notes on a scandal and other finds

[theladyrose]

Do I actually detect some fragments of melody in Philip Glass's Notes On A Scandal score? My knowledge of music theory is virtually nonexistent, but this definitely isn't his old school minimalism. If this and snow in Malibu doesn't indicate that there's something freaky going on in the world, I don't know what is.

I'm also starting to understand why film critics panned the score for being too overwrought and taking the edge off of some potentially black comedy. Glass is definitely capable of great subtlety - the Hours and Glassworks are some of my favorite works of his characterized by this more reflective tone - but it sounds like he's gone with a La Belle et le Bête-ish approach here.  There are some moments highly reminiscent of the Hours, though the orchestration sounds much fuller and the tone more dissonant.

To continue with the film music ramblings, I've come across an original recording of Elmer Bernstein's the Man with the Golden Arm title theme. The website also has some great recordings of pieces from different film scores performed by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra Society; I recommend Miklos Rozsa's lovely El Cid. 
blofeldscat
, please forgive my ignorance in not knowing where to put the accent marks.

Much to my delight, I've found an affordable recording of Bernstein's 'Toccata for Toy Trains' - I almost typed 'Toycatta' there. There's a re-recording conducted by the composer on the FSM-released Elmer Bernstein's Film Music Collection, but the Eames Brothers film compilation contains the gem, 'Westinghouse in Alphabetical Order,' which was written as musical accompaniment for a stock holders' meeting to look over company merchandise!  Now if I could find a recording of either of Bernstein's stage musicals, Merlin and How Now, Dow Jones or John Barry's Lolita, My Love...

Comments

[romanticizing.livejournal.com]

El Cid! I've been looking for that score forever. I'm waiting for them to release the remastered movie on DVD in widescreen.. and the score to go with it :x Too much to ask for?

Thanks for the link to that site; I'll have to convert that clip to mp3 somehow..

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

There are two re-recordings of the El Cid soundtrack; the one with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the first link below, is pretty hard to find, but there's a used copy out there for 50 bucks. The 2nd link is a compilation with some cues from Ben Hur and King of Kings, and though none of the scores are presented in their entirety, the CD is a much more available 17 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/El-Cid-James-Sedares/dp/B000001SJ1
http://www.amazon.com/Cid-Ben-Hur-King-Kings/dp/B000001543

[romanticizing.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've seen those before. $50 is a little out of my price range, and I've been debating getting the second version. I think I might have to just break down and do it. I do really like the score.

[blofeldscat.livejournal.com]

It's spelled Miklós Rózsa (actually, Rózsa Miklós inn Hungarian, Miklós = Nicholas). So... Who wants a copy of Lolita? :p

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks for telling me. Bah, I don't think we're ever on Skype at the same time. When are you on these days, or are you too busy with your book?

[blofeldscat.livejournal.com]

I'm online all the time (except for a 6 hour period when I'm asleep). Remember, the difference is 9 hours only. :p Hurry up, I have so much to show and tell!

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

That's strange...Skype is having issues logging me in. And it seems that when I do manage to get myself logged in, you're not online. Aaaah!

The universe hates me.

[blofeldscat.livejournal.com]

Well, I was online when you posted this. :) You can also reach me on MSN. Hope the universe has no grudge against Microsoft. :p