Customer Reviews

THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER (Complete Re-recording!) [Soundtrack]

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1. This release is--for want of even better words--a defining masterpiece! Like its predecessors from the Tribute Film Classics (TFC) label--such as Bernard Herrmann's MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and Max Steiner's THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE--it has no peers among modern recordings of classic film scores. And that goes for score restoration, conducting, and album production and presentation. Here we have Erich Wolfgang Korngold's unabridged composition for THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER including the trailer music (Track 42) and the UK release end title (Track 43) which includes a bit of God Save The King.

2. Maestro William T. Stromberg, as is his custom, demonstrates yet again that Korngoldian tempi (and tempo-change) lightening can strike twice. Tracks 2, 3, 19, 33, 37, 38, and 42 are especially demanding for conductor and orchestra, but especially thrilling for the listener (just as the Korngold intended). Stromberg notes that Korngold "wrote some of the most demanding (film scores) for orchestra and conductor. You simply cannot be a `time-beater' when conducting his music..." You can say that again!

3. Pianist Irina Popova is featured on Tracks 37 and 38 (Seal #1 and Seal # 2, respectively). These are phenomenal single takes. Heretofore, I would have wagered that no one aside from Korngold himself (who was the pianist on all of his original sound-track scores) would be able to pull this off without digital-editing help! Recording engineer and editor Alexander Volkov delivers a spacious yet rich, multi-dimensional (no instrument is left behind), and just plain pleasuring sound from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. The latter demonstrates yet again that their instrumentalists are global-class talents.

4. The CD booklet is a 32-page, glossy package. Comments by TFC's principals Anna Bonn, John W. Morgan, and Stromberg are, as usual, must reads. Ryan Brennan delivers a compact history of the evolution of things from book to screen. Curt Hardaway provides track capsulations of on-screen events, but no musical analysis.

5. TFC has become well known for the luxurious nature of its CD packages. This release is no exception. The album production and presentation is flat out stunning!

6. So what about Korngold's score now that we finally have all of it in one modern recording? Well, it surely is the most varied, light-hearted, and amusing of the composer's compositions for film. Mr. Morgan refers to it as "commedia dell'arte." To me it's more like a musical version of a large charm bracelet without a clasp. A string of individual musical gems (though some are a bit rough around the edges) that never quite achieves a unified whole to form a film symphony. Contrast this with, say, CAPTAIN BLOOD, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, THE SEA HAWK, etc. But for the casual listener, it's all to the good. The VERY good. (Serious listeners, you may have some work cut out for you!)

WILLIAM FLANIGAN, Ph.D.

Korngold (and soundtrack) lovers have been waiting a long time for a full recording of Prince and the Pauper and Stromberg doesn't disappoint. A bit pricey, but Korngold fans will want to add this to their collection. Highly recommended!!

I have been a big fan of Bill Strombergs ever since he recorded King Kong. He is perhaps one of the best conductors today. His performances are
energetic, passionate and offer a rich texture, a first class conductor, along the likes of Bernard Haitink,Gustavo Dudamel,Leif Segerstam.
The cd also has excellent sound. Recorded at 96kz. The instruments envelope you. There clear and have punch. I have a modest system: B&k,Naim,Nordost,Magnapan, and even with this, the cd sounds as though your at the recording session. I highly recommend this.