4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving, June 22, 2009
This review is from: Rawsthorne: Film Music (Audio CD)
This was one of the first releases in Chandos's Movies series, and although it might not seem an obvious choice, it has sterling merits. There is excellent conducting and playing throughout, and Chandos's sound is rich and warm, if less detailed than on the contemporaneous Georges Auric CD. That recording was made in 24 bit, while the Rawsthorne for some some reason was still recorded in 20 bit. Still, second rate Chandos sound is better than just about anyone else's, and is most helpful for enjoying such rich movie scores as Rawsthorne's. All the music here was receiving its premiere recording, and the quality is so high that the music's neglect is rather startling. Rawsthorne excels at rich, dramatic music, although the Nocturne from The Cruel Sea is quite haunting. There is nothing generic about this music; everything has a specific filmic application. Still, it can be enjoyed as absolute music. I know very little about Rawsthorne, but after hearing this disc I am very interested in investigating his concert repertoire. His film music is of the highest caliber, almost comparable to Walton and Vaughan Wiliams's.
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