Prince Valiant CD

News flash by Lukas Kendall

It's been one of the least well-kept secrets in film music, but now we're going public: our next limited edition CD release -- and the first in our promised "Golden Age Classics" series -- is none other than Prince Valiant (1954) by Franz Waxman, from the glorious 20th Century Fox archives.

Prince Valiant is one of Franz Waxman's greatest scores: a stirring knights-and-adventure work in the classic symphonic tradition of The Adventures of Robin Hood and Star Wars. It features a dynamic set of themes and variations: a brash, heroic melody for Prince Valiant (Robert Wagner), swelling love music for Princess Aleta (Janet Leigh), a noble theme for Sir Gawain (Sterling Hayden), malevolent material for Sir Brack (James Mason), and many other motives and melodies for the settings and ideas.

Charles Gerhardt (to whom this album is dedicated) recorded a suite from Prince Valiant to open his Classic Film Scores of Franz Waxman volume in the early 1970s. This CD presents the premiere release of the original soundtrack as conducted by Waxman for the film. It has been remixed in stereo from the original 35mm magnetic film elements and carries forth the crisp, energetic playing of the 20th Century Fox studio orchestra.

Fortunately, almost all of the score has survived in excellent condition, particularly the exciting and action-filled material for the movie's third act, when Valiant is captured and must escape to fight his enemies. Sadly, certain incidental fanfares have been lost, and an eight-minute swath of music was afflicted with noticeable mag wow--this has been included at the end of the disc as a bonus track.

Prince Valiant has long been one of the most requested scores from the Fox archives -- at one time Varese Sarabande had announced it, but only temporarily -- and finally, here it is! The 16-page booklet features stills from the Fox archives, rare photographs of the composer, and liner notes by Doug Adams.

$19.95 plus shipping

Track List

1. Main Title (2:07). 2. King Aguar's Escape (2:46). 3. Sir Gawain (2:47). 4. King Arthur Speaks (0:56). 5. Sir Brack (4:50). 6. Val Escapes (2:39). 7. Val and Aleta (3:24). 8. Procession (0:53). 9. Valiant's Report (1:29). 10. Aleta and Ilene/The Wrong Girl/Aleta (4:20).

11. The Banquet (1:42). 12. The Ring (4:41). 13. Val's Capture (2:27). 14. Trapped (2:06). 15. Escape (5:53). 16. Dash to the Tower (4:35). 17. Sligone's Death (1:08). 18. The Singing Sword/Sir Brack's Death (2:43)

Bonus Material: 19. Alternate Fanfare (0:13). 20. The Pledge/Val Leaves the Island/The Fens/The First Chase (damaged) (8:25)

Album Produced by Nick Redman & Lukas Kendall

How to Order

Our CD is IN STOCK NOW and we're shipping them as fast as we can. Please use one of these two options:

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2) Print and fax or mail this handy form.

Subscribers to our "Classics Charter Club" series who have asked for Golden Age Classics -- your disc is in the mail! We'll have a page of information on our Club up shortly.

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