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Home , Alexander Courage, Angelo Badalamenti, Bernard Herrmann, Chariots of Fire (play), Don Davis (composer), Elmer Bernstein

THE GENIUS OF FILM MUSIC blockbusters to 2000s

Including music from LA VITA È BELLA GLADIATOR INDIANA JONES

DIRK BROSSÉ conductor LONDON PHILHARMONIC WILLIAMS over adversity’ true story of the British athletes Star Wars – Symphonic Suite and at the 1924 Olympics was music from that period – a (b. 1932) was critical in saving , for example. ’s the great orchestral score from demise. unforgettable title music goes completely In the same way that against that idea, yet its pulse and heroic created terror out of screaming violins in melody fits perfectly the film’s themes. , Williams had sent fear into swimmers everywhere with his score for . Two years HAMLISCH later, the full-throttle high-speed explosion Sophie’s Choice – Love Theme onto our screens of Star Wars (1977) confirmed him as that rare thing – a household-name In 1986, (1944–2012) said of . film music trends: ‘The last ten years ... have been antisentimental ... finally the people went Star Wars is seen as ‘The One’ that brought “Give me a break. I want sentiment.”’ His music symphonic scoring back to the forefront. to Alan J. Paluka’s heart-rending Sophie’s Choice Its director, , had wanted to (1982) was an early capture of the zeitgeist. use existing orchestral music for his sci-fi The pivotal moment comes when Polish epic but couldn’t get the rights. Instead, woman Sophie is faced with a chilling choice: Williams’s brilliant score draws on the music which of her two children will be sent to the of Holst’s Planets suite to fit the film’s classic, gas chamber. The decision to lose her daughter epic themes. Its popularity continues today, haunts her for the rest of her life. Hamlisch’s winning a BBC poll as best film soundtrack ‘Love Theme’ is simplistically beautiful but ever. ratchets the emotional turmoil of the scene.

VANGELIS MORRICONE – Main Theme The Mission – Gabriel’s Oboe

While John Williams was honing the score of ’s (b. 1928) sense of the his next big hit, Raiders of the Lost Ark, with full theatre and drama attracted him to director orchestral oomph, Greek composer Vangelis Sergio Leone, resulting in the extraordinary (b. 1943) was experimenting with a completely scores for the ‘Dollars’ trilogy – the vast cinema different route for Chariots of Fire (1981). What landscape of 1960s spaghetti westerns. might have been warranted for the ‘triumph Twenty years later came The Mission (1986), for which the London Philharmonic Orchestra minutes. Badalamenti explained how was recorded the original soundtrack. The film done in the BBC Four series The Music that is as much about the power of music as the Made the Movies: literally, he improvised on his missionary’s story: Morricone cleverly used keyboards while Lynch explained the emotions ethnic instrumentation and liturgical music for he was after. what was to become his own favourite score. ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ has become a popular staple BERNSTEIN on the concert platform. The Age of Innocence Suite

BACALOV (1922–2004) was a fabulous Il Postino – Main Theme symphonist, a great melodist and a rich orchestrator. His best-known scores are to The Argentinian/Italian composer Luis adventure films likeThe Great Escape and The Enríquez Bacalov (1933–2017) also had a Magnificent Seven but, despite this, Bernstein background in scoring for spaghetti westerns, much preferred working on ‘the more delicate and his 1968 song ‘Django’ was used as the films that deal intimately with people’s lives, title song for Django Unchained, directed by like ... The Age of Innocence’. The Edith Wharton . The beautiful soundtrack novel adaptation of 1993 witnesses an illicit to Il Postino (1994) is far removed from those love affair that causes scandal in high society early movies. Harmonica and accordion add at the turn of the 20th century. The to the nostalgic feel of the music in this sweet score is full of yearning and conflict. Director romantic comedy. explains Bernstein’s gift: ‘Elmer’s score had to adapt to the style and BADALAMENTI pace of the language ... We had no lengthy Suite – Laura Palmer’s discussions about this, but [the score] flowed Theme over the narration like a clear-running brook.’

