Stephen C. Meyer of Syracuse University (home of the Rozsa and Waxman archives) has written what looks like a promising new book, just published by Indiana University Press.
Acknowledgements Note to Readers Introduction 1. A Biblical Story, for the Post-World-War II Generation?: Victor Young's Music for DeMille’s Samson and Delilah 2. Turning Away from "Concocted Spectacle": Alfred Newman's Score for David and Bathsheba 3. Spectacle and Authenticity in Miklós Rózsa's Quo Vadis Score 4. Novel and Film, Music and Miracle: Alfred Newman's Score to The Robe 5. Spirit and Empire: Elmer Bernstein's Score to The Ten Commandments 6. The Law of Genre and the Music for Ben-Hur 7. King of Kings and the Problem of Repetition 8. Suoni nuovi, suoni antichi: The Soundscapes of Barabbas 9. Universality, Transcendence, and Collapse: Music and The Greatest Story Ever Told Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index
Cursory examination suggests that the author is familiar with both musical and cinema scholarship -- a necessary (but not always realized) set of qualifications. It's a pity that no chapter is devoted to The Story of Ruth, a beautiful but low-key score that represents still another approach to biblical material. The obscurity of that movie militates against extensive treatment, but maybe it will receive incidental mention. I am really looking forward to this book.
Just when I almost lose hope in this board, a topic like this comes up. Thanks so much for sharing - and to the publishers for making this available as an e-book!
Just ordered and received eBook version of this title. It's a good price ($20) compared to the hardcover version (about $30). Just finished the first chapter on "Samson & Delilah"(Victor Young). This is quite a read. It helps to have the recorded music close at hand while reading. I can't read music so the samples included in the text don't mean anything to me, but the author clearly describes the scenes he's referring to in the text. There is also lots of commentary on the social and political times in which these films were produced. The composers' places in the pantheon of film scoring is also discussed. I've just begun the second chapter on "David & Bathsheba" (Alfred Newman), one my personal favorite scores.
Just when I almost lose hope in this board, a topic like this comes up. Thanks so much for sharing - and to the publishers for making this available as an e-book!
Here's another book that's popped up (no reviews yet):
