Search - Charles Gerhardt & Npo :: Sunset Blvd: Classic Film Scores of Franz Waxman

Franz Waxman's Music is Magic

lac9461 | Burlington, NJ. USA | 10/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a wonderful place to start your collection of Franz Waxman film music. Waxman's sense of melodic line and tasteful harmonies are masterful. Of particular note are his suites from Prince Valiant, and The Bride of Frankenstein (also used in the old Flash Gordon serials). Charles Gerhardt does a fine job conducting this wonderful collection of jems."

Absolutely brilliant!

Mr. Allan K. Steel | Sydney, AUS | 04/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brilliant collection of music written for films by Franz Waxman. Great tunes, harmony and orchestration by a great but neglected composer!Excellent playing and sound recording too."

Wonderful compilation of vintage Waxman

www.DavidLRattigan.com | United Kingdom | 04/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charles Gerhardt was just the right conductor to revive these classic scores from the prolific film composer, Franz Waxman: His lush, melodramatic interpretations of the music do not fit every genre, but he feels right at home here with the sweeping melodies of the silver screen.A good selection of Waxman's film music can be found here, including his most acclaimed, Sunset Boulevard. (It certainly has a sparkle that Joel McNeeley's recent rerecording seemed to lack, even if the score is not present here in its entirety.) Other highlights are the stirring themes of Prince Valiant and the eerie and sinister tones of his score for The Bride of Frankenstein. A particular favourite of mine is Rear Window, sadly absent here, though to my knowledge only one recording exists (Lalo Schifrin and the San Diego Pops, Hitchcock: Master of Mayhem): Fans can take solace in the fact that one of the Rear Window tunes appears here in its earlier form as we heard it in A Place in the Sun.If you are a film music buff, this is definitely worth a place in your collection. Gerhardt captures the essence of Waxman perfectly."