 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Was the decision to spread the composed score over two discs a good choice?
It was necessary because it's 81 minutes long.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I think I wrote that it sounded like a layer of gauze was over at least some of the album cues. Tremendous achievement.
I didn't really appreciate this until I went through the set and A-B'd the tracks with different versions. Even with the album remastered here, the original tracks are a revelation. It's also fascinating to see how, for whatever reason, the album diverted from the score presentation. A lot of times we're talking about barely perceptible micro-edits or mastering but here the differences in many cases were immediately apparent. I'm so happy to have both to get the best possible version (according to ME) of the score. GREAT stuff and highly, highly recommended if you're on the fence.
Also it's been a while since I listened to this score so closely and it's crystal clear how it got him in the orbit of Peter Jackson and LOTR. I'd bet a dozen donuts that the Khazad Dum sequence was temped with "The Hunt Builds."
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm curious why The Hunter's Prelude is the same on both disc and the film version which plays slower with drums wasn't included.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Jan 7, 2019 - 5:20 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
JGouse0498
(Member)
|
Just got this in the mail today. Transferred them to MP3, and I'm listening to the Composed Score Version first (with the two unused album suites from Disc 3 tacked on after the End Credits). This had been one of my grail scores since I was an 11 y/o kid.
First: The sound quality is as incredible as others have posted. It's never sounded better!
Second: I'd really thought and hoped that the complete unedited score would have more variety, but sadly I find it just as repetitive as the original album. I love Kilar's theme for the Vampire Hunters as well as Mina/Elisabeta and Dracula's love theme, but (just like "Axel F" on the original Beverly Hills Cop release) it gets frustrating hearing it in nearly half of the cues!
Third: As I'm typing this, the End Credits just ended, and I'm listening to Mina/Jonathan (unused album suite) from the end of Disc 3. The liner notes indicated that this and "Dracula Toolbox D21" (which I listened to earlier while ripping the discs) were unlike anything else in the score, and that's 100% accurate. D21 in particular almost sounds like it could be in Patrick Doyle's Dead Again score. Listening to these two tracks is positively sublime and are truly hidden gems.
And now, it's time to listen to the alternate material from Disc 2 and the end of Disc 3 (minus the two suites above).
Bottom line so far...while I'm disappointed in the lack of musical diversity in the expansion and the still-short running time (I really thought this would've been closer to two hours), I'm very pleased with LLL's efforts on this set. It was long overdue, and the remastered sound is excellent!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Jan 7, 2019 - 5:49 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
JGouse0498
(Member)
|
How can you find it too repetitive but also too short?!
I'm not really sure what you're getting at there. Those are two separate things. For how long the movie is, I'd always figured the complete score would be closer to two hours. It's not. That was a surprise to me and disappointing. Maybe a longer score would've had more variety? I've found that to be the case with the expansions for Hook, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Star Trek: Beyond just to name a few.
And just because I'm frustrated and disappointed in how heavily the same two or three themes are repeated throughout the score doesn't mean I don't like it. Far from it. That's why I said that at the very end of my post.
Right now, I'm listening to the alternate material on Disc 2, and I'm enjoyed that much more than Disc 1. Yeah, some of it is repetitive, but some of the alternates are very unique. "The Storm" (w/o choir) sounds quite different with only the orchestra playing, and "The Letter (Part II)" is noticeably different. I haven't gotten to the alternate versions of "Race Against the Sunset" or the Toolbox cues yet, but I'm anticipating them being hidden gems too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All three versions of the Storm were used in the film along with Lucy's Party and Lucy's Lullaby (Vocal). It's become my favorite cue for this score.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Jan 8, 2019 - 4:22 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
JGouse0498
(Member)
|
Maybe a longer score would've had more variety?
But it probably wouldn't have been, which was my point. If it had been longer it would have been even more repetitive. Sometimes a shorter, tighter score is better - especially when there are limited themes with limited development.
In this case, you're probably right. Like I said, the examples I listed previously--the original commercial releases and the expansions were very much different because the commercial releases focused on highlights rather than letting the entire score shine through. Dracula though does seem very limited.
Now, that being said, it really is a fantastic release, and the heavy reliance upon a few themes doesn't make it a bad score. The "Mina/Dracula" theme is absolutely beautiful and one of the most lush romantic themes I've ever heard in a movie. The remastering alone made it worth the purchase! Plus, with a shorter-than-expected length, it means I can listen to it more spontaneously without having to make sure I have 2+ hours set aside to listen.
Honestly, the only teeth-gnashing problem I have with it is the case. Disc 1 doesn't stay seated very well, and it's tricky to close with the booklet in there.
But if that's the worst? LOL...I'd say this set is a definite winner! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since I know the movie rather well, I have to admit I never thought the music would be two hours long, as not every scene is scored with music. But the film score as presented is a different listening experience than the original soundtrack album one, not just because of the tremendously improved sound. But I agree that the major themes and motifs were mostly on the OST, with the biggest exception the "Race against the Sunset" cue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speaking of cut music, does anyone know where that unused "Dracula Toolbox D21" suite would've fit into the movie?
Have not yet read the booklet or dug into the extras, but doesn't the title suggest that it's a few shorter cues, melodic lines, stingers, etc. to be "used" as the filmmakers see fit? Don't know, have not listened to it yet, but "toolbox" implies to me that it is music not written for any specific scene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BTW, I do have to say that the Rules Cafe pieces are probably my favorite additions to the score (besides the two unused suites at the end of Disc 3).
Indeed, I can see why. Along with "Race Against The Sunset", that is the second major section of the film score that was completely left off the original soundtrack release.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've recently ordered this and very much looking forward to it arriving (whenever that may be in the current climate).
Apologies if this is addressed in the liner notes but I had a few questions about the 'Bonus Album Tracks' at the end of disc 3. I'm assuming these were all made for potential inclusion in the original album but they didn't make the cut? Do we know where they would have been placed within the original album? I'm assuming the extended 'Mina/Dracula' and 'The Hunt Builds' replace the same cues but do we know where the other 3 would have gone? If not does anyone who has the set have any suggestions for where to put them in a playlist with the original album?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spun this one again today. I'd have to say it's one of my top 10 from the 90s. It's a timeless classic. Kilar beautifully captured the tragic quality of this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
