Elliot Goldenthal
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Yes, I meant more the low key style in general. Probably even on purpose as X-FILES already started the year before.
Speaking of composers and singular voices (per that other thread), we all think we know what Goldenthal sounds like. But in 1981, he composed a number of library music instrumentals that sound nothing like him at all. Just straightforward easy listening. They’re available on YouTube, and quite intriguing to behold. I mentioned them in the library music thread, so can be listened to there.
After the rather exhausting BATMAN FOREVER and SPHERE (great, but exhausting), and the brilliant HEAT, I’m now on to THE BUTCHER BOY in my walkthrough. Didn’t like it when I first got it, but it’s grown on me. Especially the way he plays around with existing melodies. I prefer the more downkey Goldenthal like this.
I mean he had a vast array of musical genrers in his music, from light jazz to clashing dissonances you got everything. Is that the only of his library tracks?
I first had my problems with scores like BUTCHER BOY as well as I was so used to the “over the top” Goldenthal that it didn’t meet my expectations.
The best part of Butcher Boy is the Tune for Da. Goldenthal was a trumpet major and a big Nino Rota/La Strada fan, so I think he is inclined to use the trumpet when he wants to wear his heart on his sleeve.
Found four tracks on Youtube so far. Faszinating. Probably a combination of fun and “I was young and needed the money” 😉
His first “film score” was a porno and that isn’t even the most embarrassing thing he did.
Speaking of old work I’m surprised he’s never tried recording again are his two pre-Hollywood concert pieces, Shadow Play Scherzo and Pastime Variations.His first “film score” was a porno and that isn’t even the most embarrassing thing he did.
Whoa, what? That must have passed me by. It is something he’s said in interviews?
Speaking of old work I’m surprised he’s never tried recording again are his two pre-Hollywood concert pieces, Shadow Play Scherzo and Pastime Variations.
Yes, I’m curious about those too. Especially “Shadow Play Scherzo”, which is probably in the top 3 unreleased Goldenthal wishes for me. I’m not quite up to date on his unreleased concert and theatre works, but here’s list I did in February 2021. I believe some more pieces have surfaced since then:
CONCERT MUSIC:
GRENDEL
BRASS QUINTET NO. 1
PASTIME VARIATIONS
SHADOW PLAY SCHERZO
ADAGIETTO DOLOROSO
LEMURIAN DANCE
LOS HERALDOS NEGROS
PAVANE FOR SOLO PIANO
LYRIC SUITE: THE FLOODS OF AVONTHEATRE:
A GOZZI SURPRISE
THE KING STAG
LIBERTY’S TAKEN
THE TRANSPOSED HEADS
THE SERPENT WOMAN
THE TEMPEST
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (1984 version)
TITUS ANDRONICUS (the stage version, obviously)He mentioned it in a documentary called “Lights, Action, Music”.
Recently Film Score Monthly had an interview with Barry Levinson and I was surprised he didn’t discuss Goldenthal and “Sphere”. Well, maybe not too surprised since the movie stank. But I think it was one of his coolest scores, it’s one of the best blends of orchestra and electronics I’ve heard.
He mentioned it in a documentary called “Lights, Action, Music”.
Ah, maybe he re-used motifs of that in totally different works later on 😉
SPHERE is great and while the album is a good listen I think it missing music from the 2nd half of the film and the finale. So this would be a candidate of an “expansion”.
I’m one of the few who actually like SPHERE – the film – as well. The soundtrack satisfies all my needs. It’s very intense, so half an hour is fine.
Recently Film Score Monthly had an interview with Barry Levinson
Would have been interesting to read. But i will never have an online subscribtion…
I’m one of the few who actually like SPHERE – the film – as well. The soundtrack satisfies all my needs. It’s very intense, so half an hour is fine.
I do like the film as well. I knew you would say that about the album. But given it is only from the first half of the film/score we should at least get a fuller picture. Not necessarily compete on 2+ CDs but maybe a bit more than just 35 min as on other of his scores. Maybe it is not needed but since I don’t know it…
At THE GREEN BIRD now. Is this the only CD that has an actual, real feather included underneath the tray? Always found that an amusing gimmick.
It’s more amusing than the irritating THE LOST WORLD digiback 3D popup thing, at least, if we’re talking CD gimmicks. 🙂
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