Listening to Tadlow's recording of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA tonight; first time in while... what a great recording of one of my favorite film scores. All the sonority and textures of the atmospheric desert pieces come out in a clarity like never before. Just a wonderful re-recording; obviously a passion project.
This is interesting - it looks like there are two versions of the Nic Raine conducting with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra performing:
Lawrence of Arabia - 50th Anniversary Edition Silva Screen Records Released: 2012 Conducted: Nic Raine Performed: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra Duration: 76min 46sec
Lawrence of Arabia Tadlow Music Released: 2010 Conducted: Nic Raine Performed: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra Duration: 77min 34sec
Is the Silva Screen release the same as the Tadlow? It looks like the track listing is the same ALTHOUGH certain cues are merged together on the same track and there is a marginal difference in the total running time.
Anyone know what's going on here?
I'm assuming the latter release is a repackage of the Tadlow but with only the first disc, some consolidation of tracks, all for inclusion on the Blu-Ray release.
So what you're saying is "yes, these versions are the same, and for promotional reasons they chose to re-release it as a single disc version, combine some tracks, and some filler empty audio was lost, but for safety you should stick with the 2010 release."
I love how this board can spend days writing post after post bashing the hard work of people like Yavar but can barely spare more than a piece of punctuation to close the loop on an old topic that's popping up again for people who weren't in the conversation 7 years ago.
For those just arriving:
Buy the 2010 Tadlow Music release conducted by Nic Raine and performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra for the best complete experience of this score.
Complete original recordings do not exist, and earlier releases like the 1990 Varese Sarabande aren't worth the poor sound quality.
"Jazz Impressions of Lawrence of Arabia" by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson is my go-to version. For those who don't do vinyl, it is on Qobuz for only $6.99.
"Jazz Impressions of Lawrence of Arabia" by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson is my go-to version. For those who don't do vinyl, it is on Qobuz for only $6.99.
Nice, what a great find! Just looked it up and the main title version is really unique and entertaining:
"Jazz Impressions of Lawrence of Arabia" by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson is my go-to version. For those who don't do vinyl, it is on Qobuz for only $6.99.
Nice, what a great find! Just looked it up and the main title version is really unique and entertaining:
Here is one more!
Dickerson also did a "Jazz Impressions of A Patch of Blue."
"Jazz Impressions of Lawrence of Arabia" by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson is my go-to version. For those who don't do vinyl, it is on Qobuz for only $6.99.
Nice, what a great find! Just looked it up and the main title version is really unique and entertaining:
Here is one more!
Dickerson also did a "Jazz Impressions of A Patch of Blue."
Nifty... never knew that... both albums are available on Qobuz.
I guess Tadlow since its complete but TBQH there's a note in the main Lawrence theme the Pragmatic Praguerz keep screwing up by playing it half a step too slow that really takes me out of that recording.
I listened to the Bremmer again the other day and remembered how I like it. I also like the Tadlow, so they both get play time, much like the album and original versions of Capricorn One.
I purchased the 2-disc Tadlow version and am quite impressed by it.
First off, I can say that the 1-disc Blu-Ray CD has the same contents as Disc 1 of the Tadlow 2-Disc, presenting all the music in the film. However, it doesn't have two tracks from Disc 2 of the Tadlow 2-Disc, which is an alternate of "Nocturne" and the original version of "The Voice of the Guns".
So definitely go for the 2-disc Tadlow version.
Overall it sounds great, but I was a bit let down by the "Overture" and "Main Titles" because they are played too slow, same with "Lawrence Returns with Gasim". It would have been great if this had been recording like live-to-film performances which have punches and streamers for timing. It seems like the conductor probably just got carried away with the gentle sweep of the theme.
I was also disappointed with "Gasim Lost In The Desert" which is an incredible section in the film where the music underscores shots of the sun by creating a searing sizzling effect with cymbals, gong, and atonal violins. It's visceral and terrifying - but on this album the violins are missing. According to the booklet, Jarre originally had Ondes Martenot playing aleatoric patterns which were apparently mixed too low in the film. On this release the Ondes Martenot was recorded separately and overdubbed, but I think they were a bit too eager about it and ended up overmixing it and leaving the violins out. I also think the Ondes Martenot was also not given a proper spatial reverb so it doesn't sit well in the mix. Maybe someone (Mutant, ahem) can figure out how to get those violins back into this track?
Those are my only real critical notes though and it is absolutely INCREDIBLE to hear ALL of the music presented here. Everything sounds crisp and sharp, and having everything to tell the complete story musically is awesome.
Even the understated "Sinai Desert / After Quicksands" is terrifying and perfectly matches the ebbing emotions that play throughout that sequence.
This album definitely makes it clear how great of a score "Lawrence of Arabia" is - not just that memorable romantic theme but an entire musical story that charts the arc of Lawrence's journey. I highly recommend it!
I'm with you on this one 100%, Nicolai. Did you know Robert Townson of Varese had planned to rerecord it along DOCTOR ZHIVAGO with the RSNO (film music series) with Jarre at the conducting job but due to a scheduling conflict it got canceled.
