy on the movie, but the score is growing on me a bit (especially the Catwoman bits). The recording and mixing is okay (especially with headphones), but the studio players just go through the motions. There's no energy or enthusiasm and to make matters worse, the orchestra sounds small. It just doesn't have that freshness and energy of the first score. Elfman and Burton should've recorded this in London. Or got Shirley Walker back to conduct. Film suckz. Score has a few good moments. Its no BATMAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 I do think the first score sounds better than Returns. gkgyver 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt C 452 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 1 hour ago, bruce marshall said: Film suckz. Score has a few good moments. Its no BATMAN A lot is cribbed from Beetlejuice and Scrooged. Stylistically, it doesn't feel like a natural extension of the first film. 5 minutes ago, Gruesome Son of a Bitch said: I do think the first score sounds better than Returns. Elfman's first Batman score is a masterpiece. Great score, energized musicians, terrific conducting, great album remix by Shawn Murphy. bruce marshall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,990 Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 Cinema Concerto. Listening to my first Morricone album. https://open.spotify.com/album/1uZZs1GClyOxKtVmbyvdb9?si=RkMAaTAXQ0CMTEJGzSIvRw Karol Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,508 Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 and , at the same time. THE THING Man, but this is fucking brilliant! It's always been my favourite Morricone, and it always will. Nick Parker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone The Mission by Ennio Morricone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 WOLF you know the name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,990 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 La Sconosciuta (The Unknown Woman) by Ennio Morricone. Another late gem. It's a bit of a hard score to describe. It gives us heartfelt themes but also a great deal of suspense and darkness. It's delicious. Karol publicist 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Journey by Austin Wintory Abzû by Austin Wintory Medal of Honor: European Assault by Christopher Lennertz Saving Private Ryan (LLL) by John Williams Restoration by James Newton Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 You don't know what you're talking about, Batman Returns is a hell of a great score. Delicious themes, fantastic action music, much more lively than Batman, more fun, and the main title is more worth going back to than Batman's. And the movie is, besides the 89 original, the only one that gets the feeling of what Batman should be, exactly right. Gothic and dark, but still fantastical and a bit campy, and with a serious undertone in the right places. I have watched these films over and over. I haven't watched a single Nolan flick even just once after seeing it in theaters because they're so goddamn depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 The first two tracks in Batman Returns (or a longer track, as you prefer) is one of the most incredible things Elfman has ever written. It's the very best showcase of his style, I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Romão said: The first two tracks in Batman Returns (or a longer track, as you prefer) is one of the most incredible things Elfman has ever written. It's the very best showcase of his style, I think Yeah. It's all downhill from there( except for some of the Catwoman cues) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Batman Returns is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Much of the criticism towards Batman Returns here is just neurotic film score nerd whinging. It's about on the highest level a film score can accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 24 minutes ago, Gruesome Son of a Bitch said: Batman Returns is great. Good score. But there was way too much of it. Wall to wall . How much was UNscored? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 First you say it has a few good moments, then you say it's a good score...I don't understand. I've probably made my position on Batman Returns very clear, it's one of my absolute favorite films and scores. The complete score might be a little much to listen to, but there are nice stretches of unscored scenes, namely multiple conversation scenes throughout...the music feels very much like Herrmann in the way it's used only when a heightened sense of reality or subtext is needed--thinking of scenes in Psycho, for example, when Leigh's character is silently grappling with the temptation to steal the money. As for the film itself, it has such a rich bevy of motifs and themes that run throughout, and are, ironically given much criticism for being over-the-top and fantastical, explored in a much more "filmic" way than practically all of Nolan's Batman movies. It's a lot of fun, too. Unlucky Bastard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Unlucky Bastard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post publicist 4,643 Posted July 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 8, 2020 A reactionary late Belmondo thriller gets one of the most long-lined romantic themes: leave it to europeans - Morricone, in this case - to make the best out of a bad situation! Nick Parker, Taikomochi and SteveMc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Fonzie? Gruesome Son of a Bitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, publicist said: A reactionary late Belmondo thriller gets one of the most long-lined romantic themes: leave it to europeans - Morricone, in this case - to make the best out of a bad situation! Haha, damn, that's actually kind of badass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Why does Nick Parker care what I think about BATMAN RETURNS? If You like it, that's all that counts . It sucks. Deal with it, live with it. Leave me in peace, frevinnsakes!