Search - Franz Waxman :: Legends Of Hollywood: Franz Waxman, Vol. 4 (Film Score Compilation)

Classic Hollywood music

Michael J. Mazza | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 12/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Legends of Hollywood: Franz Waxman, Volume 4" brings together recordings of film music written by Waxman (1906-67). These versions are performed with passion by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Mills.This is lush, rich, romantic music in the classic Hollywood style. The disc contains music from the films "Untamed" (1955), "On Borrowed Time" (1939), "My Geisha" (1962), "The Devil Doll" (1936), "My Cousin Rachel" (1952), "The Story of Ruth" (1960), "Dark City" (1950), and "A Christmas Carol" (1938). The range of films selected makes this a great disc for film and music historians, but this is also a very enjoyable disc for any fan of good orchestral music.These films represent a variety of different genres, and the disc thus contains a thrillingly diverse group of selections. There are the fun, elegant "Souvenir de Paris Waltzes" from "Devil Doll"; the driving energy of "Dark City," with its ominous touches; and the incorporation of traditional Christmas music into the "Christmas Carol" score. But my favorite music on the disc is the rich, powerful score to "Ruth": this is archetypal "biblical epic" music, full of emotion. Overall, a superb disc."