Customer Reviews

Nosferatu - O.S.T.

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This is currently the most complete soundtrack album to Werner Herzog's 1979 movie remake of "Nosferatu." It has all of Popol Vuh's recordings that are associated with the film, BUT with the exception of the first track "Bruder Des Schattens." The album is also missing some other songs from the film.

On this disc, "Bruder Des Schattens" is an exception because it is not the complete song version. Popol Vuh's CD, "Tantric Songs/Hosianna Mantra," is one cd that features the complete 16 or so minute version of "Bruder Des Schattens." The CD's tracklist may list it as "Brothers of the Shade-Sons of the Light."

Music that ALL soundtrack albums to Herzog's 1979 remake of "Nosferatu" are missing:

"Prelude" from Richard Wagner's "Das Rheingold" conducted by George Solti and performed by the Wiener Philharmoniker. The Wiener Philharmoniker is also or perhaps formerly known as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

"Sanctus" from Charles Gounod's "Messe Solennelle" (ALLEGEDLY the version featured on the cd, "Gounod: Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cécile; Petite Symphonie for wind instruments." The conductor, Jean-Claude Hartemann, is associated with that cd.)

"Zinskaro" by the Vocal Ensemble Gordela. Song sometimes listed as Tsintsharo, Tshintsharo, Zinzkaro, etc. Group sometimes listed as the Vocal Ansambl Gordela. Both Extremely rare.

A diegetic song performed by a little boy in the film. I'm sorry but I don't know anything else about it. Note: "Diegetic" means sounds picked up by the movie camera during the shooting of a scene.

When I was in 8th grade I saw Herzog's Nosferatu. I ran out and bought the only soundtrack I could find, which turns out to be the inferior "second" soundtrack, reproduced here in full beginning with track 5. I was disappointed that while it did contain the track On the Way (track 13 here), which featured the men's choir motif that is heard over the main credits (and at other points in the film), it was not orchestrated as the film version was, and did not include the lovely acoustic guitar/piano section. Later I found another soundtrack that featured the same movie poster art as this CD, and featured the first four songs on this CD. I preferred that soundtrack much more because it did contain the entire "Bruder des Schattens" which translated into English means "Brothers of Darkness." (The second part of the title, and I am assuming this signifies the acoustic guitar/piano section, is "Sons of Light."

A warning...this CD edits the Brothers of Darkness/Sons of Light" track right after the acoustic guitar and piano begin. The whole thing ought to be about 16 or 17 minutes, and this is only 5:41. It is a real shame. I will tell you that if you really want the entire track, you can buy a wonderful CD entitled Tantric Songs/Hosianna Mantra, which contains works from two other albums, and does include the entire "Brothers of Darkness/Sons of Light." That is what I did.

Overall this is a good CD and the songs are just as I remember them on the LP. Be aware that if you have seen the film but not heard these soundtracks before, very little of the soundtracks are in the movie. Granted, there are rather lengthy exceptions, but as someone else has pointed out, there is quite a bit of Wagner and Gounod, and many of the Popol Vuh tunes are not used in the movie at all. All in all, however, this is a very good compilation of Popol Vuh's style.

Piano, guitars, sitar, oboe, tamboura and a church choir create the most beautiful music on this remarkable album. Höre, Der Du Wagst starts with the gentle sounds of sitar and piano for a slow brooding buildup, then the pace picks up with Das Schloss des Irtums where the guitars gain prominence and likewise on Die Umkehr. The real masterpiece is Brüder des Schattens, Söhne des Lichts with its hypnotic, repetitive melody line and its gorgeous sitar, piano and guitar. This magnificent piece is more classical than popular music and would not be out of place on a Steve Reich album in its minimalist textures. There is also a spiritual quality about it that evokes feelings of loss, sorrow and redemption. Together with the album Until The End Of The World, Nosferatu is my favourite soundtrack of all time. The music is never less than deeply moving, the epitome of grace and elegance.

Popol Vuh is one of the "krautrock" bands I missed when the genre was in its prime. Now that its back catalogue is being remastered and re-released, the band is receiving renewed critical and listener interest. Recently, I read a review of Nosferatu in an English music magazine that pronounced this to be one of the essential recordings in the Popol Vuh catalogue. Well, perhaps I'd have been happier if I had purchased one of the recordings blessed here with five stars first.
I find Nosferatu an enjoyable CD, deeply meditative but also highly repetitive. Perhaps that is what lends it an entrancing quality. And maybe the repetition is there because this is primarily film music. Certainly, this would not be for everyday listening. But if you just want to relax and withdraw into your inner world, then putting on Nosferatu is a good way to do just that.
I will try out a couple of other Popol Vuh recordings to get a good overall feel for the band. But if this is your first outing with them as it is for me, I suggest you start with a different album unless of course the features I describe here appeal to you.