30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Piece of Work: Complements the Film Very Well, September 24, 1999
This review is from: A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score (Audio CD)
When I saw that Clockwork Orange was back in circulation, I had to get the soundtrack. I remembered how much I enjoyed these compositions back in my college days.
I purchased both copies, the Warner Bros. soundtrack (which includes work by Deutsch Gramophone as well as Carlos), and Wendy's original score. The WB version has three delightful songs that I just could not do without: "Overture to the Sun", "I want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper", and "Singing in the Rain."
However, the original music by Carlos on her version was much more satisfying. Apparently, the WB soundtrack was released from tape copies that had been equalized for optimum performance on the film and theatre sound reproduction equipment of the day (1972). Carlos' version, however, is from the original masters, and is a superior product, even for that reason alone.
But, there are other reasons why Wendy's original score outshines the WB soundtrack.
Also, the entire composition of "Timesteps" is included, all 13:50 of it. This is a very good piece, I enjoyed it immensely. You lose the full emotional impact when only playing a part of it, as in the movie soundtrack.
Wendy's version of "La Gazza Ladra" is brighter and fuller than the movie's. "Country Lane" and "Biblical Daydreams" are not available on the original soundtrack. All in all, a very pleasing CD. I found that I enjoy it more now than I did when I was in college. I don't mean to make so many comparisons to the WB soundtrack, but I have just finished listening to both. I recommend that anyone get both to get the full impact.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best original movie scores ever, March 13, 2000
This review is from: A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score (Audio CD)
I've been a huge fan of both Carlos and Kubrick since the mid '70's. I was lucky enough to find a copy of Carlos' vinyl pressing of this album in '79. This CD blows it away, I've listened to it once a month since I bought it about a year ago. Timesteps is one of the best works Carlos has ever done and it really shows you what potential electronic music has or had. It's too bad Kubrick didn't use the whole score, I think it would have made the movie even stronger. The mechanical/electronic works would have heightened the dystopic feel of the film. If you buy one soundtrack this should be it.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Bit of the Old Ludwig Van, October 20, 2005
This review is from: A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score (Audio CD)
Yes the Moogs are this album are "primitive" but their sound is vastly superior to today's synths. The Moogs were vastly more expressive and subtle. If this album were recorded on digital synths, it would just sound cheesy. Timesteps is an amazing piece that gives you the creeps even if you haven't seen the movie. As a soundtrack it perfectly mixes the themes of ultra violence and Beethoven seemlessly. If you buy this cd (and by all means do)please refer to it as "early electronica" rather than "new age". It deserves the credit for everything it helped spawn
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