Film Score Friday 10/29/99
by Lukas Kendall
Lalo Schifrin's Mannix CD is out -- this is not, as I previously
thought, the original LP recording, but a new recording Schifrin conducted
in Germany of those album arrangements, plus four new tracks. Sounds pretty
great. (I first became aware of the Mannix theme when I heard it in the
Star Trek blooper reel, over the I, Mudd outtakes....)
LP collectors, here's a site to check out: http://www.discoverusa.com/wi/prtcljz.
This is the website for Port Classical and Jazz Records -- lots of vinyl
soundtracks for sale.
Elmer Bernstein Radio Score
From: Preston Jones <pjones@fulpat.com>
I got the New York Times on Sunday and the Arts & Leisure section
had an article about Norman Corwin, still going strong in his nineties,
God bless him, and writing-producing a half-hour National Public Radio
program to commemorate the Millennium -- much like his shows in the Forties
to celebrate the Bill of Rights, V-E day, etc. Walter Chronkite will narrate,
and the score is by Elmer Bernstein.
Upcoming Radio Show
From: Jimmy Aquino <jim@aquino.com>
Ever heard a film-music radio program mixing film music with radio
drama? If you haven't, check out A Fistful of Soundtracks Halloween Special
1999, Saturday, October 30, 12PM PST at http://www.webradio.com/kzsc. Co-written
and co-produced by me, the program's regular host, Jim Aquino, and Necip
Mehmet, who wrote for UC Riverside radio's yet-to-be-aired suspense series
"Shards," the special is my program's second annual mix of Halloween
film music and horror-comedy radio drama. It will feature music from Stigmata
(Billy Corgan and Mike Garson), Stir of Echoes (James Newton Howard), The
Sixth Sense (also Howard), The Fury (John Williams), Rhino's newly restored
release of King Kong (Max Steiner) and Vampyros Lesbos (Vampires Sound
Inc.). You'll also hear selections from compilations like DRG Records'
Ennio Morricone: The Thriller Collection, Hip-O's Alfred Hitchcock Presents...
Signatures in Suspense and Sonic Images' The Snow Files: The Film Music
of Mark Snow and Watch the Skies. In between the music, the radio drama-style
show will spoof everything, from Blair Witch parodies to Gap commercials
to Al Gore to MTV's Jesse Camp to Eyes Wide Shut. I don't think you've
ever heard a film-music radio program's Halloween show quite like this.
Again, catch it Saturday, October 30, 12-3PM PST at http://www.webradio.com/kzsc.
For more info about A Fistful of Soundtracks, click to http://jim.aquino.com.
Music Scores (the Written Kind)
From: "carmoniousmonk" <beatles@flash.net>
I started a post on the message boards about printed film music
scores under carmoniousmonk. So as far as what id like to see on FSM, it
is that. Any information that will help me obtain printed film music scores.
Im surprised they are not more readily available. How hard would it be
to get student composers or anyone who wants to study said scores to sign
an agreement? This would help the music publishers not lose any money on
"unauthorized" performances. Otherwise they could take us to
court. Right? But as i stated in the post, if i really become too obsessive
over it, i will transcribe it by ear, rearrange it for a small ensemble,
and gig with it all over town. The music publishers are still going to
lose money that way, too. But if they would just play nice and fair, everyone
would win. They could receive money from me. I could receive a score to
Mad Max or Cocoon to listen and read. And everyone would be happy. Or maybe
im just still too young and naive of a composer to know that they are already
easily available. So that is my major beef. Also if you ever happen to
come across any music by dean elliott (cartoon composer) send it my way
please. He did the music for Rikki TikiTtavi drawn by Chuck Jones. and
the 70's era Tom and Jerry, also drawn by Jones. Thak you for your time.
And keep up the good work on your web site. I love it. Oh, television scores
too.
We get asked this a lot, and here's
a column we printed basically explaining how these things are virtually
impossible to acquire. Sorry!
Theremin Event
I plucked this from FILMUS-L, a mailing list about film music. U.K.
readers take note!
From: Nick Haysom <nhaysom@FREEUK.COM>
GOOD VIBRATIONS - THE THEREMIN IN THE MOVIES
with
Steven M Martin, director, "Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey"
Bruce Woolley and The Radio Science Orchestra
Barry Wooding, instrument maker
Adrian Utley, musician
plus a screening of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Venue: Kingswood School Theatre, Lansdown, Bath
Date: Saturday 6 November 1430 - 2100
Tickets £9
Moscow, 1910. Engineer of genius Lev Sergeyevitch Termen invents
a musical instrument that does not require physical contact in order to
be played. The theremin, one of the first electronic musical instruments,
functions by generating electromagnetic fields which are moulded into tones
and volumes by the play of the hands in space.