When ’s surreal peek under the ELFMAN cover of small-town decency, Twin Peaks The Nightmare Before Christmas (1990/01), became a cult television hit, Suite the director approached his friend (b. 1937) to write the score. (b. 1953) puts his hugely It seems extraordinary that the slow and successful collaboration with Tim Burton down evocative theme music was written in just 20 to the fact that they are ‘a couple of very odd guys’. His style fits brilliantly with Burton’s avant-garde scores for (1968) wild, gothic and witty imagination. The and (1976). He experimented with Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), the bizarre in the and 80s, but by but funny stop-animation film of Halloween the 90s was merging synthesized sound with Town’s Jack Skellington’s desire to adopt the traditional orchestral music. Goldsmith the ways of Christmas Town, is no exception. The melodist can be in no doubt, and the score suite features ‘Sally’s Song’, a plaintive sigh of to (1998) is a testimony to his talent unrequited love and the flashy ‘What’s This?’, for creating beautiful themes. The tale of a Jack’s wide-eyed discovery of Christmas Town young Chinese girl who becomes a warrior, (sung on the original score in manic fashion by Goldsmith’s bold soundtrack uses ethnic Elfman himself). instruments and the pentatonic five-note scale of traditional Chinese music to create PIOVANI the soundworld. Powerful percussion and La Vita è bella Suite brass provide the battle backdrop and Mulan’s theme is an elegant, simple rise and fall tune, (b. 1946) has been writing first heard in the wind. Listen out too for the predominantly for Italian cinema for over sweeping love theme. 40 years. His work has even been mistaken for that of Morricone composing under DAVIS a pseudonym. Piovani, understandably, Reloaded Suite didn’t mind the association, but was glad to announce that he was real ‘flesh and blood’ The music by Don Davis (b. 1957) to The when he won the Oscar in 1998 for La Vita è Matrix trilogy (1999–2003) is an out-of-this- bella (). world combination of the electronic and the orchestral. It stood out from the crowd for GOLDSMITH its move away from strong melody and its Suite from Disney’s Mulan references to minimalism, a form developed in the 1970s by including Steve ‘Despite all the sophistication of our times, Reich. Its predominant features are repetition, the greatest device remains the simple a relentless pulse and static harmony – listen straightforward melody.’ to the hard-working scurrying strings, military side drums and ominous brass blast of the ’s (1929–2004) quote may opening. It has a suitably futuristic feel. come as a surprise to those who know his ZIMMER Publishers: Gladiator Suite Hal Leonard MGB // Warner/Chappell North America Ltd (CD 1 T. 1-3; CD 2 T. 8) A hugely successful film composer, Hans EMI Music Publishing Ltd (CD 1 T. 4) Zimmer (b. 1957) has come a long way since ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd (CD 1 T. 5; his early days in the 1980s when he was CD 2 T. 7) earning a living by composing such ‘classics’ as BMG VM Music Ltd (CD 1 T. 6) the theme tune to quiz show Going for Gold! Sugar Songs UK Ltd (CD 1 T. 7) Interestingly, he runs a synthesizer-packed Universal/MCA Music Ltd (CD 1 T. 8; CD 2 T. 6) studio with a team of composers – shades of Bernal Music / Ole (UK) (CD 1 T. 9) the old Hollywood studio system. He freely Universal Music Publishing Ltd (CD 1 T. 10; admits he’s ‘not a great player but a good CD 2 T. 5) programmer’. A great lover, he Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd (CD 2 T. 1-4) says the music to Gladiator (2000) was inspired by Holst’s The Planets and by Wagner. The The LPO is grateful to Dirk Kokx (CD 1 T. 4), ‘Elysium’ theme, however, is all Zimmer and no JoAnn Kane Music Service (CD 1 T. 5), Paul one can deny its ethereal quality. Bateman (CD 1 T. 6), Nic Raine (CD 1 T. 7; CD 2 T. 7–8), Themes and Variations (CD 1 T. 9), Disney Concert Library (CD 1 T. 10; CD 2 T. 5), Programme notes © Sarah Breeden Studio Piovani (CD 2 T. 1-4), Angelo Badalamenti (CD 1 T. 8) and Don Davis (CD 2 T. 6) for the loan ‘Suite from Disney’s Mulan’ of their arrangements. Score by Jerry Goldsmith Songs by and Orchestrated by Courage Enjoy more film music on the LPO label. 1998 Wonderland Music Co., Inc. (BMI) Visit lpo.org.uk/recordings.

‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas The Genius of Film Music Hollywood Blockbusters Orchestral Suite’ 1960s–1980s Music by Danny Elfman Highlights from The Arranged by Mark McKenzie Godfather, Psycho, 1993 Buena Vista Music Company (BMI) Lawrence of Arabia and more. LPO-0086 DIRK BROSSÉ conductor

Dirk Brossé, born in . He has worked with directors Ghent, Belgium, has Stijn Coninx, Frank Van Laecke, Susanna White worked all over the and Roland Joffé, and with writers Gabriel world as a conductor García Márquez, Seth Gaaikema and Didier Van and composer. He Cauwelaert. is currently Music Director of the Chamber He has conducted many top , both at Orchestra of home and abroad. Amongst them, the London and of Ghent Film Festival and professor of Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic composition and at the School of Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, Vancouver Arts / Royal Conservatory of Music in Ghent. , Opéra de Lyon, Hong Kong Chinese John Williams chose him as Principal Conductor Orchestra, l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande of the ‘Star Wars in Concert World Tour’. and the Philharmonic Orchestras of Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Basel, Madrid, Porto, He has composed some 400 works, including Birmingham, Ulster, Shanghai, Hong Kong, concerti, oratorios, lieder, chamber music Seoul, Queensland, St Petersburg, and symphonic works. He has also composed and Boston. extensively for cinema, television and stage, for films including ‘Boerenpsalm’, ‘Koko Flanel’, Dirk has been awarded the title Cultural ‘Daens’, ‘The Lovers’ and ‘Knielen’ and television Ambassador of Flanders, the Flemish including his score for the BBC/HBO series Parliament’s Gold Medal for Merit, the Achille ‘Parade’s End’ which was nominated for an Van Acker Prize, the Joseph Plateau Honorary Emmy Award. Award and the Global Thinkers Forum Award for Excellence in Cultural Creativity. In 2010 He has made more than 90 CD recordings and Dirk Brossé was made an honorary citizen has collaborated with world-class artists such of Destelbergen. In 2013 he was elevated to as José van Dam, Barbara Hendricks, Alison Belgium’s hereditary nobility, with the personal Balsom, Salvatore Accardo, John Williams, Toots title of Knight. He is a member of the Royal Thielemans, , Elmer Bernstein, Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Randy the Arts. Crawford, Mel Brooks, Sinead O’ Connor, and LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of The Orchestra is based at Southbank Centre’s the world’s finest orchestras, balancing a long Royal Festival Hall in London, where it has and distinguished history with its present- been Resident Orchestra since 1992, giving day position as one of the most dynamic and around 30 concerts a season. Each summer it forward-looking ensembles in the UK. This takes up its annual residency at Glyndebourne reputation has been secured by the Orchestra’s Festival Opera where it has been Resident performances in the concert hall and opera Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years. The house, its many award-winning recordings, Orchestra performs at venues around the UK trail-blazing international tours and wide- and has made numerous international tours, ranging educational work. performing to sell-out audiences in America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Founded by Sir in 1932, the Orchestra has since been headed by many of The London Philharmonic Orchestra has the world’s greatest conductors, including recorded the to numerous Sir Adrian Boult, Bernard Haitink, Sir Georg blockbuster films, fromThe Lord of the Rings Solti, Klaus Tennstedt and Kurt Masur. Vladimir trilogy to Lawrence of Arabia, East is East, The Jurowski was appointed the Orchestra’s Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and : The Principal Guest Conductor in March 2003, and Dark World. It also broadcasts regularly on became Principal Conductor in September television and radio, and in 2005 established 2007. its own record label. There are now over 100 releases available on CD and to download and stream online. lpo.org.uk

© Benjamin Ealovega / Drew Kelley THE GENIUS OF FILM MUSIC: HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS 1980S–2000S

CD1 54:12 13:21 WILLIAMS Star Wars Symphonic Suite 01 05:40 i. Main Title 02 04:33 ii. Princess Leia’s Theme 03 03:08 iii. Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme) 04 03:37 VANGELIS (arr. D. Kokx) Chariots of Fire – Main Theme 05 04:57 HAMLISCH Sophie’s Choice – Love Theme 06 03:49 MORRICONE The Mission – Gabriel’s Oboe 07 04:35 BACALOV (arr. N. Raine) Il Postino – Main Theme 08 08:10 BADALAMENTI (orch. K. Landrum) Twin Peaks Suite – Laura Palmer’s Theme 09 07:25 E BERNSTEIN (orch. Emilie Bernstein/P. Russ) The Age of Innocence Suite 10 08:18 ELFMAN (arr. M. McKenzie) The Nightmare Before Christmas Suite

CD2 42:30 11:55 PIOVANI La Vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) Suite 01 04:27 i. Buongiorno principessa 02 01:59 ii. Grand Hotel Fox Trot 03 02:18 iii. La fuga 04 03:11 iv. Il carrarmato 05 07:28 GOLDSMITH (orch. A. Courage) Suite from Disney’s Mulan 06 09:32 DAVIS Suite 07 08:17 ZIMMER (arr. N. Raine) Gladiator Suite 08 05:18 WILLIAMS (arr. N. Raine) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – Raiders March

DIRK BROSSÉ conductor LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Vesselin Gellev leader

Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, London LPO – 0110