I purchased this score last week and it arrived today. It took my breath away - I listened to it twice through and will do the same tomorrow.
As I listened, I waxed a bit philosophical having just read the thread regarding the manner in which some members critique music and each other here. The beauty of this score made me realize how I so appreciate the talent, time and work of these composers. I may not choose to listen to or purchase the particular works of a particular composer. That is the way with all of us. I am not a rabid fan of a particular composer- I have my favorites. But I can honestly say that I respect and appreciate the works of all.
I am not a Pollyanna and am not wearing glasses with pink-tinted lenses at the moment though it may sound as if I am. My lack of a musical background per se does not make me a simpleton when speaking on this subject. I have 2 ears that function very well and know what they like. However, it is not beneath them to listen to and even tolerate a score that they will only try once.
I am not naive and certainly realize that the deeper you are into the creation and production of this music, the deeper your analysis and opinion can go. For me, the inexperience is a blessing - it leaves me to simply listen and listen again if I so choose.
This score by Christopher Gunning is a thing of beauty and I wish I could tell him personally how impressed I am.
This is a beautiful score. I love it too. MR GUNNING has spent most of his career doing music for TV shows, a few TV movies and unfortunately only a handful of feature length films. Has also done his share of classical music as well. Everything I have heard from him I liked, Too bad like some other film composers he was not prolific dong them, His score for HAMMER'S HANDS OF THE RIPPER-71- is a nice score with a very beautiful main theme throughout. RIGHT GRAHAM T WATT?
A WONDERFUL score with such a gorgeous, evocative main theme. That vocalise... Wow! For some reason, I often listen to this with Holdridge's score for "Splash"' Not sure why but I always find their highly romanticized depiction of the sea to be good companion pieces.
On a side note, I totally agree with the OP. It seems around these parts people focus on the composer specifically, rather than the SCORE as it stands alone. Not to name names, but Goldsmith in particular seems to get so much hype around here compared to others, ditto for Barry. This "certain composers can do no wrong" mindset is baffling to me - even the best produce turkeys sometimes!
Anyway, off of my soapbox - This is a score EVERYONE should be familiar with!
Well maybe a nice new thread should go like this. SCORES WE LOVED FOM NON PROLIFIC FILM COMPOSERS OR MUCH UNDERATED ONES. If someone does not want to start such a thread maybe I will in a few days. Maybe it will be popular, maybe not. why not give it a try,
A WONDERFUL score with such a gorgeous, evocative main theme. That vocalise... Wow! For some reason, I often listen to this with Holdridge's score for "Splash"' Not sure why but I always find their highly romanticized depiction of the sea to be good companion pieces.
On a side note, I totally agree with the OP. It seems around these parts people focus on the composer specifically, rather than the SCORE as it stands alone. Not to name names, but Goldsmith in particular seems to get so much hype around here compared to others, ditto for Barry. This "certain composers can do no wrong" mindset is baffling to me - even the best produce turkeys sometimes!
Anyway, off of my soapbox - This is a score EVERYONE should be familiar with!
Agreed. I would bet that the composers might willingly offer up their opinion of their personal "turkey". More interesting still - it might not match our version of their "turkey".
What I love about "When the Whales Came" is the way the composer captures the mysterious and haunting song of the whales.
..., ditto for Barry. This "certain composers can do no wrong" mindset is baffling to me - even the best produce turkeys sometimes! ...
Here, I have to disagree with you ... I've yet to hear a turkey with the name John Barry attached.
But then, I've been listening to his music for only 40+ years ... it's early days, maybe the next score! Seriously, that's why he's been my favourite and - for me - the best in this business.
As for the subject title: it is a lovely score though I could happily dispense with the dialogue (not having seen the film). I've known his name for almost as long as I've known that of Barry. I recall watching a TV series back in the early 1970s, starring Ian Holm, The Man from Haven and it had a wonderful main title theme ... and so Mr. Gunning's name entered my head.
