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Congratulations are in order:
The June issue of classy, distinguished, full-color, slick paper British magazine BBC MUSIC includes in its Orchestral Reviews section a very appreciative critique of the new ON THE WATERFRONT OST. I'm assuming -- of course, I'll be apply to discover I'm wrong -- this is the very first Intrada album ever to appear in the classical music magazine's Reviews. (Writer Christopher Dingle rates "PERFORMANCE" with a high score, 4 STARS, (5 would have been highest). "RECORDING" rates 2 Stars, doubtless due to the archival acetates.)
Bravo, Intrada!
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I could swear that some of Intrada's recordings of classic scores (Ivanhoe, maybe Jason et al.) have had mention in classical reviews or online sites, maybe even American Record Guide. But I'm not sure and don't have time right now to research.
Whatever - this is great news to build awareness for this little neck of the woods. There are many Classical lovers who adore ancient recordings going back all the way to the beginning of the 20th century, so no worries about the archival nature of this one.
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Because it's Leonard Bernstein's only film score. Nothing hits the center of the classical target like Leonard Bernstein.
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I'm sure this is due at least in part to the fact it is a Leonard Bernstein score (and his only one).
Congrats Intrada!
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Oh, there's no doubt that film music recordings have been reviewed in such magazines before. The most venerable of all the British music periodicals, Gramophone, once even ran an article about John and Bill in Moscow recording HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN.
But yes, of course this particular CD made the grade because of Bernstein. I just took that as a given.
Thing, I hope you don't go in for paranoiac conspiracy theories.  When you consider all the variables in a CD's even coming to the attention of a periodical, (one overseas yet), and the lag time between writing a review and having it see print, etc., etc. this review is not really tardy at all. I don't remember its exact release date, but it was just a few months ago, right? I assume the disc is still in print, and that Intrada would still like to keep selling it. I haven't even got my own copy yet, (but that's mostly due to unforeseen circumstances which have delayed my customary monthly visits to my pusher -- er, soundtrack dealer).
I'd like to have included a link to the whole review, but at present there isn't one. (Incidentally, I'm going to revise my first post. 4 stars is a high score, but not the top score, which would be 5.) But let me quote this brief excerpt (which won't surprise Thor): "The discovery of acetates of the sessions, including music omitted from the final film, is therefore cause for celebration. Even allowing for the recording's age, the sound quality is often some way short of pristine, there clearly being some degradation over time. It is also true that the music for some of the cues is purely functional or fragmentary. Nonetheless, this is a disc that is essential listening for any devotee of Bernstein's music or, for that matter, the film."
BTW, I'll stand by my Bravo for Intrada. That's just my way of saying, "Way to go. I hope you guys make a few more bucks out of it."
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Exactly. Scores like these always get 'carte blanche' in classical circles -- a rare score from a composer who otherwise writes "proper" music. Such reviews almost always point out the "drawback" of having the music written for specific scenes, but still find something good in line with the composer's other work.
This is simply because it is a mainstream classical composer writing the music, and that's the genre the magazine focuses on. Unless I'm mistaken - Preston, correct me please, I don't read the magazine very often - BBC doesn't spend much time at all on film music. But that doesn't inherently mean that they are always looking down on it - it's just not the mandate.
Again with the worrying over categories - we categorize, it's medieval of us, but when you have a niche publication you stay within the niche.
I'll worry that classical rags aren't talking enough about film music when this board talks more about classical music.
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Bravo -- there's that word again -- Sean! No correction is necessary, just applause.
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For a minute there I thought the thread title meant that Intrada had done a deal to release music owned by the BBC (and that they had announced some '80s titles and that "Grade" was a reference to Michael Grade), but alas... (there's lots of BBC stuff I'd love to see released on CD, including Kamen and Clapton's EDGE OF DARKNESS and Paddy Kingsland's THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY.)
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Right you are. And scores of scores by Christopher Gunning, among others.
Sorry to have gotten your hopes up. I've just revised the headline accordingly. Thanks.
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Thanks, Bob. I rest my case.
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Thanks, Bob. I rest my case.
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For a minute there I thought the thread title meant that Intrada had done a deal to release music owned by the BBC
You are joking, right?
Well maybe for a second. I would've been more convinced if it said Silva or Tadlow. But there is a lot of good stuff at the Beeb unreleased or partially released.
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I am a long-time subscriber to BBC MUSIC. Film music is covered from time to time. In fact I remember seeing special features about film music, highlighting more recent recordings. As I recall, the Gamba recordings on Chandos have been mentioned.
This magazine provides a CD from the BBC archives with each issue. Several years ago there was one devoted to film music. The following selections were performed by the BBC Symphony conducted by Leonard Slatkin with various soloists.
Bernstein: On the Waterfront – Suite
Gershwin: Shall We Dance – Promenade
Korngold: Deception – Cello Concerto in C
Rosza: Spellbound Concerto
Waxman: Humoresque – Tristan and Isolde Fantasy
The issue was Vol. 12, No. 2
I have this CD, it's a good collection. If I recall correctly, it tied into and promoted a BBC 4 series about film music hosted by Leonard Slatkin.
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