Spartacus Anniversary Edition

[Joe Brausam 222]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efqxowccU9U

Well, if that isn't confirmation of it I don't know what is!

It seems this recording will be for an accompaniment album. Pretty cool!

[Incanus 5,823]

Oh the poor wallets of film music fans this year! Too much goodies released in so little time! And yet for some reason I am grinning.

And the Spartacus has been rumored and rumored to be the 1000th release from Varese for a long time. It is nice that Varese is doing something very special for this score release and it is an interesting choice from Varese to include a tribute album of the Love theme variations by different artists. Did not see that coming.

[Richard P 4,276]

I listened to an original release, and it really didn't grab me much. Although it might also have been the sound quality.

[Maglorfin 206]

Is it going to be limited to 1000 copies?!

[Andy 5,247]

Let's hope 1000 is the release number, not the edition size. I would imagine an unlimited release for this one.

-Hedji, who confesses to have never heard the score for Spartacus, nor seen the film. (Is it all it's hyped up to be?)

[David Coscina 4]

Great news. Great score. I'm sure Olivarez is psyched about this one too.

[Wojo 2,456]

confesses to have never heard the score for Spartacus, nor seen the film.

Ditto. I'm sure it's worth the hype, or all the people who grew up with it wouldn't be hellbent on seeing it released.

[Marian Schedenig 9,200]

"This video has been removed by the user"?

[Andy 5,247]

I guess they weren't happy that it revealed the release.

Pointless to remove it now, the cat's out of the bag.

[Richard P 4,276]

Yeah, Isham just Tweeted this:

Ok - I jumped the gun!! SPARTACUS hasn't been officially announced yet - so it "doesn't really exist" yet - video must come down for now -

-but it is a VERY cool project!!!!! Stay tuned!

[Wojo 2,456]

Oh yea, gotta love DownloadHelper to nab those videos I don't have time to watch (or even speakers hooked up at the moment).

[Trent B 340]

People have been thinking it's coming for a couple of years now. So with the video now confirming it sorta pointless to take it down. Ah well, no matter what I'm sure people will buy the score. Never heard of it (both film and score) to be honest.

[TownerFan 5,283]

Amazingly good news! It was about time!

[Marian Schedenig 9,200]

But *what* exactly is it? From what I've read (remember, I never saw the video), they're doing some re-recordings for a score release, but do we have any actual info of the actual score release?

[Charlie Brigden 7]

But *what* exactly is it? From what I've read (remember, I never saw the video), they're doing some re-recordings for a score release, but do we have any actual info of the actual score release?

From the first post (I didn't see the video either), it sounds like it's a score release with a bonus tribute score disc. I'm not 100% sure, but maybe other composers' interpretations of North's music/themes?

[Richard P 4,276]

Isham's words were "Varese are releasing the score". I take that in this context to mean a complete score release with a bonus disc.

[King Mark 3,730]

Well I guess I have to listen to the original album from somewhere. From what I remember of suites re-recordings it I didn't like it too much, like much of North's music for that matter

[TownerFan 5,283]

But *what* exactly is it? From what I've read (remember, I never saw the video), they're doing some re-recordings for a score release, but do we have any actual info of the actual score release?

Here's what Isham said more or less:

"Varese is releasing the score itself... and doing a special cd where they've asked different artists to come in and record this theme, so it will be a CD of 10 different people doing the same piece of music. All the way from us to Alexander Desplat... it's going to be a really wide variety..."

[King Mark 3,730]

is there going to be a john Williams adaptation?

[TownerFan 5,283]

Well, Williams was very good friend of Alex North, so it's not unlikely.

He also performed music from Spartacus in concert quite recently.

[Ollie 1,166]

Great news. Great score. I'm sure Olivarez is psyched about this one too.

Oh yeah.

I must admit that while I am truly excited that it is going to be Spartacus, I almost have an "I told you so mentality".

When you look at Varese's history and Robert Townson's favorite composers, Spartacus was the obvious choice. Unless he released another Goldsmith box or a 3 disc ST:TMP set, or even a Herrmann boxed set, I can't think of anything else worthy of the 1000th release.

I am truly overwhelmed, as a film score fan, with the embarrassment of riches we have received to begin 2010.

[Nemesis 254]

It's unbelieveable what releases are now possible these days. I'm tempetd to say that nothing is impossible!

Is the score any good?

