FSM veröffentlicht Butterfield 8: Bronislau Kaper at MGM vol. 1

[BigMacGyver]

Neues multi-score box set von fsm, diesmal zur musik von bronislau kaper:

BUTTERFIELD 8: BRONISLAU KAPER AT MGM VOL. 1 -- SCREEN ARCHIVES ENTERTAINMENT

Bronislau Kapers phenomenal versatility made him an ideal choice for a variety of film genres during his two and a half decades of work at M-G-M. Much of his output has already been explored by previous FSM releases, but this limited-edition, six-film 3CD set (limited to 1,200 copies) fills in some important gaps in the Kaper discography.

Disc One includes three scores from the 1950s, each a model of economy distinguished by Kapers melodic gift and unerring dramatic skill. The Power and the Prize (1956) was a contemporary fable about corporate greed, but its music focuses on a lush and florid romantic theme that is subjected to variations throughout the film. Her Twelve Men (1954) was a sort of female Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and it mines a more sentimental vein, centered on a school song that Kaper effortlessly blends into his underscore. Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956, conducted by Miklós Rózsa) was based on the autobiography of prizefighter Rocky Graziano; it includes a few cues of urban-tinged symphonic jazz (à la Leonard Bernsteins On the Waterfront) plus developments of its hymn-like title song.

Disc Two features two scores Kaper wrote just prior to Mutiny on the Bounty(FSM Vol. 7, No. 16): Ada and Two Loves (both 1961). Although the films are largely forgotten today, Kaper contributed a dramatic and sensitive score to each, characterized by his penchant for effective understatement. The music is pithy, not epicand often brooding. Much of Ada (a melodramatic tale of political corruption in the South) is especially somber, painted in dark orchestral colors (low strings, clarinet, English horn); Two Loves (which featured Shirley MacLaine as an expatriate American in a complicated romantic triangle) is leavened by more expansive writing which reflects the Northern New Zealand setting. These scores also demonstrate Kapers skill in weaving music by others into the fabric of his own; Ada makes use of a gospel number (May the Lord Bless You Real Good) and Two Loves incorporates one of Liszts Transcendental Etudes for piano.

The final disc is devoted to one of Kapers most-requested titles: the hard-hitting contemporary drama, BUtterfield 8 (1960). The score, while traditionally symphonic, is suffused with an undertone of jazz that reflects the sultry, Oscar-winning performance by Elizabeth Taylor as a sophisticated escort who wants desperately to find true love. From its extraordinary opening sequence (nearly nine minutes of music virtually uninterrupted by dialogue) to its tragic dénouement, Kapers sophisticated music brings operatic depth to the films turbulent emotions. Its saxophone-driven main theme is one of the most popular tunes by this master melodist; it is known to fans in countless cover versions, but the original soundtrack has never been availableuntil now.

This compilation includes the complete orchestral scores for all six films (two vocals are not included due to licensing restrictions) and, as always, numerous bonus tracksincluding a spill-over from FSMs Mutiny on the Bounty. All but Somebody Up There Likes Me are presented in stereo. The booklet, designed by Joe Sikoryak, includes concise background information on the films and their music by Frank K. DeWald, plus track lists, film stills and posters. Track-by-track commentary is available online.

[Beaverhausen]

Na, die Box scheint ja sehr großen Zuspruch zu finden :-) Ich find sie super ! ! ! Bin gespannt wie Vol 2, 3 ,... aussehen werden!

[Mephisto]

Ich find's ebenfalls toll! Von Kaper habe ich noch gar nichts. Dann wird diese Box wahrscheinlich mein Einstieg in die Kaper'schen Gefilde.

[Beaverhausen]

mein exemplar ist heute eingetroffen.. bin mal gespannt:)