Customer Reviews

Rebecca: The 1940 Film Score by Franz Waxman

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Some might say that this music by Franz Waxman is soupy and sentimental and I'd say, 'Phooey!' This is a classic big-orchestra, lush, romantic, tuneful, sweeping, in places mysterious score that perfectly fits the purpose for which it was composed. Great melodies just come spilling out throughout the score's entire 72 minutes. I happened to see the 1940 film just recently and was again swept away by the score's power to perfectly accompany and underscore the movie's scenes. Waxman really knew how to do this. And this score influenced film music composers for years afterwards.

What of this performance? It was originally recorded in 1990-91 and issued at full price on Marco Polo, Naxos's sister label. It was acclaimed then, and should be even more so now that it is at budget price. Adriano, the one-named Swiss conductor who specializes in film scores, and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, give this lush score its due. Viktor Simcisko is the excellent solo violinist.

One small detail: For whatever reason, the movie's director, David O. Selznick, didn't like the music for the cue called 'Beatrice,' and he substituted music by Max Steiner. Adriano restores the music written by Waxman.

Scott Morrison

REBECCA is one of Franz Waxman's best romantic scores. It is lush and atmospheric. It really fits director Alfred Hitchcock's superb film. The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra performance is superb.

I have watched Rebecca more than once, I think I know the movie rather well.
Only, I had never the chance to listen to to music itself, while doing this, I visualize each matching scene of the movie. Being a musician myself, I have the impression that this Franz Waxman score was surely the best movie music ever made...

The film Rebecca is not only of Hitchcock's best movies (and, indeed, was his only one to win the Best Picture Oscar), it is also one of the greatest movies ever made, and Franz Waxman's haunting, Oscar-nominated score only adds to its greatness. In fact, the first time I watched the movie, one of the first things I noticed was the beautiful score. I've seen the movie so many times that, when listening to the soundtrack, I can picture the scene that corresponds to each musical cue, which only makes me love Waxman's atmospheric music more.
Highly recommend both the film and soundtrack (and the book by Daphne du Maurier on which the film is based). If you're a Rebecca fan, this soundtrack is a must!