Popular Post Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 11, 2020 By popular request. Madmartigan JC, Remco, crlbrg and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 -😅 Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holko 9,526 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 Can be pretty fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeltington 1,440 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 It's a bit lightweight perhaps, but I enjoy the album. It has some adventurous passages and some good themes. The suite has been a welcome addition to Williams' concert repertoire... it's a generous amount of music, it cycles deftly through several moods and makes a good showcase. blondheim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 Honestly, this score, like the movie, just fell between two chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,457 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 The movie is pretty bad, but the score is okay, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,660 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 I think there is a recent thread on this. I think the concert suite is a top twenty Williams piece. Excellent main melody, though childlike (but not childish). The string and flute runs are delightful throughout. My only complaint is that Williams leaves out a key theme from the concert version that is on the album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Tom said: I think there is a recent thread on this. Yes, very recent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, Tom said: My only complaint is that Williams leaves out a key theme from the concert version that is on the album. Can we discuss why we think he might have done that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 Please do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 I think it is likely the same reason the theme in High-Wire Stunts isn't part of Jurassic Park's concert suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 5 minutes ago, blondheim said: I think it is likely the same reason the theme in High-Wire Stunts isn't part of Jurassic Park's concert suite. What, what? How is a leitmotif used throughout an entire score not being included in a suite or themes in any way like not using a melody that appears in one cue in a suite? Apples and oranges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 I was under the impression it is used twice: in the car scene and High-Wire Stunts. Are there more variations I am unaware of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbellamy 6,287 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 The point is that there was never a recorded Jurassic Park suite that featured the High Wire Stunt melody and which he later removed in concert lol We're talking about this in the BFG suite on album which he's since nixed in performances It does bum me out because it's my favorite of the score and one of my favorite JW themes of the decade. I don't know why he felt like cutting it, must just be one of those things where he felt like it was a spot he could tighten it up. Could be he just doesn't think it's interesting enough or interrupts the more propulsive whimsical stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 7 minutes ago, blondheim said: I was under the impression it is used twice: in the car scene and High-Wire Stunts. Are there more variations I am unaware of? Heh, I forgot that melody was used in three cues (it's also at the end of To The Maintenance Shed); People have come to refer to it as the electric fence theme Touche! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Jay said: Heh, I forgot that melody was used in three cues (it's also at the end of To The Maintenance Shed); People have come to refer to it as the electric fence theme Touche! I guess that is true. I concede. I am still so used to the original album. I like the original album arrangement making it part of Incident at Isla Nublar. I like having it that early in the listening experience, I like that the name works for both cues. Imo the title could work for High-Wire Stunts as well, considering everything. So I have always referred to it by that name. Although, like Horner's danger motif, we could call it Jurassic Park's danger motif. It is used to heighten excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Falstaft 2,132 Posted August 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 11, 2020 It's one of Williams's most colorful scores from the past 20-30 years, for sure, particularly in terms of orchestration. The whole thing is a glorious listen for the simply unparalleled flute writing if nothing else. Not sure of any other film score, Williams or not, that features such exuberant or technically impressive flute material, both solo and choir. Particularly in comparison to the Star Wars sequels, which, for all their riches in other areas, are decidedly less showy or inventive when it comes to instrumentation (a few exceptional moments notwithstanding, of course). Taikomochi, Jurassic Shark, crlbrg and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 6 minutes ago, Falstaft said: It's one of Williams's most colorful scores from the past 20-30 years, for sure, particularly in terms of orchestration. The whole thing is a glorious listen for the simply unparalleled flute writing if nothing else. Not sure of any other film score, Williams or not, that features such exuberant or technically impressive flute material, both solo and choir. Particularly in comparison to the Star Wars sequels, which, for all their riches in other areas, are decidedly less showy or inventive when it comes to instrumentation (a few exceptional moments notwithstanding, of course). Prisoner of Az has some great flute work. Not as much but still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 Are you referring to the Shawm cue? crlbrg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 No. Throughout the score I think all the flute work is excellent including the period sounding stuff, but I was thinking of the bird flight solo in particular. Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaft 2,132 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, blondheim said: No. Throughout the score I think all the flute work is excellent including the period sounding stuff, but I was thinking of the bird flight solo in particular. Oh for sure, though in HP:POA the flute is an impressive special effect in that one cue, and there's some other odds & ends, like the end of the alternate Saving Buckbeak. And maybe it stands out more as a result. But I wouldn't describe it as a flute showcase in the way the whole BFG score is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Falstaft said: Oh for sure, though in HP:POA the flute is an impressive special effect in that one cue, and there's some other odds & ends, like the end of the alternate Saving Buckbeak. And maybe it stands out more as a result. But I wouldn't describe it as a flute showcase in the way the whole BFG score is. I wouldn't call it a showcase and didn't. I acknowledged that there wasn't as much. I just thought it was a good recommendation for where to look next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Bespin said: Honestly, this score, like the movie, just fell between two chairs.... ....and sank into the abyss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, bruce marshall said: ....and sank into the abyss. Like my soul, sank into the abyss of dreams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 5 hours ago, Jurassic Shark said: By popular request. I'm thinking of starting a " BFG APPRECIATION THREAD" Appreciation Thread. Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Taikomochi 1,136 Posted August 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 11, 2020 I think it’s one of the mostly purely “Williams” scores in his oeuvre, his musical essence and personality distilled into this little film score. I love the thematic restraint, too, which may have disappointed some, but gives the score a very special intimacy. Listening to it is like spending a cozy Sunday with an old friend. Joni Wiljami, blondheim and Gurkensalat 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 56 minutes ago, Bespin said: Like my soul, sank into the abyss of dreams. Where THE BFG vanished Never to be spoken of again Except in the strange land of JWFAN.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 15 hours ago, Taikomochi said: I think it’s one of the mostly purely “Williams” scores in his oeuvre, his musical essence and personality distilled into this little film score. Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 It's funny because when I first heard it, I sort of rolled my eyes but now that is my favorite quality of the score. One of these days, when there is only the back catalog to explore, people will finally come around to our side of thinking about it. It happened with Horner's work. Taikomochi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I think it will only go up in people's estimations too; An expanded release would help too BrotherSound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Jay said: I think it will only go up in people's estimations too; An expanded release would help too Do we know how much is actually missing? I barely even watched the film, only to hear the score in context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I've never sat down and calculated or anything. There's also been a sheet music leak that reveals more music exists than is heard in the film. Maybe overall, 30 more minutes that aren't on the OST might exist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 10 minutes ago, Jay said: I've never sat down and calculated or anything. There's also been a sheet music leak that reveals more music exists than is heard in the film. Maybe overall, 30 more minutes that aren't on the OST might exist? Wow, I hope that is true. That is a lot of music. I am always curious how much music Williams has written and never recorded for his scores. I hope someone gets access to all that someday. Maybe he will bequeath it to a University and I can make a pilgrimage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I'm sure at some point the weird contract that makes post-2005 scores too expensive for the specialty labels will change, and then they'll be able to expand those too like all the pre-2005 scores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 2005 was such a great year for film music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I dunno, other than the John Williams scores, I don't find there was a lot of great film music after Return of the King and before The Hobbit. Feels like grand orchestral scores made a bit of a comeback in the 2010s after taking a step back for a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 1 minute ago, Jay said: .... Feels like grand orchestral scores made a bit of a comeback in the 2010s after taking a step back for a bit Is that the only kind of score you like? The only kind that can be " great"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,367 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 No. bruce marshall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondheim 1,157 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I don't only enjoy grand, orchestral scores so bear that in mind but off the top of my head besides the Williams: two great Elfmans, King Kong, Batman Begins, Goblet of Fire, Robots, Sahara, Harry Gregson had a decent year. That's at least 11 right there for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbs 