Schindler's List Concert Suite Question

[Tom 2,726]

So, every non-Perlman recording and performance of the suite uses the logical order of theme, Jewish town, remembrances--logical insofar as remembrances is a development of the main theme. Yet, every time Perlman perform it, such as the recent LA DVD, he flips the first and third.

Is there a reason for this? Usually the order of movements is not random, and this suite really makes more sense the non-Perlman way.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

A personal preference.

[Bespin 6,373]

First, that's not really a suite, but three excerpts from the score.

Then, Perlman is the best.

Good performers always end the show with their best tune!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Is Theme From Schindlers List better then Remembrances though?

[crocodile 6,294]

It's not actually. Same situation as with Angela's Ashes/Angela's Prayer. Secondary themes are sometimes better.

Karol

[Bespin 6,373]

I was not talking about the valor of the music, but about it's popularity.

The hit is Theme from Schindler's List, that's the work every violinist-to-be on the planet adds on their repertoire and record since 20 years.

Just on www.arkivmusic.com they actually list 56 recordings of the work! (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/albumList.jsp?name_id1=13089&name_role1=1&comp_id=49166&bcorder=15)

[Loert 2,207]

Bit OT but I would replace Jewish Town with Auschwitz-Birkenau (that didn't come off very well did it?) because A-B showcases the lower range of the violin a bit and conveys a different kind of emotion from the other two, creating a more varied suite. Although on one hand I suppose it might come off as a bit dark and insensitive to some...

As for the order of the first and third pieces, perhaps it's so that the audience can look forward to hearing the 'very' famous 'main theme' at the end? Although I didn't even know that there existed a 'suite' of this score before entering this thread. Remembrances does sound like a more solid closing piece, though.

Also, is Remembrances really a development of the main theme? It sounds to me like a separate melody (but similar in tone). Or maybe the main theme is a development of the Remembrances theme???

[crocodile 6,294]

It would have been interesting if they added Auschwitz piece. It's another stunning piece. But I wouldn't probably mesh all that well with the rest.

Well, you can sort of hear certain links between Remembrances and main theme. Intentional or not.

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Link!

[Miguel Andrade 964]

The "Theme" came in the end of the composing process of the score. As Williams said in a 1993/94 interview, the actual main theme was to have been "Remembrances", but at a certain point, both composer and director felt that there was need for some additional material, and that additional theme ended up being the main one for the whole film.

Personally, I'm much more close to "Remembrances" than the "theme". And as far as the performing order, I do prefer the one from the published suite, with the "Theme" first and "Remembrances" in the end. I do think this had to do with the fact that (non musical) people will react better by listening to the one bit they know of the score in the end, rather than in the start...

[Dixon Hill 4,229]

Funny it took him until the end of scoring to lift a bit of Mahler 8.

[Tom 2,726]

Thank you for the responses. I did not know that Remembrances was originally the main theme--cool info.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Apparently Williams told Spielberg that he needed a better composer for this film!

[Score 557]

Bit OT but I would replace Jewish Town with Auschwitz-Birkenau (that didn't come off very well did it?) because A-B showcases the lower range of the violin a bit and conveys a different kind of emotion from the other two, creating a more varied suite. Although on one hand I suppose it might come off as a bit dark and insensitive to some...

Auschwitz-Birkenau is indeed a great piece, that should have been included in the suite. Though I would not replace Jewish Town, but keep them both. Another great piece is "Making the List", but I can see why it was not included in the suite.

As for Theme vs. Remembrances, since the latter features a quote of the Theme in the violin cadenza, I think it is appropriate to put it at the end, as in the score of the suite published by Hal Leonard. Also, to me it sounds more "conclusive".

Apparently Williams told Spielberg that he needed a better composer for this film!

Really? And what did he reply?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

"I know, but they're all dead."

[BloodBoal 7,532]

I thought it was: "I kow, but they all refused to score the film"

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I thought it was: "I kow, but they all refused to score the film"

Know

[BloodBoal 7,532]

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I love you!

[Loert 2,207]

Auschwitz-Birkenau is indeed a great piece, that should have been included in the suite. Though I would not replace Jewish Town, but keep them both.

Indeed, if we don't need to keep to three pieces then I would definitely keep Jewish Town. That would then be a very interesting four-part suite to listen to IMO.

[BloodBoal 7,532]

I love you!

I... I don't. But it's not you, it's me.

[Not Mr. Big 3,589]

It's not actually. Same situation as with Angela's Ashes/Angela's Prayer. Secondary themes are sometimes better.

Karol

Agreed. The B-section of Remembrances (as heard in 1:20 of this video) in particular is one of my very favorite John Williams melodies. Strangely enough, the main theme strikes me as a bit mechanical compared to its in-score siblings.

[crocodile 6,294]

Yeah, precisely.

Karol