The 1971 Oscar Nominated Score by Richard Rodney Bennett has never seen the light of day as a c.d. release. It's going on 50 years since the score was written, and fewer and fewer people remember it or have even heard of it. If it can't be re-issued, perhaps Tadlow could consider it?
Sorry, tried to post it here but only got the link to work. But at least you can hear it. If anyone can re-post this link correctly, please do. Thanks.
Along with Far From The Madding Crowd, N&A is Mr. Bennett's greatest work in the film score area. Was just pondering the same thing last week. Here's hoping someone is working on getting this score released....... it's a beauty!
Thanks so much for posting this James. I'm going to guess that around 1972 or so, I purchased an album of Mancini's themes and 'Nicholas and Alexandra' was on that album. Even though the 'symphonic sound' is missing here, the beauty of the theme remains. I can even recall hearing this version played as 'muzak' in a supermarket once, of all places. And when I was pushing my cart through the aisle, I was racking my brain to remember where I'd heard it before. It was still a lovely theme, but the environment I was in hindered the linkage of The Romanov Dynasty. A legitimate issue of the Album to c.d. would be it's very first in all these years. I can guess that a newly recorded version by Tadlow would indeed sound glorious.
Let's hope so. Of the few remaining RRB soundtrack lps--Yanks is another--this is the best. It was nominated the same year as John Barry's Mary, Queen of Scots and Michel Legrand's Summer of 42 (the winner). RRB has made some positive and negative comments about Legrand in interviews, particularly in his interview with Elmer Bernstein. I interviewed RRB in the mid-seventies when he was in St. Louis for a concert of his chamber music. When Barry's name was mentioned, RRB said he did not care for Barry because he wasn't "a real composer." I've since noted that a RRB score has twice ended up on a disc with a JB score: Equus with The Whisperers, and Billion Dollar Brain with The Ipcress File (a boot?) RRB gave a similar reaction to John Caps about JB in an interview. Very opinionated man. Would also like to hear his unused score for The Go Between.
The Twilight Time Blu-ray features an isolated score track.
Yes, and the fidelity is fine. It has to be the cost of licensing and that Bennett always remained an obscure composer that keeps this and nearly everything he did from CD release. I really like his BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN main title, and FIGURES IIN A LANDSCAPE.
I also wish FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD would get a complete, or at least extended, release. It has had two CD releases, one on Ryko, with just the lp tracks, and the other from Sony, which included additional cues taken directly from the soundtrack of the film.
Thanks so much for posting this James. I'm going to guess that around 1972 or so, I purchased an album of Mancini's themes and 'Nicholas and Alexandra' was on that album. Even though the 'symphonic sound' is missing here, the beauty of the theme remains. I can even recall hearing this version played as 'muzak' in a supermarket once, of all places. And when I was pushing my cart through the aisle, I was racking my brain to remember where I'd heard it before. It was still a lovely theme, but the environment I was in hindered the linkage of The Romanov Dynasty. A legitimate issue of the Album to c.d. would be it's very first in all these years. I can guess that a newly recorded version by Tadlow would indeed sound glorious.
Dave,
I was trying to repost the video you linked to but to no avail so I just edited my posts with different videos of RRB's score.
The Mancini cover is on his LP "Mancini Plays the Theme from Love Story."
That was melody was turned into a song sung by Elgelbert Humperdinck, called "Too Beautiful To Last." Lyric is by Paul Francis Webster.
Let's hope so. Of the few remaining RRB soundtrack lps--Yanks is another--this is the best. It was nominated the same year as John Barry's Mary, Queen of Scots and Michel Legrand's Summer of 42 (the winner). RRB has made some positive and negative comments about Legrand in interviews, particularly in his interview with Elmer Bernstein. I interviewed RRB in the mid-seventies when he was in St. Louis for a concert of his chamber music. When Barry's name was mentioned, RRB said he did not care for Barry because he wasn't "a real composer." I've since noted that a RRB score has twice ended up on a disc with a JB score: Equus with The Whisperers, and Billion Dollar Brain with The Ipcress File (a boot?) RRB gave a similar reaction to John Caps about JB in an interview. Very opinionated man. Would also like to hear his unused score for The Go Between.
A great composer and a damn fine musician, a shame about his snobby stuck up opinions. He joins a list of great composers who have made derogative comments on their fellow professionals, Bernard Herrmann ( who criticised RRB's Murder On The Orient Express ), Howard Blake, Leonard Rosenman....
They should do a 2 C.D. set with the complete score and the album (some cues were rerecorded for the album). This I felt should have won the Oscar for Best Score.
The Mancini cover is on his LP "Mancini Plays the Theme from Love Story."
Actually, it's on Mancini's 1972 LP "Big Screen - Little Screen," which was released on CD by RCA Spain in 1999. Mancini's "Love Story" album was released in 1970, nearly a year before NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA hit U.S. screens in December 1971. Mancini made his recording of NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA at RCA, Hollywood on November 30, 1971.
Thanks so much for posting this James. I'm going to guess that around 1972 or so, I purchased an album of Mancini's themes and 'Nicholas and Alexandra' was on that album. Even though the 'symphonic sound' is missing here, the beauty of the theme remains. I can even recall hearing this version played as 'muzak' in a supermarket once, of all places. And when I was pushing my cart through the aisle, I was racking my brain to remember where I'd heard it before. It was still a lovely theme, but the environment I was in hindered the linkage of The Romanov Dynasty. A legitimate issue of the Album to c.d. would be it's very first in all these years. I can guess that a newly recorded version by Tadlow would indeed sound glorious.
Dave,
I was trying to repost the video you linked to but to no avail so I just edited my posts with different videos of RRB's score.
The Mancini cover is on his LP "Mancini Plays the Theme from Love Story."
That was melody was turned into a song sung by Engelbert Humperdinck, called "Too Beautiful To Last." Lyric is by Paul Francis Webster.
James
According to the biography of Bennett ("Richard Rodney Bennett: The Complete Musician"), he didn't care for the lyrics.
When they turned the "love theme" into a song they (not RRB) added a new middle section. The Mancini and Rose recordings reflect that. Stick with the original Bennett composition to appreciate the real beauty of this music.....
They should do a 2 C.D. set with the complete score and the album (some cues were rerecorded for the album). This I felt should've won the Oscar for Best Score.
RRB opinions should be respected and whatever went on in the background that we know nothing about between these composers is none of our business........both Barry and RRB were not the easiest of people to satisfy and get along with musically and with other mainstream composers of that particular period could be both direct and harsh with their criticism of each others work.....it happens in all walks of life...........
Martin, I read your excellent interview with John Barry back in the day from . . . was it RT Gazette? I've got the hard copies somewhere. I remember JB spoke highly of Rota and North, as he often did, and, when prompted, said that he liked Goldsmith. I'd be curious if you have any observations or anything else you'd like to share regarding your lengthy interview with Barry.
), Howard Blake, Leonard Rosenman.... 