[David Coscina 4]

Is the score any good? Well, allow me to answer this. For people who like brash, bold themes, lush if not atypical orchestrations, complex meters (time signatures) and yearning love themes, yes. Spartacus is ground in the harmonies of the time period. For some, it's a sentimental wonderfulness. For newbies to film scoring, or folks not familiar with the '60s, or modernist orchestral music, North's score might not delight. When I was younger, I couldn't get into the film nor score. Dragonslayer changed my view of North although I would actually say the haunting elegy from Good Morning Viet Nam really did it (I hope someone releases that score too some day). North's approach on the surface seemed antithetical to today's mandate of subtle invisible underscore. It grabbed you by the balls and said "ahem, hi there, I am your score for this film and I'm a character just like the actors, set design, lighting, etc. are".

To each his or her own though. I don't expect everyone to fawn over this as others do. My feeling is, their loss. But most definitely our gain.

[TownerFan 5,283]

I must admit that while I am truly excited that it is going to be Spartacus, I almost have an "I told you so mentality".

You're right, it was never a matter of "if", but only "when". I'm happy that the moment is finally arriving.

And let me say to all the people who aren't familiar with this score: it's absolutely one of the greatest gems ever written by this genius composer. I always loved the film, it's my own favourite sword-and-sandal epic of all time (even though there's much more going on than people in skirts and papier-mache sets). It's a very audacious score, because it's written with a modern approach, like Fiery Angel said well up here. If you like Goldmith's 60s style of scoring, then you'll certainly love this. Don't look for a Miklòs Ròzsa-type of sound, this is something quite more aggressive and brash:

[Nemesis 254]

Is the score any good? Well, allow me to answer this. For people who like brash, bold themes, lush if not atypical orchestrations, complex meters (time signatures) and yearning love themes, yes. Spartacus is ground in the harmonies of the time period. For some, it's a sentimental wonderfulness. For newbies to film scoring, or folks not familiar with the '60s, or modernist orchestral music, North's score might not delight. When I was younger, I couldn't get into the film nor score. Dragonslayer changed my view of North although I would actually say the haunting elegy from Good Morning Viet Nam really did it (I hope someone releases that score too some day). North's approach on the surface seemed antithetical to today's mandate of subtle invisible underscore. It grabbed you by the balls and said "ahem, hi there, I am your score for this film and I'm a character just like the actors, set design, lighting, etc. are".

To each his or her own though. I don't expect everyone to fawn over this as others do. My feeling is, their loss. But most definitely our gain.

Thank you for your answer. I think I will give it a chance when it will be released by Varese.

I must admit that while I am truly excited that it is going to be Spartacus, I almost have an "I told you so mentality".

You're right, it was never a matter of "if", but only "when". I'm happy that the moment is finally arriving.

And let me say to all the people who aren't familiar with this score: it's absolutely one of the greatest gems ever written by this genius composer. I always loved the film, it's my own favourite sword-and-sandal epic of all time (even though there's much more going on than people in skirts and papier-mache sets). It's a very audacious score, because it's written with a modern approach, like Fiery Angel said well up here. If you like Goldmith's 60s style of scoring, then you'll certainly love this. Don't look for a Miklòs Ròzsa-type of sound, this is something quite more aggressive and brash:

Thanks for the link, I like this opening cue very much!

Can't wait to listen to it on CD

[Marian Schedenig 9,200]

I must admit that while I am truly excited that it is going to be Spartacus, I almost have an "I told you so mentality".

Yeah, I was more or less expecting it for this year by now. Only with the cat (half) out of the bag already, I'll soon be expecting pretty much anything else this year, too.

[Ollie 1,166]

My greatest fear is that the tribute album is being done because all that was available to release was the original MCA album.

I hope that Varese's release will be similar to Cleopatra, in that all the material has survived in a presentable fashion. But seeing as this is the 1000 release I'm pretty sure we're getting a deluxe edition.

You can hear his influence on Goldsmith and Williams at times in Spartacus.

It would be neat to see Williams contributing to the tribute album. I bet that Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein would have probably contributed had they been with us.

[Marian Schedenig 9,200]

My greatest fear is that the tribute album is being done because all that was available to release was the original MCA album.

That's what I'm slightly worried about as well, hence my asking "what is it?". Still, I imagine if substantial parts of the full score had been lost, they'd already have said something about it (even without necessarily implying that they were working on a release).

[Luke Skywalker 1,984]

if the dvd (and/or blue ray?) have good quality music...then its possible the music is not lost

[John Crichton 4]

I am truly overwhelmed, as a film score fan, with the embarrassment of riches we have received to begin 2010.

And 2009, and 2008....

Like Poltiergeist I'll be picking this up without hesitation, I'm glad that there's time to plan a little for it. The only North I have right now is 2001 and I really like it.

