[Thor Joachim Haga]

Victor Young (1900-1956) is well-known to most here, but in the larger scheme of things often overshadowed by the other big Golden Age composers. I’ve always liked him, and slowly started to amass enough of a collection to get a grasp of who he was, musically. It’s all very “colourful” (which is kind of an empty phrase, but somehow fitting). Titles in my collection that I enjoy include THE UNINVITED (which also includes selections from GULLIVER’S TRAVELS and BRIGHT LEAF), SAMSON AND DELILAH, THE QUIET MAN, THE LEFT HAND OF GOD, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, GOLDEN EARRINGS and OMAR KHAYAAM.

I was reminded of him again when, just today, film music historian Ray Faiola shared this rare video on FSM, of Young writing and conducting music from THE TALES OF WELLS FARGO, the first time I’ve ever seen live footage of Young. And what about that super annoying guy “conducting” next to him on the podium? Sheesh. Anyways, if you have any Young favourites or opinions, feel free to share.

[GerateWohl]

Didn’t he have (a little bit like Alan Menken) a reputation of rather being a songwriter than a composer?

I also have that rerecording of The Uninvited. Didn’t do that much for me.

But I am a fan of his Scaramouche suite on that swashbuckling Captain Blood album conducted by Richard Kaufman.
Overall one of my favourite Golden Age albums.

[Thor Joachim Haga]

Didn’t he have (a little bit like Alan Menken) a reputation of rather being a songwriter than a composer?

Yes, a little bit, if memory serves. Same as Tiomkin. They were considered somewhat “light”. But I don’t really hear that at all.

And yes, that’s a great Naxos album.

[Malte Müller]

Didn’t he have (a little bit like Alan Menken) a reputation of rather being a songwriter than a composer?

Yes, I think he had one as a good theme/melody writer and lots of those ended up as film songs.

I also have that rerecording of The Uninvited. Didn’t do that much for me.

Yes, for me too. Been a while I listened to the album but I think I liked the other scores more.

But I am a fan of his Scaramouche suite on that swashbuckling Captain Blood album conducted by Richard Kaufman.
Overall one of my favourite Golden Age albums.

That’s a good suite.

You named a lot of the scores I would also list. I would add the western scores RIO GRANDE, JOHNMY GUITAR and SHANE. Although I prefern Tiomkins western scores in general of that era.

[Forfatter]

Innlegg