Various times over the years, it's been mentioned that so-and-so score won't be released, because the composer doesn't want it out there (e.g. John Williams and the Sugarland Express, for example). I'm curious as to how this works. I was under the (probably naive) impression that the studio that hired the composer owns the rights to the music and so, assuming they want to license the score to a label, there should be no issue.
Am I missing something here? Or do labels just avoid releasing certain scores out of deference to the composers in question? I'm not intending this as a criticism of composers that don't want some music out there, I'm just honestly curious is all!
Composers are "work for hire" and do not own the scores they compose. Unless it's some indie film where they may make an agreement to keep the rights.
I think the labels have good working relationships with composers like John Williams and it's to they're advantage to honor the requests (on not releasing some scores) so not to sour future corporation on other releases.
The labels are fans as much as us, and don't want to make the composers unhappy.
The labels are fans as much as us, and don't want to make the composers unhappy.
I imagine this plays a large role in this situation.
Plus, sometime composers keep the only known personal copies of tapes on lock-down (Trevor Jones & the complete DARK CRYSTAL come to mind) for whatever reason, making a circumventive move on behalf of the label impossible. My understanding that this is also the reason why we haven't seen a complete release of Horner's BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS or THE HAND as well, though someone might correct me on the later.
Indeed. My understanding is that it's very rare indeed that a composer has any legal right to block a release. But for the paltry fee a studio will make from a soundtrack album, it's not worth it for them to piss a composer off.
My understanding that this is also the reason why we haven't seen a complete release of Horner's BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS or THE HAND as well, though someone might correct me on the later.
No need to correct, that's exactly the case. Intrada wanted to release "The Hand" and chose to honor Horner's preference not to (along with the studio).
