Wojcieck Kilar

[MSM 188]

Someone one who also likes the more traditional but very effective style of writing of the Polish composer? Dracula is my fav.

[Jeshopk 8]

Someone one who also likes the more traditional but very effective style of writing of the Polish composer? Dracula is my fav.

I like him. Wasn't there a concert piece of his in a Schindler's List early trailer? If so, that was the most impressive thing I heard by him.

[Marian Schedenig 11,336]

Traditional? Well, I guess his film scores are a bit traditional, though very good. And Exodus (the choir/orchestra work Jeshopk mentioned, it was reportedly used in one of the movie's trailers, and clearly served as the model for Schindler's Workforce) is basically an updated version of Ravel's Bolero concept. But generally, from what I know, he's regarded as a member of the Polish avant-garde. Krzesany certainly is anything but traditional. Brilliant though.

This CD is highly recommended.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,842]

But generally, from what I know, he's regarded as a member of the Polish avant-garde.

Just like Steve Jablonsky.

[Neimoidian 14]

But generally, from what I know, he's regarded as a member of the Polish avant-garde.

Just like Steve Jablonsky.

Back to Kilar, he is indeed an avant-garde composer, or at least he was, especially in 60s and 70s. Unfortunatelly, I am not too familiar with his early works to compare them with his more "recent" and say how his style has evolved since then.

As a film composer Kilar has been working pretty much as long as our beloved JW. His scoring debut took place in 1958. Since then he's worked with some of the best polish directors and has scored plenty of popular and/or important movies here. Many of his themes have become classic of polish film music. Too bad that his most recent output is not only sparse, but also very bland (like "We own the night").

Krzesany certainly is anything but traditional. Brilliant though.

It depends on what you mean by 'traditional' Krzesany as a concert piece was definitely something exceptional, on the other hand it's deeply rooted in the folklore of polish highlands, so in that matter it's a very traditional piece.

[pixie_twinkle 60]

His piano concerto is excellent. Also, the score for Portrait of a Lady is very effective. My favourite piece of his is Exodus (from the Schindler's List trailer).

[Neimoidian 14]

On Thursday there is a concert of his music held in my city. They will play: Koscielec 1909, piano concerto and portions from his soundtracks (like Dracula and Promised Land). I am really looking forward to it, though I don't suppose the maestro himself will attend it.

[Neimoidian 14]

The concert was terrific. I had never heard Koscielec 1909, nor Piano Concerto before, so I was kind of surprised. They were nothing but superb, especially the latter, performed by one of the most renowned polish pianist - Janusz Olejniczak (he was in fact the performer and Adrien Brody's double in The Pianist).

[Marian Schedenig 11,336]

I need more Kilar.

[fommes 164]

I've seen the Naxos release (in their filmmusic series) in the store, with Dracula and other Kilar film music. Should I pick it up? Or am I better off with the Dracula score itself?

[MSM 188]

I've seen the Naxos release (in their filmmusic series) in the store, with Dracula and other Kilar film music. Should I pick it up? Or am I better off with the Dracula score itself?

I'd prefer the soundtrack.

I need more Kilar.

I don't know why he is so low profile these days in Hollywood.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,842]

He doesnt do power anthems I guess.

[Marian Schedenig 11,336]

Although I think his unisono brass arrangement of the Death and the Maiden theme could qualify as a power anthem.

I've seen the Naxos release (in their filmmusic series) in the store, with Dracula and other Kilar film music. Should I pick it up? Or am I better off with the Dracula score itself?

There's more on it than just Dracula. I haven't heard that release yet, but I want it.

[FBC Director 10,764]

What do you think of him?

He's a top bloke, mate.

[Neimoidian 14]

Although I think his unisono brass arrangement of the Death and the Maiden theme could qualify as a power anthem.

I've seen the Naxos release (in their filmmusic series) in the store, with Dracula and other Kilar film music. Should I pick it up? Or am I better off with the Dracula score itself?

There's more on it than just Dracula. I haven't heard that release yet, but I want it.

It looks very interesting, because it contains some material I have never heard (like "King of the Last Days").

However, if one looks for some compilation of his music, the best one so far is this one:

It's a double album. The first cd contains 4 of his concert pieces: Orawa, Krzesany, Exodus and Victoria. The second is full of his film music classics - with Dracula, Portrait of a lady or Ziemia obiecana (Promised land). My favourite is definitelly Smuga cienia (The Shadow Line). Full tracklist here.

[Romão 2,458]

The Naxos album is fantastic. I would even say the Dracula re-recordings are the smaller reason to buy this cd. The other selections really are worth it. And I bought the cd in the Fnac in the Champs Elysées for 6 euro.