The Bride Of Frankenstein (1993 Rerecording Of 1935 Film Score) [SOUNDTRACK]

Kenneth Alwyn, Franz Waxman

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1993)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Silva America
• ASIN: B000004BPF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,879 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The sound era was barely seven years old (and the art of orchestral film scoring still evolving) when German-born composer Franz Waxman conjured up one of its first unlikely film-music masterpieces, this 1935 score for director James Whale's sequel to his hit Frankenstein. Indeed, Waxman created many of what have become the musical clichés of the horror genre, captured here in a spectacular new digital recording by Kenneth Alwyn and the Westminster Philharmonic; the exotic, lilting motif to "Female Monster Music" will even evoke Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Bali Ha'i," though it was written nearly 15 years earlier! Also included is a short suite from Waxman's score for another, less-heralded, '30s Universal horror film, the Karloff-starring The Invisible Ray; both are thoroughly annotated in a fashion that will please fans, musicians, and scholars alike. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waxman's magnum opus?, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

Considered by many to be Waxman's magnum opus, the music for "The Bride of Frankenstein," its entourage of melodic variety, orchestral pomp, and exemplary wit, clearly evidence its appropriateness for such a claim! As an aural chef d'oeuvre, one that stands alone, it belongs in the collections of every lover of classic filmusic. The album also includes a five-minute suite (too short!) of splendor from Waxman's "The Invisible Ray."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "GODFATHER" of classical film scores. Terrific!, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

I first heard segments of "BRIDE" at the age of 7 in 1953. Much of this score was used in the serial; "Flash Gordons Trip to Mars". I did not find out the origin of this film score some years later. Now exists a recording of this score in excellent digital sound closely resembling the 1935 film score with the nuances and artistry that one could only hear on a cd. "BRIDE" features what I consider to be the single best segment of music ever written. On track 7, it is "chase"; on band 8, it is repeated in "monster breaks out". My only criticism is track 7,"chase" whose segment from 2:51 through 2:58 is not repeated and thus is incorrect. Fortuately it is correct on track 8;"monster breaks out. A superb disc of a original classical film score that virtually has no equal.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waxman's Finest Score is an all time classic., October 14, 1998

By	"bjdonohue" (WALDORF, MD United States) - See all my reviews

Franz Waxman, Academy Award winner for A PLACE IN THE SUN and SUNSET BOULEVARD, was one of the finest of the Golden Age of Hollywood composers. This 1993 recording of his score for THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is one of his best and, up until Bernard Herrmann's PSYCHO, was arguably the greatest horror film score ever. The ten plus minute cue THE CREATION is a film music classic. With splendid digital sound, crackerjack liner notes, and a suite from the film THE INVISIBLE RAY, this is a must have for any serious film music collector. First rate!