Philip Glass : The Music of Candyman [IMPORT] [SOUNDTRACK]

Philip Glass (Artist), Michael Riesman (Composer, Conductor), Philip Glass (Conductor)

Product Details

• Conductor: Michael Riesman, Philip Glass
• Composer: Michael Riesman
• Audio CD (September 21, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Soundtrack
• Label: Orange Mountain
• ASIN: B00005QFLQ
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,500 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"The Music of Candyman" CD is the original music scores written by Philip Glass and produced by his production company, Euphorbia Productions for the films "Candyman" and its sequel "Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh". Subsequent to the first "Candyman" film release, Philip Glass’ fans have been requesting access to these recordings. At this time Orange Mountain Music, Philip Glass’ new record company, is very happy to make these recordings available. Newly re-mixed to facilitate home stereo playback from the original masters by Don Christensen, this CD will be an important addition to any serious Glass fan’s collection as well as a stimulating record for all listeners. The "Candyman" films started out as "The Forbidden", a short story written by the acclaimed horror/fantasy author Clive Barker. It is the story of a graduate student’s investigation into a grisly urban legend with distinct racial and social undertones. Director Bernard Rose’s ("Paperhouse", "Immortal Beloved") adaptation has given the narrative an underlying intelligence and believability. Unlike most horror films "Candyman" is low on special-effects but still delivers hair raising suspense and surprising shocks, primarily with its creative imagery. Bernard Rose’s innovative and realistic direction, the excellent cast (Virginia Madsen as Helen the graduate student and Tony Todd as Candyman) and the Cabrini Green location (a notorious Chicago housing project) made this film an original in its genre. Written for piano, pipe organ and chorus, Philip Glass’s score is perfectly suited for this modern gothic tale. Using some of his well established techniques of rhythmic intensity and switching between major and minor key harmonies, Glass’s score is as trance inducing and terrifyingly seductive as Candyman himself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GLASS MUSIC FOR ALL, October 10, 2001

By	"petgigs" (West Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Want to listen to some astonishly beautiful Philip Glass music? Listen to 'The Music of Candyman'. If you are already a Glassfan, this will be a welcome addition to your collection. If you are new to Glass and want a great introduction, this is the disc for you. It is by turns spooky and creepy, soaring and uplifting, dramatic and starkely beautiful...In short, 'The Music of Candyman' is perfect for its purpose. I will leave the technical discussions to others--emotionally, THIS DISC WILL GRAB YOU.

This is the debut CD from Glass's new label, 'Orange Mountain Music' ... which promises to release more archival Glassmusic. Bravos to Kurt Munkacsi, Glass's long-time producer, for setting this up.

So, while we wait for more great Glassmusic, we get to listen to 'The Music of Candyman': Beautiful, haunting, and a lot of fun!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They got off their fannys and gave us Candyman!, October 9, 2001

By	"[e-mail]" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

With a collective sigh of relief from fans who thought that Philip Glass and company had gone into record-release hibernation, The Music of Candyman is finally available commercially. Having heard tracks from the infamous bootleg copy, I can say that this version is well worth its (rather steep) cost, as it's been appropriately remixed and gussied up. Musically and esthetically, it's some of Glass's best, making it a must-listen (especially approaching Halloween), and the methodical dementia portrayed through the music is unmatched by any gothic sounding work in the same category (see Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells in The Exorcist). There are one or two segue problems from the remix, but nothing immediately noticeable, and any problems are certainly overshadowed by the terrific musicality and emotion of the work. Five stars! Now let's see more!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE! Candy for the ears!, October 4, 2001

By	Glassrules (Jacksonville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This CD is the epitome of FUN! It is AWESOME! Words can not do this CD justice- take my word for it, if you're seeking a true EXPERIENCE in music, one that will take you away from the concerns and tribulations of this crazy world, put this CD in your player and turn off the lights, because "The Music of Candyman" will take you on a joy ride. Just like Candyman himself, this music runs the gamut from intense, scary, frightening, romantic, seductive, gentle, powerful, haunting, and maddening- constantly changing, disorienting the listener. In the movies, you never knew where Candyman was going to strike next. And so it is with Glass's score- you don't know what's going to happen next. So much happens on this CD that I guarantee you won't know where you're at when it comes to an end.

Legendary composer Philip Glass scored the first two of what turned out to be three "Candyman" films, in 1992 and 1995. "Candyman", and the sequel, "Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh" were moderate-budget horror flicks with a strong psychological bent; they were decent movies and I thought the second one was better than the first. Anyway, what made these movies stand out was the Glass scores. And now, it is finally available to the public as the first release on Glass's new record label, Orange Mountain Music.

Written primarily for pipe organ, chorus (the uncredited Western Wind Vocal Ensemble, who do a fantastic job), and piano, this CD will give your stereo system a workout, and I hope you have a good subwoofer to experience the awesome bass lines from the organ in all their room-shaking glory.

There are many beautiful and powerful moments, finally heard here in pure glorious sound, using the state-of-the-art equipment and talented engineers at Philip Glass's and Kurt Munkacsi's recording studio, Looking Glass Studios in New York City. I would watch the DVD's of the first two "Candyman" movies, just to listen to the score- many great moments weren't heard in all their glory as there was dialogue and sound effects being on the soundtrack as well, but here the music is alone. Much like being alone in a dark room with Candyman himself, you definitely get a different perspective without any distractions from the eerie proceedings.

Philip Glass is truly a musical phenomenon and is perhaps the most versatile composer of all time- he can write anything from mammoth symphonies, songs, string quartets, high-voltage works for his own Philip Glass Ensemble, operas, film scores, and more- and he also knows how to have a good time as well, as evidenced by his "Candyman" score- most serious (read: "classical") musicians today don't know how to have a good time, but Philip Glass does! He is having a great time with the "Candyman" music and you will too! It's fun and intellectually stimulating at the same time.

It's great music for a haunted house; it's great music for a drive through the countryside; it's great music to refresh yourself after a long day at work; it's great music to drive your Mom insane if you're a rebellious kid!

Buy this CD today!
Just don't say "Candyman" five times!