[Naïve Old Fart 10,577]

It is so good to see an often invisible, overlooked composer get his dues, even if it is almost 20 years after his death. The reigon 2 d.v.d has an isolated score that sounds really nice, so a reconstruction is not out of the question. What North did with such an economy of notes is simply staggering (the love theme is 3 notes, for crying out loud!). I will buy this without a moment's heaitation!

P.s., if it is possible for you to do so, synchronise North's score to "2001" with the film. It works, especially the main title, and the trip to the TMA.

[Luke Skywalker 1,984]

It is so good to see an often invisible, overlooked composer get his dues, even if it is almost 20 years after his death. The reigon 2 d.v.d has an isolated score that sounds really nice, so a reconstruction is not out of the question. What North did with such an economy of notes is simply staggering (the love theme is 3 notes, for crying out loud!). I will buy this without a moment's heaitation!

P.s., if it is possible for you to do so, synchronise North's score to "2001" with the film. It works, especially the main title, and the trip to the TMA.

nobody has tried ripping that spartacus dvd iso?

I mean, ok, its a holy grail, but easing the pain with a good quality iso score is healthy...

specially if the varase disc comes not being expanded at all...

[Richard P 4,276]

If the DVD has an isolated score, then where did the elements come from if not from the original tapes?

[Ollie 1,166]

nobody has tried ripping that spartacus dvd iso?

I mean, ok, its a holy grail, but easing the pain with a good quality iso score is healthy...

specially if the varase disc comes not being expanded at all...

I didn't know the Region 2 had an isolated score.

However that explains the source material that's been warming my feet. The sound isn't that good.

I have the original CD as well. Hopefully the rest of the material is in as good of shape as that is.

[Joe Brausam 222]

Lisbeth Scott's facebook status today...

"practising today..playing Alex North...what a genius.being here now is so much easier than wishing you were somewhere else. love to all mothers today!"

I wonder if she's involved with the tribute disc as well!

[Ollie 1,166]

Damn I forgot about this thread, I thought something had been announced from Varese.

[Joe Brausam 222]

Haha, sorry!

Someone asked what North she was performing, and she said this...

"i 'll be performing unchained melody, who's afraid and sanctuary. as well as the spartacus love theme. gorgeous!"

So I'd guess that she's probably involved with the album then. And also that there's still quite some time left before it comes, considering that it seems they're still working on getting together this tribute album.

[Ollie 1,166]

Something tells me we won't see Spartacus until after Ubeda, probably in the fall or late summer.

[Jacob 0]

My wallet will be grateful.

[Marian Schedenig 9,200]

I'm sure it'll be released right after I place some huge order for a number of limited releases, and then again I'll have to postpone ordering it until I can pair it with some new releases.

[Joe Brausam 222]

If it's released concurrently with a Club batch I'd expect to see it in November.

[Ollie 1,166]

I think this may be a stand alone release. We could be looking at a 3 to 4 disc set.

Frankly the tribute album doesn't interest me, especially if it's just different takes of the love theme from Spartacus. I'm still curious if Varese approached Williams about contributing to the album since he and North were good friends.

[Joe Brausam 222]

The tribute album is definitely an interesting concept though, i can't recall anything like it being done before. It should be pretty cool to hear all these different takes on North's music.

[Koray Savas 2,254]

Yeah, I'm especially interested with musicians such as Lisbeth Scott and Desplat involved.

[Wojo 2,456]

I don't think it's necessary. I usually skip the last four tracks on the Doctor Zhivago album, all the renditions of Lara's Theme in other styles...

...that is, if I can make it through the Doctor Zhivago album up to that point.

[Ollie 1,166]

Well either this set will be extravagant or they can't find the masters and need something to fill out a second disc.

[tharpdevenport 4]

Isham's YouTube ,video, before being pulled, had him saying about a dozen. So, the list so far:

1. Mark Isham

2. Alexandre Desplat

3. John Debney

4. Lisebeth Scott (assumed)

5. _______________

6. _______________

7. _______________

8. _______________

9. _______________

10. _______________

11. _______________

12. _______________

[Wojo 2,456]

9. _______________

This guy's got me excited. I've always been a big fan of number 9 blank.

[Morn 8]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I've been waiting for this forever. There is heeps of great music and whole themes not on the official release, I have the bootleg. It's an even worst treated score release than the old Temple of Doom and Hook. I like Spartacus score just as much as Williams best, Empire Strikes Back. So this is huge to me.

[Luke Skywalker 1,984]

take it easy...it maybe a single cd + a bonus cd of arrangements from famous people