Search - Various Artists, Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Elgar :: Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange (1971 Film)

Veddy horrorshow soundtrack to my alltime favourite film

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 12/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This soundtrack is mostly a collection of experimental instrumentals and familiar classical pieces, and as such, works to enhance the film and also to educate people unfamiliar with synthesizer music or to give a crash course for those who want to hear the highlights of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.The ominous opening notes of Henry Purcell's Music For The Funeral of Queen Mary-Mary II, that is, sets the tone for the then-ahead of its time synthesizer music of Walter (now Wendy after the sex change operation) Carlos. In fact, most of the music is done by Carlos, and as such, provides a wonderful forum for introducing his [at that time] music. Equally dark is "Timesteps", the music played when Alex is being fitted with the gear that will make him see the horrible films shown by the clinic. The two other Carlos numbers are brief numbers, "Overture To The Sun," played when a "cured" Alex is displayed onstage with floodlights nearly blinding him, and shown on stage, and the "Beethoviana" theme, which is repeatedly played throughout the movie in interlude moments.The three pieces by Gioacchino Rossini include an excerpt piece from the Thieving Magpie. This alternately idyllic and bombastic piece of music was used twice, once during the fighting scene between Alex's droogs and Billy Boy's gang, and also in the slo-mo footage of Alex and his gang striding along the pier, with Alex attacking Georgie and Dim. The second is a speeded up piece from the William Tell Overture, the famous "Lone Ranger" theme, during the equally speeded up sex scene between Alex and the two girls he picks up at the record shop. And the tragic, weepy excerpt from William Tell is featured once again, in the scene when Alex realizes that Joe, the dominating lodger taken in by his family, doesn't want him back.The second movement from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is included twice here, one an excerpt from the symphonic original, played during Alex's violent visions in bed, the other a Carlos-adapted synthesizer version aptly titled the Suicide Scherzo, as that's what is played when the author is trying to induce Alex to kill himself. And the Ninth is visited two more times here. Carlos's innovative seven minute score march, modeled after the famous fourth movement, is included, with synthesized voices to match. The ominous bass sounds that divide the first part of this track from the second betokens greater stuff to come, which it does. This is my favourite track here. A snippet from the end of the choral movement is used to cement the understanding reached by the Minister and Alex.When I realized that Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp And Circumstance No. 1" was included in the CD, I thought, "OHO, so THAT's who did this, and that's what this is titled." You know, the famous graduation march that's often played... well, maybe not as much today. There's only an excerpt of his "P&C No. 4" here, as that's how much used in the scene where Alex is being transferred from jail to the clinic.The weird oddity of this album is Erika Eigen's "I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper" ditty, which is what Alex's family is listening to when he bursts in on them upon his release.Gene Kelly's "Singin' In The Rain" done in the end credits, finishes the soundtrack, signifying Alex's cure. A veddy horrorshow soundtrack to my favourite film of all time."

Not as good as Wendy Carlos' A Clockwork Orange

Daniel J. Hamlow | 02/11/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The original soundtrack album for A Clockwork Orange truncates too much of the music. If you are interested in this album for the great electronic synthesizer music heard in the film, you should instead buy "Wendy Carlos' A Clockwork Orange" (5 stars) which has the same music, complete and uncut, and has also been recently digitally remastered for great sound."

The best soundtrack of all time

timothy1146 | Lake Woebegone,Minnesota | 12/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every bit of music on the cd is excellent.The only gripe is that "Timesteps" is a 4 minute excerpt of a 13 minute work.At only 46 minutes as is the cd could have easily fit the entire thing. The excerpt of "Timesteps" is the portion played in the movie,and quite an exquisite,melancholy piece it is. The "Theme"is a study in the kool and understated. The gem of the entire soundtrack is the synthesized Funeral music of Baroque composer Henry Purcell.It sets the mood for the movie perfectly.Its overwhelming and desolate sense of sadness makes it one of the most wrenching pieces of music ever written.Its amazing how much dimension the synthesizer brings to the work.This setting of the piece may be Carlos' crowning achievement. As for the synth version of Beethoven's 9th you can only smile at the goofy,quirky and primitive sound of the voices.Therein lies its charm.The iconoclastic maestro himself might have cracked a smile at the audacity of Carlos' reworking of this deservedly hallowed music. The Edward Elgar Pomp and Circumstance marches are a nice bonus to the album as is the "Overture to the Sun" and the nutty and silly "I want to marry a lighthouse keeper"."Singin in the rain",one of little Alex's personal favorites is also included.It is perfect music for stomping an old man,if you are so inclined. This soundtrack should be studied in film schools as a perfect example of matching music to scenery as every piece of music in the film fits precisely the scene it accompanies. Get this disc and Carlos' complete version.They are worth the the money. Of the probable 800-900 albums I've listened to in my lifetime I still come back to this masterpiece again and again.It is truly a magical creation."