JohnB_Toronto

This CD features the film music of Alan Rawsthorne. I bought it about 5 years ago and either it's been in continual publication or else has recently been re-released. It especially has to be a collector's item for Ealing Studios fans. Playing this disc produces all sorts of mental images of scenes from these films. If I have any criticism it's that his music has an utterly distinct sound to it that immediately advertises it to be Rawsthorne. Unfortunately that also means there's a 'sameness' about it that doesn't work well when each soundtrack is played back to back. While I love these pieces, I can't listen to this all the way through without noticing how often he uses similar themes and patterns. Still, it's great music and a must for movie buffs.

Ted Holmes

I assume you're talking about the BBC Phil/Gamba disc on Chandos? I was listening to this just yesterday. I agree with you about a certain 'sameness' - others such as Alwyn were infinitely more versatile - but then the titles Rawsthorne wrote for are all pretty grim. I can't imagine what he might have come up with for, say, a St. Trinian's film!

One thought always strikes me about these scores and that is that he 'wrote down' far less than most other serious composers working in film. There's nothing patronising or sensational about his work. There's real integrity and wonderful riches to be found.

Rob Compton

He was certainly a very skilled composer - I just love the music he wrote for "The Cruel Sea"

Ted Holmes

That's the one!

Then again, Bernard Herrmann apparently thought his score for 'Silas Marner' one of the best scores ever written.

JohnB_Toronto

Makes me want to get a copy of Silas Marner (a film I've never seen). Well if anyone would know it would be Bernard Herrmann - brilliant composer! When I recall the music of films like "The Cruel Sea" it's the opening title music along with the non-stop images of those rolling waves that I think of. I think I'd have to really stretch to recall the other themes he used throughout the film - and, of course, that's exactly how it should be. The jaunty music at the start of the film when the ship is being prepared for sea is perhaps the only other place where I can recall the actual sound. The music totally dominates in sequences where Compass Rose is the star, such as the working-up exercise and the scenes that show the drudgery of most convoy duty but then it completely takes a back seat when the dialogue comes in and takes over. I'd say we're mostly unaware of the music throughout most of the film but it's certainly there all the time - adding to or even creating the whole atmosphere of the scene. Herrmann was no doubt more aware of that than anyone. Now I must go looking for Silas Marner!

JohnB_Toronto

Did you mean "Uncle Silas"? I haven't seen that one either but I did find a DVD on eBay and just ordered it. Thanks for the tip!
Just search "Uncle Silas" on eBay and it'll come up. This series of Greek discs in their British Cinema Collection is really excellent and great value. The Greek subtitles can be turned off and you're left with a very nice print of the original English language version. I paid $9 US from a dealer called "Greek-Products". I've bought many others in this British film series from another Athens dealer, "StelioStore", whose prices are generally even better.

Ted Holmes

Yes, I did mean 'Uncle Silas' - slip of the brain!

Rob Compton

It's the Prelude and Nocturne from Rawsthorne's "Cruel Sea" music that I find so affecting. It's on the Ealing Film Music CD.

rgds
Rob

vic pitcher

Rawsthorne had a distinctive and somewhat acerbic musical style with a penchant for re-using small musical phrases and themes in different works, one of which from his 2nd Piano Concerto appears in the "Cruel Sea" music.

A Rawsthorne score for a St. Trinian's film is not so absurd as it might initially seem. His delightfully witty "Practical Cats" shows what he could have done with a comedy film.

Towards the end of his life he had his problems. Nicholas Monsarrat's autobiography "Life is a Four Letter Word" refers to: "....small cries of anguish from Charles Frend. Alan Rawsthorne's promised musical score was lagging far behind schedule...."

There is a society devoted to the composer "Friends of Alan Rawsthorne"
The Friends of Alan Rawsthorne - index page and brief biography

See also John McCabe's excellent study of Rawsthorne's life and work "Alan Rawsthorne Portrait of a Composer (OUP)

JohnB_Toronto

Thanks for the reminder! I have that CD too but haven't played it for a couple of years ... Back into the vaults I go to dig it out!