In 1945 the instrument attracted the attention of Hollywood when
Miklos Rosza used one in his score for Hitchcock's Spellbound. Subsequently
composers turned to the theremin whenever an arresting and unearthly sound
was required - its apogee in film music was reached in Bernard Herrman's
score for Robert Wise's 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still,
but it remains most familiar from its use in the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations
- now you know what it sounds like!
"Good Vibrations" will be a fascinating day of exploration
of this strange, otherworidly instrument and its influence on cinema, and
will include a screening of Steven M Martin's documentary about the man
and the instrument, "Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey", introduced
by the director. Martin, the greatest authority on the history of the theremin,
will be flying over from New York especially for the event.
The performance by Bruce Woolley and the Radio Science Orchestra,
a flexible ensemble featuring the theremin alongside more conventional
instruments such as saxophone, flute, harp and keyboards, will feature
a set specially selected for this event. There will be 'hands-on' playing
opportunities for members of the audience on instruments provided by maker
Barry Wooding, and Adrian Utley, who has used theremin sounds in his writing
for the band Portishead, will be on hand to give advice on playing technique.
"Good Vibrations" will conclude with a screening of The
Day the Earth Stood Still, featuring Bernard Herrman's wonderfully atmospheric
score. In the setting of Kingswood School's state-of-the art theatre space,
this will be an event to remember - at time of going to press we are still
negotiating the appearance of some very special surprise guests!
For further information ring 01225 401149
Our Comancheros CD
From: Mathieu Beauregard <mbeauregard@lexitech.ca>
I got my Comancheros CD yesterday. What a great package this is.
The music is excellent, varied and always interesting (the sound quality
is also impressive). It makes me see (well, hear) Mr. Benstein's score
to Wild Wild West in a whole new light. Now I'll have to listen to The
Magnificient Seven again soon. The booklet's track descriptions are, as
usual, very informative. I also liked Nick Redman's comments about today's
movies. Thank you all for making me and many soundtrack lovers discover
or rediscover such music gems.
Thanks! We've been thrilled with the reception our Comancheros
CD has received. I saw Elmer Bernstein at his AFI tribute on Tuesday
and he enjoyed hearing it too -- NOBODY had a copy of this music prior
to our CD, and Elmer has always been fond of his main title for The
Comancheros. (He has good taste!)
Varese Compilation Track List
Here are the selections on Varese Sarabande's upcoming "Hollywood
'99" type CD, even though it's not called that, The Phantom Menace
and Other Film Hits.
STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE (John Williams)
Frederic Talgorn - Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus
1. STAR WARS MAIN TITLE and ARRIVAL AT NABOO
2. THE FLAG PARADE
3. ANAKIN'S THEME
4. THE ADVENTURES OF JAR JAR
5. DUEL OF THE FATES
6. THE MUMMY The Sand Volcano (Jerry Goldsmith)
Frederic Talgorn - Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus
7. THE SIXTH SENSE De Profundis (James Newton Howard)
Pete Anthony - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
8. INSTINCT Main Title (Danny Elfman)
Pete Anthony - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
9. WILD WILD WEST Main Title (Elmer Bernstein)
Elmer Bernstein - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
10. THE 13th WARRIOR Old Bagdad (Jerry Goldsmith)
Jerry Goldsmith - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
11. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Hymn to the Fallen (John Williams)
Frederic Talgorn - Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus
12. DEEP BLUE SEA Aftermath (Trevor Rabin)
Gordon Goodwin - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
13. THE IRON GIANT (Michael Kamen)
Michael Kamen - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
14. THE HAUNTING Home Safe (Jerry Goldsmith)
Jerry Goldsmith - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
15. THE MATRIX Main Title / Trinity Infinity (Don Davis)
Don Davis - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
16. PAYBACK Main Title (Chris Boardman)
Chris Boardman - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
17. SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Suite (Stephen Warbeck)
Frederic Talgorn - Royal Scottish National Orchestra
18. BOWFINGER Finale / Fed-Ex Delivers (David Newman)
David Newman - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Back in November! Have a good weekend.
MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com
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