We all descended from a shrew-like mammal that crawled out of the ground after the asteroid killed the dinosaurs, so yes, we both share DNA with our brethren from Norway.
Curiously, much of ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY survives on acetate.
Does enough material exist to justify a release on CD? Given that a truly comprehensive presentation of this early but quite iconic Herrmann score has never been made, has any label ever expressed interest in producing a soundtrack recording utilizing these acetates?
I've long ago come to the conclusion that in order to be able to enjoy the definitive CITIZEN KANE re-recording (in the absence of the original tracks) one must obtain all the re-recordings and piece together the best assembly of the most pleasing performances available to us - kind of like how Bill Alland pieces Kane's life together in search of "Rosebud." For me, no single recording has managed to be definitive on its own.
I seem to remember hearing that acetates of some of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS original tracks survive out there somewhere. CITIZEN KANE's opening music can be heard on a compilation called "Composed By" but it is taken directly from the film and, therefore, includes Welles' utterance of "Rosebud." Unexpectedly, the same disc includes a piece from THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS credited to Herrmann but is actually a piece written by Roy Webb when he was drafted to score one of the re-shot scenes.
The newsreel sequence was actually recorded by (of all people) Leroy Holmes in his attempt to do CITIZEN KANE (it was not good).
Herrmann does briefly quote the "Mr. Kane" song in one of the pieces that ended up in his "Welles Raises Kane" suite.
I seem to remember hearing that acetates of some of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS original tracks survive out there somewhere.
In the late 1990s, files of Magnificent Ambersons and Citizen Kane acetates were circulating. They were not commercially released; I was conflating them with another release mentioned above. Quality was archival. I assume that someone made a dub of the acetates long ago, and then someone digitized the tapes.
It's very much "archival quality". I think any money invested in this score would be much better spent on a comprehensive new recording.
Oh, I don't think so. There must be enough people like me who would buy the original recording no matter how "archival" the quality is. After all, it's Bernard Herrmann. That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
What the hell does that even mean?
Probably means, more like a close miked score than a concert work. Like MMM's rerecordings.
That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
What the hell does that even mean?
Probably means, more like a close miked score than a concert work. Like MMM's rerecordings.
It's very much "archival quality". I think any money invested in this score would be much better spent on a comprehensive new recording.
Oh, I don't think so. There must be enough people like me who would buy the original recording no matter how "archival" the quality is. After all, it's Bernard Herrmann. That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
Some years ago Tribute had planned to do a re-recording, but then the project was (I believe) put on hold. I think the reason given was that many of the cues were very short and it was felt the score didn't flow well from one cue to the next, something like that. I have the film on DVD and watch it regularly. I love the score -- I would definitely buy CDs of both the original soundtrack and a complete re-recording.
That said, if a re-recording was made, I would love for it to be reproduced using recording techniques of the time, so it doesn't end up sounding like a modern recording.
What the hell does that even mean?
Probably means, more like a close miked score than a concert work. Like MMM's rerecordings.
Exactly.
Reminds me of what Howard Shore did for Places In The Heart.
There must be enough people like me who would buy the original recording no matter how "archival" the quality is. After all, it's Bernard Herrmann.
I don't know about that. I love Herrmann, but if Ray Faiola says "It's very much 'archival quality'", I'm guessing those acetates sound pretty damn bad, and that's a deal-killer for sure. I've found I'll listen to FSM's excellent "On Dangerous Ground" from acetates, but almost never do I return to the horrendously scratchy FMS release of Rozsa's "Jungle Book". I've learned my lesson: "archival quality" is largely for archives. I want something listenable.
