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.....
The same think happened with Jerome Moross' "Stay With Me" (Main Theme from "The Cardinal").
A slightly different angle, away from the soundtrack, but concerning the film. Funny how we remember some things so seemingly insignificant, yet embedded in memory. When the film opened it played at The Alexandria Theater way out on Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. It was reserved seating, (imagine that), and I was 18 years old, my first experience with 'reserved seating' for a film. SPOILER ALERT for those who skipped History in school: At the film's end when when The Romanov Family is escorted into an empty room, in anticipation of yet another move somewhere safe, the entire audience in the cavernous theater was silent in apprehension. Then the assassins enter and shoot the entire family in cold blood. At this point, some (idiot) in the balcony seats started applauding loudly. His neighbors could be heard shushing-him, then the music swelled up and played the end credits. THAT, fellow members, is my only other recollection of seeing the film, other than the love of Richard Rodney Bennett's Score to it.
I still have my old Pioneer Special Edition laserdisc with its "music only" track. Great film and score that I don't hear anyone talk about anymore neither. It's nice to see some people still do.
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!
have always loved his score for Murder on the Orient Express
Only a few days ago, this sought-after album has now officially been uploaded on Youtube (it might also be downloaded in lossless quality somewhere). I'd be surprised if there ever will be a CD after this.
What is the deal with Bell Records soundtrack lps not on cd? Nicholas and Alexandra, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Cactus Flower, Brian's Song, etc.
Of all the soundtrack lps never to make it to cd, N & A would be in the top 10, for me.
Brian's Song never had a soundtrack release. Legrand did an album on Bell that included that theme along with several other of his film themes called "Brian's Song: Themes and Variations." That album was issued on CD in Japan.
Two of the best feature films directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (the other being "The War Lord", scored by Jerome Moross) that wasn't scored by Jerry Goldsmith, yet earned Bennett an Oscar nomination.
Only a few days ago, this sought-after album has now officially been uploaded on Youtube (it might also be downloaded in lossless quality somewhere). I'd be surprised if there ever will be a CD after this.
Thanks for posting the link, it is a truly magnificent score.
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....
filmusicnow, I don't understand the Stanley Myers reference. Was he among the critical or the criticized? Can you provide a context either way. Thank you!
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....
At one time Bennett and Rosenman were close friends...but according to Bennett, Rosenman became a bit too much to deal with....giant ego, etc.
I can't answer for sure but here is an idication that the source is better than vinyl. Based on the YT info to each track, now officially available, the source appears to be Sony Music Entertainment:
"(P) Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment"
The sound quality is quite good even in this lossy format. But is it worth to have it in HD at that cost?
), Howard Blake, Leonard Rosenman....
