A slight correction must be made regarding the score for "Suddenly, Last Summer":
Sir Malcolm Arnold scored only part of the film, because he left due to the film's subject matter (mental illness).
Also, since "The Thin Red Line" was released by Allied Artists, it cries out for a Warner Archive Collection D.V.D. release. If not the score, let's sees at least a M.O.D. D.V.D. releases (and in widescreen).
Twiligfht Time has announced a Blu-ray of "The Roots of Heaven" that will contain an isolated score track.
Excellent news! If there's a large enough interest in "The Roots Of Heaven", its likely due to those who are already familiar with Malcolm Arnold's soundtrack.
I wonder how many, never having seen the picture, would be interested in this title if they have never heard (or heard of) Arnold's score for "Roots"?
Although I prefer Arnold's "Indian" music for "Nine Hours To Rama" over any of his "African" scores, I consider "Roots Of Heaven" to be the better selection for digital restoration and Blu-Ray disc than Arnold's other "African" score for "The Lion".
Of all the rare LP soundtrack by Arnold, "The Lion" may be the rarest but the film itself is rather slight on its material, which is of minimal interest anyway, IMO.
It's always intersting to me that eventually you will find someone whose opinion is 180 degrees from your own.
I much prefer Arnold's "African" stores to his NINE HOURS TO RAMA....I've always found it one of his least interesting scores and much to heavily dependent on very traditional raga-style cues. While I do agree that ROOTS OF HEAVEN is a marginally better score than THE LION, I completely disagree on the film. I would love for someone, anyone to release THE LION on DVD or Blu-Ray. I loved the film and found it far more compelling than ROOTS OF HEAVEN. Pamela Franklin alone makes it a delight to watch, but the performances of Holden and Capucine and, yes, the lion, are all wonderful.
The Heroes of Telemark (Columbia, 1966) - Location scenes filmed in Norway and on the south coast of England at Poole and Weymouth. This film DID receive a Mainstream LP release of Arnold’s score, but in a terrible sounding mono recording and electronically enhanced stereo. Original Columbia Pictures tracks from the 1960s are practically nonexistent, and its foreign origins make this one particularly difficult. Even when Mainstream was releasing CDs of its own LPs back in the early 1990s, this one was skipped, probably because even the LP master was missing.
I really hope some label can do this right in the future! The main theme is so great, I'm wondering why it was never re-recorded?
The Heroes of Telemark (Columbia, 1966) - Location scenes filmed in Norway and on the south coast of England at Poole and Weymouth. This film DID receive a Mainstream LP release of Arnold’s score, but in a terrible sounding mono recording and electronically enhanced stereo. Original Columbia Pictures tracks from the 1960s are practically nonexistent, and its foreign origins make this one particularly difficult. Even when Mainstream was releasing CDs of its own LPs back in the early 1990s, this one was skipped, probably because even the LP master was missing.
I really hope some label can do this right in the future! The main theme is so great, I'm wondering why it was never re-recorded?
That is unless Rumon Gumba and the B.B.C. Philharmonic do a third volume of rerecordings of music from Arnold's films (along with "The Thin Red Line" and "Africa - Texas Style").
I must offer my (belated!) kudos to Bob DiMucci for all his hard work in his Arnold film listings/descriptions. And before I forget to mention it, all of Arnold's film scores were done in Old Blighty.
I did wonder, initially, if the Moscow musicians could pull off performing Roots of Heaven and (especially) David Copperfield. But they did. Stromberg and Morgan's efforts really shine through. Admittedly, as an Arnold admirer, you can call me biased, but I can also be objective. I am simply grateful to have multiple recordings of both Roots and Copperfield.
Whilst not a huge follower of Alfred Newman, I did think he did a great job in adapting Arnold's music in those couple of cues on Roots. Yes, Newman can be sentimental, but again, I did not feel that way in his musical approach towards Roots.
I've never even heard of the 'rumor' that Arnold was miffed at having his named misspelled on the Copperfield LP. Like anyone, I'm sure he wasn't pleased, but I do not believe there is any public evidence of his feelings. Nor do I think he had the clout to stop the LPs distribution. So, unless there is a published quote, I think it's best quash this 'rumor'.
As to the Arnold films Bob was kind enough to list above, a great many have very short scores (certainly, too brief to warrant a LP release). Off the top of head, I think The Reckoning (1969), probably at most, has around 15 min of score.
I would love to see a third volume of Malcolm Arnold on the Chandos label. There is more than enough quality music that can be orchestred/arranged for suites. My biggest concern would be in what they would record. Obviously, in selling any type of film compilation album, you need a 'A' list movie title (or two) to grab the possible CD buyer's attention. After that, you can then concentrate on the lesser known films, where the music might even be better than the 'A' titles.
For me, the following film scores could be re-worked into some very fine suites;
Heroes of Telemark (1965) ['A' title] Island in the Sun (1957) ['A' title] Four Sided Triangle (1953) The Night My Number Came Up (1955) The Deep Blue Sea (1955) The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's (1960) Tunes of Glory (1960) Lisa (1962)
I just got through listening to the "The Cinema Of Juliette Greco" C.D. and got through listening to the original soundtrack recording of Sir Malcolm Arnold's score for "The Roots Of Heaven".
So is the vinyl release (and thus the Greco CD) definitely the original recording? I just received it, and the sonics are different from the Twilight Time blu-ray isolated track. The blu-ray booklet doesnt indicate its music sources, although some cues are definitely music with effects. There is a difference in content (ie blu-ray doesnt include overture).
I have the LP of The Roots of Heaven soundtrack and haven't listened to it in many years. The rerecording is splendid.
Originally ROH was shown as a Roadshow presentation here at least in NYC which I will assume included the Overture. Yes, the bluray does not include the overture. I've asked TT about it without receiving a response. I will just assume it was not on the transfer they received from FOX and they didn't ask about the missing music.
I have the LP of The Roots of Heaven soundtrack and haven't listened to it in many years. The rerecording is splendid.
Originally ROH was shown as a Roadshow presentation here at least in NYC which I will assume included the Overture. Yes, the bluray does not include the overture. I've asked TT about it without receiving a response. I will just assume it was not on the transfer they received from FOX and they didn't ask about the missing music.
I think the overture was written for the premiere of the film.
The main theme of the overture has always struck me as being something special. I was rather surprised and disappointed that Mr. Arnold made such little use of it OUTSIDE the Overture in the score proper. Great score, notwithstanding.
I mentioned the missing overture from the blu-ray as an example - other music is dialed out or overlaps as compared to the LP (or CD) where the tracks are longer. IF the LP/CD are definitely the original tracks, then they are pre-film versions.
"The main theme of the overture has always struck me as being something special. I was rather surprised and disappointed that Mr. Arnold made such little use of it OUTSIDE the Overture in the score proper. Great score, notwithstanding."
OOPS! Major mistake -- I was thinking not of the Overture but the glorious tune in the Main Title!
