Search - Bernard Herrmann, Alfred [1] Newman, William T. Stromberg :: Bernard Herrmann & Alfred Newman: The Egyptian

Worthy...but not superior

J. A. Retzer | Phoenix, AZ | 04/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I already own the original-issue MCA/Decca studio recording CD as well as the Film Score Monthly soundtrack CD for this rousing good score, so for the completist in me, I bought the NAXOS/Marco Polo digital re-recording.



It's a worthy effort, but the performance lacks the "enthusiasm" of the originals. I just didn't "feel it," even with the always-excellent recording standards of the Stromberg/Morgan team. This is most evident during the spiritual passages and particularly during the two Hymn to Aton sequences, where neither the glory nor the tragedy comes across.



No slam at the Soviet chorus (they've proved themselves well enough in other projects), but their accents on the English text really became distracting on this disc.



Also, the balance between the orchestra and the chorus is variable at best and at times the brass lines drown out the parts where the chorus is supposed to be prominant.



On the plus side, the liner notes for this CD were excellent and very informative. At 71 minutes, the addition of so much extra music not found on the original studio recording was welcome; and to have it presented in a "cleaner" digital version than on the FSM soundtrack CD was nice (though I hasten to add that the FSM disc is still THE recording to get).



Overall, a useful addition for completists or those who can't afford the higher-priced studio or soundtrack recordings, but just be aware that some of the "heart" is missing from this one."

TERRICIC RECONSTRUCTION OF A GREAT SCORE

Edward Oleksak | New Jersey USA | 02/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's quite wonderful to have this landmark score in beautiful sound. I love the original souuntrack & the old Decca 1954 release (get them if you're lucky enough to find them) - But this gem is in a league of its own because the sound is SO excellent. Herrmann & Newman - (strange bedfellows) were thrown together - it worked in a strange way. And this is a real "buy" - The price is right! - Get it now before this wonderful reconstruction is withdrawn.

"How beautiful art thow!""

One of the Best Soundtracks of a great film score!

Michael Taylor | Auckland, NZ | 06/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truly excellent composition of the original film score and one I purchased some time back. Two of the greatest composers of film music were behind the Egyptian musical score and when Alfred Newman has his name to something then I am sold anyway. Of course equal credit must go to Bernard Herrmann.



This 20th Century Fox film - the Egyptian - is a classic and the soundtrack surely complimented the story. Right from the beginning, the music takes you away to ancient Egypt with its themes. One of the most beautiful tracks on this is track 11 - Nefer-Nefer-Nefer and the main theme spills in to this time and again. A lot of mood-music here and if you have got the blues, don't play those 'sad' themes...



A collectors item for lovers of film music. You would be hard pressed to find an original sountrack by Herrmann & Newman - if at all - and this is a faithful digital rendition & recording. A MUST HAVE!"