Search - Newman, Kaufman, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra :: Wuthering Heights

Vintage Newman...

vmzfla | Orlando, Fl. | 03/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nothing else on this disc will surpass the the bold hauntingly beautiful Cathy's theme from the "Wuthering Heights"suite.

We are then given lesser known selections from the 1930s, 40s era

of Alfred Newmans extraordinary film score output. "Prince of Foxes" the Italian renaissance historical novel wasn't even shot in technicolor, but we are given a marvelous panoramic Newman score, complimenting the period costumes and sets. The seductive theme from "David and Bathsheba" is a bit reminicent of R Straus's "Dance of the Seven Vails" but not as beefy in orchestration nor development. "Dragonwyck" is another gothic piece of dark romanticism, with music focusing on eleagant melody with a touch of saddness. In "Prisoner of Zelda" the regal music grandly depicts the the fictional Kingdom of Ruritania. This score was used in 1937 and again in the 1952 remake. Lastly the march from "Brigham Young" ends this disc with the bold determination in music of the Mormon's trek from Illinois to Utah in 1840, and the setting of their domain.

The New Zealand forces are to be commended for their committed playing along with the cinema sonics captured by the engineers. The liner notes list every score Alfred Newman has written from 1930 to "Airport" in 1970."