I like AFL's work in general and Siege is good but not one of his easiest to get into.I haven't played it in a while and don't remember any really strong themes,good solid music,yes.Some of his other stuff that has come out recently has taken precedence over it(Continento perduto,The one with pontius pilate on it and some others).You get your money's worth in duration at least.(I'll have to pull it out now and have another listen!).
Any thoughts on this score ? Is this one of Lavagnino's best ?
Pardon me for resurrecting this 4.5-year-old thread which spells Syracuse with an "a" instead of a "y", but since this thread is devoted to Lavagnino's L'Assedio Di Siracusa I'll use it post some of my input on it over the next few days.
Track list: 01. Strage sul mare (01:18) 02. L'assedio di Siracusa (titoli) (02:22) 03. Clio e arrivo carovana delle Danzatrici (01:34) 04. Diana fa il bagno e incontro con Archimede (04:59) 05. Attimo romantico ed entrata a Siracusa (01:48) 06. Balletto sulla nave (02:24) 07. Archimede parla a Diana (01:31) 08. Archimede e Diana nel tempio (03:40) 09. Scena d'amore al mare (02:31) 10. Ritorno a Siracusa e Clio tra gli ulivi (03:10) 11. Attesa di Diana (01:07) 12. Tristezza di Diana e tradimento di Gorgia (03:55) 13. Malore di Diana e Archimede incontra Clio (03:25) 14. Diana perde la memoria e Claudio Marcello innamorato (01:09) 15. Matrimonio di Archimede e Clio (02:27) 16. Il nuovo console Claudio Marcello (01:07) 17. Il passato di Diana e serenita familiare (03:13) 18. Disperazione di Clio (02:02) 19. Rabbia di Gerone e Archimede incontra Claudio Marcello (01:42) 20. Diana riacquista la memoria (03:23) 21. Fuga e morte di Clio (01:50) 22. L'ombra del passato (02:23) 23. L'assedio e piani di Archimede (02:11) 24. Preparati alla battaglia marina (02:50) 25. Battaglia marina (03:11) 26. La battaglia continua e gli specchi di Archimede (04:04) 27. Siracusa assediata e Archimede uccide Gorgia (02:59) 28. Battaglia a palazzo e funerale di Claudio Marcello (03:08) 29. La vita esiste (00:59)
The runtime duration is 73:30 minutes.
This item is listed as "sold out" inside Digitmovies's website, but remains in stock @ SAE (and some other vendors, too).
As a preface, the score for SEIGE OF SYRACUSE is written very much in a late-1950s romantic mold. Pre-existing appreciation for Golden Age/1950s soundtracks is a good primer for exploration into Italian peplum albums. If one likes the music of George Duning and/or Bronislau Kaper, one could be receptive to this Lavagnino opus. Lavagnino's love theme for this picture is a long-lined melody tinged with melancholy, not unlike those of Kaper or Friedhofer.
For folks already attuned to Italian peplum, no examples from Hollywood are needed. Lavagnino's scores are likely already familiar with you.
In my personal ranking, SIEGE OF SYRACUSE is currently my 4th favorite Lavagnino, and my 3rd favorite Lavagnino peplum.
A.F.L.'s SAFFO (also 1960) is @ #2 and my #3 is his SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR (1959).
[my favorite Lavagnino is IL CASTELLO DEI MORTI VIVI ]
I've really liked this score, especially its gorgeously romantic main theme, ever since I saw and recorded the film around two and a half [?] decades ago on TV. I never dreamed it would one day get a release on CD, it was a great day for me!
