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If you have an HD set up, revisit the gorgeous recent Olive blu-ray of "The Buccaneer", nice sharp transfer and decent sound.
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I've been wondering if any of the labels are in the process, or thinking about, bringing out an expanded release of the wonderful Bernstein score?
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Posted: |
Nov 6, 2013 - 3:41 AM
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By: |
manderley
(Member)
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These older threads about THE BUCCANEER are quite interesting, but the most unusual highlight seems to be the real conflict over the recording of the music---the conductor, the venue, and the country:
James MacMillan argues that the score was recorded in Munich during the musician's strike, and that Kurt Graunke was the conductor. He cites Bernstein's own comments at various times, and also references several entries regarding THE BUCCANEER in a log book indicating that the Graunke group was involved in a recording of THE BUCCANEER, among various other Graunke sessions for films over the years.
Joe Caps, on the other hand, cites comments made to him by Bernstein that the score was recorded in Mexico during the musician's strike. Since Joe also re-mixed the laserdisc for stereo from the original recording sessions, he has argued that the Paramount log sheets and cue sheets that were made available to him during this remix indicated that the recording was done in Mexico, and that the conducting chores are credited to Bernstein on these same sheets. Additionally, he notes that the voice-over slating was done in Spanish, and that he can hear chatter by Bernstein, himself, during pre-and-post "takes".
It never occurred to me before that both these viewpoints might be CORRECT. If Joe had a stereo track---presumably recorded in Mexico---which synced to the picture, then this HAD to be the picture's original soundtrack music elements, without question. On the other hand, the original Columbia recording, which we've long thought to be the soundtrack, may not be a soundtrack recording at all as we have all assumed, but a re-recording, done in Munich.
It would be interesting to find out if any or all of the cues on the Columbia "soundtrack" recording sync to the picture without any fudging or stretching. Perhaps one of our highly-trained computer experts with a fine SoundForge program could try these cues out against the picture and give a response.
A fascinating mystery from 50 years ago, I'd say.
Of course, the matter may even be more complicated. Wasn't it VERTIGO which had bits of recording sessions in the US, London, and Munich during this period?
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Posted: |
Nov 6, 2013 - 8:01 PM
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By: |
TomD
(Member)
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It never occurred to me before that both these viewpoints might be CORRECT. If Joe had a stereo track---presumably recorded in Mexico---which synced to the picture, then this HAD to be the picture's original soundtrack music elements, without question. On the other hand, the original Columbia recording, which we've long thought to be the soundtrack, may not be a soundtrack recording at all as we have all assumed, but a re-recording, done in Munich.
The Buccaneer was a VistaVision release, so it seems doubtful that they would mix a stereo track to sync to the mono print. I don't think Paramount was releasing stereo prints at the time. It is possible that they planned ahead for a stereo album, of course. But, was it possible to record in stereo in Mexico at the time? I don't know.
A three track recording to better balance the orchestra with voices and sound effects might have been possible, but The Buccaneer sounds like a real stereo spread to me, at least as compared to three track conversions of Seventh Voyage of Sinbad or Zulu, for example.
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Bernstein's 'The Buccaneer' has always been a favourite and a much under-appreciated score. Created on the wings of 'Ten Commandments' is has almost as much grandeur and is a melodic banquet. I also consider the film itself terribly under-rated. It's a fine, solid, although glossy historical epic. Any 7 year old worth his salt in 1958 will never forget being thrilled by 'The Battle of New Orleans'. Ha!
Absolutely Bob! I was exactly seven when I saw it in 1958 and I can still remember the "The Battle of New Orleans" sequence, it was exciting!
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