😁 1 hour ago, PuhgreÞiviÞm said: Much of the criticism towards Batman Returns here is just neurotic film score nerd whinging. It's about on the highest level a film score can accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius: Might be my favourite violin concerto. The Wood-Nymph ballade for orchestra by Jean Sibelius: Another one of Sibelius' wonderfully tuneful and brilliantly orchestrated tone poems. I know he would have abhorred the idea but he would have made a wonderful film composer (if not for his elusive inspiration which sabotaged quite a few of his assignments for him as he couldn't deal with the deadlines) because of his tremendous dramatic instincts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 11 minutes ago, Incanus said: Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius: Might be my favourite violin concerto. It is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 U.S. Marshals (Deluxe Edition edit) by Jerry Goldsmith: Despite this being a very workman-like effort from good ol' Jerry, I have a soft spot for its rapt rhythms, synth pulses and staccato action writing. The nearly 80-minute Deluxe edition provides more of the same really, adding a suspense cue here and an action cue there but with a wee bit of editing I fashioned a listening experience that makes use of the whole album where I merged several shorter pieces together to form lengthier suites and switched some pieces around to make for a more dramatically satisfying finale and now it works much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 It's not chronological? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 12 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: It's not chronological? That's right! Oh I went there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 23 minutes ago, Incanus said: That's right! Oh I went there! Better prepare for the perfect storm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 7 hours ago, Nick Parker said: First you say it has a few good moments, then you say it's a good score...I don't understand. I've probably made my position on Batman Returns very clear, it's one of my absolute favorite films and scores. The complete score might be a little much to listen to, but there are nice stretches of unscored scenes, namely multiple conversation scenes throughout...the music feels very much like Herrmann in the way it's used only when a heightened sense of reality or subtext is needed--thinking of scenes in Psycho, for example, when Leigh's character is silently grappling with the temptation to steal the money. As for the film itself, it has such a rich bevy of motifs and themes that run throughout, and are, ironically given much criticism for being over-the-top and fantastical, explored in a much more "filmic" way than practically all of Nolan's Batman movies. It's a lot of fun, too. The dialogue is also wonderfully snappy. Am I the only the one to think that blockbusters movies, even the less than good ones, used to have much better dialogue up until 1995 than they do nowadays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 12 hours ago, bruce marshall said: Good score. But there was way too much of it. Wall to wall . How much was UNscored? That annoys me to no end in the film (which I like a lot by the way). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,480 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 I got gifts today! Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 1 minute ago, Bespin said: I got gifts today! Those last two R FANTASTIC! 31 minutes ago, Brundlefly said: That annoys me to no end in the film (which I like a lot by the way). You agree with me?!!!😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Amistad by John Williams: I really dig this score and its blend of Americana and African flavoured writing and would be happy if one of the labels decided to expand it. I love the vocal work here as well, not overly operatic but Williams' choral writing is quite varied and atmospheric here with all the African styled choral material and culminating in the wonderful paean for freedom in Dry Your Tears Afrika. Empire of the Sun (LLL) by John Williams: Another perennial favourite. Williams' approach is eclectic in style, almost dream-like in its changing moods and has an episodic quality enforced by the lack a typical ever-present strong main theme as the score really follows the main character's inner journey with such beauty, poignancy and intelligence. Holko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 I love these two scores. I wish there were more theme-less scores that focus more on atmosphere and emotional resonance than on a simple theme-driven narrative. The Illustrious Jerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Brundlefly said: I love these two scores. I wish there were more theme-less scores that focus more on atmosphere and emotional resonance than on a