Customer Reviews

Auric: Film Music

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This was one of the first releases in Chandos's Movies series, and it was an exceptionally good choice. It was one of the first Chandos releases to be recorded in 24 bit sound, and the results are stunning: beautifully detailed, exquistiely balanced, and richly colored. Rumon Gamba was new to the recording field at the time of this release, and he makes a big splash. The orchestra plays brilliantly, and there is no shortage of either excitement or refinement. As for the music, it is some of the best ever written for the cinema. Georges Auric forged a major career in the English cinema of the 1940's and '50's. His music as represented here in brief suites from his films is consistently inventive and delightful. He has an uncommonly light touch for a film composer. The most famous numbers are probably from The Lavender Hill Mob and Moulin Rouge, with the famous song from the latter appearing in its original, non-Percy Faith version, and beautifully sung. Even a flop like Caesar and Cleopatra contributes interesting battle music. This album is delicious, whether you listen to it with reference to the individual films or as absolute music. One wishes there was a sequel.

Top notch collection from some of your British film favourites. Rich orchestral sound of a new recording will bring you back to these memorable melodies over and over again. A great buy, says this notorious cheapskate.