Search - Richard Robbins, Franz Schubert, Harry Rabinowitz :: The Remains of the Day (1993 Merchant Ivory Film)

A beautiful and rich film score

D. COLLIER | Brownwood, TX United States | 10/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Robbins's THE REMAINS OF THE DAY score is one of the few film scores that can truly capture the intensity and emotion of the drama for which it was written without overdoing it or becoming shallow. If you've watched the movie or read the book (I highly recommend both), then this music will bring back those impressions of Mr. Stevens, Lord Darlington, their regrets, and Miss Kenton and her unrequited love. If you have not seen this movie (or read the book), then you'll be much less able to relate to the themes therein. But it is also some of the very best "reading and relaxing" music available.



Available?? Why is it that so many great soundtracks have to go out of print? But as of my typing this, this soundtrack is still available used for reasonable prices. In fact, that's how I purchased my copy.



I highly recommend this!



PS This CD also includes the beautiful German song sung by the female ambassador (...) at Lord Darlington's 1938 conference - as well as the old classic rendition of "Blue Moon" that was sung near the end of the film when Mr. Stevens and Mrs. Benn (Miss Kenton) meet for tea and cake."

Beautiful and Sweet Music

Starfire | 11/28/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Robbins'score for James Ivory's masterpiece is beautifully composed, very sweet music that perfectly captures the mood of the film: quiet, full of disguised emotions, but extremely romantic, exactly like the character played by Thony Hopkins, the butler Stevens."

Beautiful, haunting, lush, and ethereal

Starfire | Austin, TX | 06/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm so sad that this soundtrack is out of print. So very sad indeed. The film itself is heartbreaking enough without Richard Robbins' score, but add it, and the film is lifted to another dimension. The music is wonderfully present at all times during the movie and it's so amazing to hear the score isolated from the film.



This soundtrack was very deservedly nominated for an Academy Award. The rising sextuplets underlying the entire score lend an ominous air of foreboding, alluding aurally to something dark hidden within the film. Certain tracks convey the appropriate feeling of restrained passion evident between the two lead characters. The lilting string melodies tug at the heartstrings and brings out the yearning that the movie portrays so well.



If you liked the film, and indeed I believe it's impossible not to, do try and get your hands on this soundtrack somehow. It is still mercifully available through private sellers. I only wish the powers that be would re-release this amazing score so that others may savor its genius more fully."