simple theme-driven narrative. I generally do prefer thematic/melodic scores over setpiece/episodic scores where each piece/cue is its own thing with no apparent relation to the music surrounding it but Empire of the Sun has enough musical common stylistic choices that tie it all together while a lot of the music being very episodic. There are also some exceptions from other composers too but yes I am more of a musical narrative/melody than wafting atmosphere kind of listener. Thomas Newman writes my kind of atmospheric music. And I believe you don't have to look very far for scores that focus on themeless atmosphere over theme driven-narratives since that has been the trend for a long time now. The Accidental Tourist by John Williams: Well here is basically a chamber sized theme-and-variations score as everything is built upon the multi-part central theme but I love this melancholy soundtrack to bit as Williams spins endless variations on the material that are gorgeously lyrical, introspective and at times achingly sad in a curious quiet way. The score culminates in a brilliant dramatically anguished but at the end triumphant A New Beginning and proceeds to the rollicking end credits in A Second Chance that is more in line with the sprightly John Williams musical signatures people came to love in the 1980's. I really wish someone would record the gorgeous concert suite from this autumnal score which has been previously recorded only for Keisuke Wakao Plays the Music of John Williams album and the ancient Naxos' compilation The Best Of John Williams performed by the "shudder" Philharmonic Rock Orchestra conducted by Richard Hayman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Tale of a Forest by Panu Aaltio Tale of a Lake by Panu Aaltio The Finnish composer Panu Aaltio's work for these two Finnish nature documentaries is delightful in its exuberant orchestral writing, full of little musical vignettes with their individual tunes but with a main theme running through both of the scores. Aaltio clearly loves the symphony orchestra and every section receives its own little workout whether it is the woodwinds, strings, brass or percussion. As an added colour Tale of a Lake features a female vocal soloist representing the mystical water spirit Ahitar in the documentary's narrative which takes its inspiration from the ancient Finnish folk beliefs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom Guernsey 2,281 Posted July 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 9, 2020 6 hours ago, Incanus said: I generally do prefer thematic/melodic scores over setpiece/episodic scores where each piece/cue is its own thing with no apparent relation to the music surrounding it but Empire of the Sun has enough musical common stylistic choices that tie it all together while a lot of the music being very episodic. There are also some exceptions from other composers too but yes I am more of a musical narrative/melody than wafting atmosphere kind of listener. Thomas Newman writes my kind of atmospheric music. And I believe you don't have to look very far for scores that focus on themeless atmosphere over theme driven-narratives since that has been the trend for a long time now. The Accidental Tourist by John Williams: Well here is basically a chamber sized theme-and-variations score as everything is built upon the multi-part central theme but I love this melancholy soundtrack to bit as Williams spins endless variations on the material that are gorgeously lyrical, introspective and at times achingly sad in a curious quiet way. The score culminates in a brilliant dramatically anguished but at the end triumphant A New Beginning and proceeds to the rollicking end credits in A Second Chance that is more in line with the sprightly John Williams musical signatures people came to love in the 1980's. I really wish someone would record the gorgeous concert suite from this autumnal score which has been previously recorded only for Keisuke Wakao Plays the Music of John Williams album and the ancient Naxos' compilation The Best Of John Williams performed by the "shudder" Philharmonic Rock Orchestra conducted by Richard Hayman. I remember that Naxos compilation! It was one of the earliest Williams compilations I bought (along with the Silva Screen Jurassic Park one) and remember quite a bit of it being pretty ropey. However, wasn't the selection from The Accidental Tourist just A Second Chance? Obviously listening to a lot of Morricone since the sad news: Marco Polo - Lovely score although over a double CD it does drag times. The Untouchables - One of my favourite Morricone scores. I still find it a bit weird that the original album was award winning despite the slightly odd decision to put the Machine Gun Lullaby at the end of the album, which rather leaves things hanging. The expanded album is much more satisfying. L'Uccello Dalle Piume Di Cristallo - Almost surprising to see this appear so often on top Morricone scores. The main theme is typically lovely but the rest of the album is at the stranger end of his writing. Cinema Paradiso - A proper classic, super themes, everything glows. Terrific. Yo-Yo Ma Plays Morricone - One of my favourite Morricone compilations. Superb synthesis between composer and soloist. But a few others as well... Tron (Wendy Carlos) - Feel I should be more familiar with this score. The synth writing reminds me too much of 1980's Doctor Who scoring, but the mixing with the orchestra is quite effective. Cry, the Beloved Country (John Barry) - Was surprised to discover I didn't own this score so had to acquire it (easier said that done). Great main theme, typically lush Barry score for the period. Jurassic Shark, Taikomochi and Incanus 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 12 hours ago, Tom Guernsey said: I remember that Naxos compilation! It was one of the earliest Williams compilations I bought (along with the Silva Screen Jurassic Park one) and remember quite a bit of it being pretty ropey. However, wasn't the selection from The Accidental Tourist just A Second Chance? The suite on the Hayman compilation was about 5½ minute version titled The Accidental Tourist (Love Theme) which is the same arrangement Williams himself conducted e.g. on his Boston Pops Japan Tour. Sadly he never recorded with the Boston Pops for any of their numerous albums. But you are right, disc also has the A Second Chance on it as well titled The End Credits Music which is a rather slow reading on the energetic piece. Here is the suite conducted by John Williams on the Pops Japan Tour: The superb Keisuke Wakao album has a chamber orchestra arrangement of the very piece. Taikomochi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Re:THE UNTOUCHABLES IIRC this came out on LP so Ennio programmed it with that in mind. Is there a reason people use the ITALIAN titles for.films that were released in English? It's confusing, dammit! Speak ENGLISH!😠😡😝😳😅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,179 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Tom Guernsey said: I remember that Naxos compilation! It was one of the earliest Williams compilations I bought (along with the Silva Screen Jurassic Park one) and remember quite a bit of it being pretty ropey. "Quite a bit of it"? Everything, as far as I recall. Hayman's Ewoks sound like he didn't remember the films correctly and confused them with Yoda when choosing his tempo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Is there a reason people use the ITALIAN titles for.films that were released in English? It's confusing, dammit! Speak ENGLISH!😠😡😝😳😅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taikomochi 1,136 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 3 hours ago, Incanus said: The suite on the Hayman compilation was about 5½ minutes version titled The Accidental Tourist (Love Theme) which is the same arrangement Williams himself conducted e.g. on his Boston Pops Japan Tour. Sadly he never recorded with the Boston Pops for any of their numerous albums. But you are right, disc also has the A Second Chance on it as well titled The End Credits Music which is a rather slow reading on the energetic piece. Here is the suite conducted by John Williams on the Pops Japan Tour: The superb Keisuke Wakao album has a chamber orchestra arrangement of the very piece. Wow, I’d never heard that arrangement except for the Wakao recording, which is lovely but doesn’t compare to this performance. That’s the definitive interpretation of that material. I can’t believe Williams never recorded it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Guernsey 2,281 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Incanus said: The suite on the Hayman compilation was about 5½ minutes version titled The Accidental Tourist (Love Theme) which is the same arrangement Williams himself conducted e.g. on his Boston Pops Japan Tour. Sadly he never recorded with the Boston Pops for any of their numerous albums. But you are right, disc also has the A Second Chance on it as well titled The End Credits Music which is a rather slow reading on the energetic piece. Here is the suite conducted by John Williams on the Pops Japan Tour: The superb Keisuke Wakao album has a chamber orchestra arrangement of the very piece. Cool, thanks for the info and clip! I don't have the Naxos compilation any longer to check but I remember enjoying The Accidental Tourist on that album, think it was one of the better performed selections! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,179 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 3 hours ago, bruce marshall said: Is there a reason people use the ITALIAN titles for.films that were released in English? It's confusing, dammit! Speak ENGLISH!😠😡😝😳😅 I usually use the *original* titles of films. Some of Morricone's English-language films have Italian titles, so I use those. Holko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,480 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 But the music is in Italian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Jane Eyre by Dario Marianelli Jane Eyre by John Williams Two superbly lyrical scores on the same subject matter. Next I should revisit Herrmann's take on the story as well. The Illustrious Jerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2020 Best of 2019, purely imho, of course. The Illustrious Jerry, Incanus, crocodile and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,990 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 It's really good. Shame there was no physical release of this. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Man Of Steel (well, 20 minutes of it) How this score full of ambience, sparsely interrupted by a Best Of Hans Zimmer compilation, made it to picture, I have no earthly idea. The horn solo in Goodbye My Son could have been something, but it's drowned in noise, and like all of Zimmer's themes, not developed by an inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now