14,317 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 19 minutes ago, Jay said: I'm sure at some point the weird contract that makes post-2005 scores too expensive for the specialty labels will change, and then they'll be able to expand those too like all the pre-2005 scores Those musicians must be screaming out for income right now. Shame they made their fees so prohibitive that the labels can't even expand their scores. I wonder if it also hastened the industry's move towards electronic and sample-library scoring, because studios don't have to worry about the heavy reuse fees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 12, 2020 Author Share Posted August 12, 2020 I doubt the fees from specialty labels make much difference for the individual orchestra player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 This score grew on my a lot. My only problem is the main themes don't really get exciting renditions in the underscore .at some point it sounded like sophie's Theme was going to get an Over the Moon moment but it just stops dead in it's track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,483 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 I hate all quotes of the Queen's theme, it remembers me that the story was made for little children, it have no sense at all. I don't know the BFG books, but I'm sure the meeting with the Queen was just one of the stories... I think this was an error to transpose that specific story in the movie. And the fart jokes... well... There are great classics like E.T. and there are hits&misses like the BFG. That's life! Btw, which tracks do we need to remove from the OST to avoid the Queen's theme? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docteur Qui 1,544 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 The BFG was a lovely movie and score. It’s a spiritual counterpart to Hook (or ever Potter 1), just as Tintin was to Raiders. As such, they’re entirely inessential, but it’s nice to see two masters revisit previous genres with some new tricks up their sleeves. If the movie was released in the 90’s (animation style notwithstanding - the score and storytelling I mean), it would be considered a classic. BrotherSound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,506 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 I have a story that goes with this. I was in Cannes when the film had its premiere there, but it was the only film for which I didn't get an accredited ticket. Nonetheless, I dressed up in a smoking, and placed myself in the 'rush ticket' line a couple of hours early, comfortably standing under an umbrella (it was raining). Not a lot of people there in the beginning. Then, I heard notes emanating from the speakers near the red carpet. I thought it sounded like LINCOLN, but it wasn't that. But it was clearly Williams, so I immediately thought it was from the score -- which it was (I was probably one of the first people to hear the score). Bizarre, I thought, that such a quintessential British movie had such an Americana-sounding score. But anyways, the premiere drew nearer. I watched Spielberg & co. stroll up the red carpet, but I never got in and went for a beer instead. When listening to the score later on, I thought back on this moment. My 'lukewarm' response at the time still held true when listening comfortably to the CD from home, not only because of the Americana stuff, but because of its whimsical, directionless quality in many of the tracks. It's not a bad score by any stretch of the imagination, but it leaves me relatively cold like most of Williams' post-2005 efforts. Maybe it will grow on me at some point. Williams himself certainly likes it enough to perform it in concerts. But I had expected another HOOK, more or less, with hints of his gorgeous pastoral/British sound, even if his recent track record had shown that he was not "there" anymore. Docteur Qui and Remco 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Remco 685 Posted August 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 14, 2020 I find there's something deeply touching about many short passages in the score. It's the kind of magic when you have music associated with children's stories but it could only have been written by a very wise (old) man. I feel that Ravel has this quality too. blondheim, Docteur Qui, Taikomochi and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 4 minutes ago, Remco said: I find there's something deeply touching about many short passages in the score. It's the kind of magic when you have music associated with children's stories but it could only have been written by a very wise (old) man. I feel that Ravel has this quality too. What about women? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docteur Qui 1,544 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Just now, Remco said: I find there's something deeply touching about many short passages in the score. It's the kind of magic when you have music associated with children's stories but it could only have been written by a very wise (old) man. I feel that Ravel has this quality too. Williams has always had a way of succinctly channeling the innocence and accompanying darkness of childhood stories, particularly in the past 20 years. Even when the films themselves fail to do so. Remco 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remco 685 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 @Jurassic Shark I believe John Williams and Maurice Ravel are men. Thor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,079 Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 But it doesn't seem you think an (old) female composer would be up to the task of writing magic music for a children story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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