The Master: Part 4

Part 4 of 5…I know, it’s a lot of Goldsmith to digest, but he has just has too much. Originally I wanted to make it only 3 parts, but I kept going over the whole list, and I just couldn’t stop right there.

This time I’m going for some of the heavyweights on his career, as well as a couple of minor titles. And again, what a range of films, for every genre.

There is a Sci-Fi classic, Horror, Suspense, Drama, Romance, Action. He could tackle them all. And if you listen to them, you’ll notice that he not only did that, he made some of them unforgettable.


Wikipedia / IMDB

A Few more favorites

Papillon

Another collaboration with his good friend Franklin J. Schaffner, this one showcasing a heartfelt and personal work for Goldsmith. Someone qualified it’s memorable main theme as lush. I fully agree

Track: Theme from Papillon

Patton

War scores can be incredibly moving, but some try to bring up the action seen on screen. This is a perfect example of how less can be more, trying to accentuate the personal story more so that the action itself. What a rousing theme!

(Note. There are a few different editions out there. This one includes a few themes of “A Patch of Blue” with it)

Track: Patton March

Poltergeist

What an example of the evolution of a score following the movie, starting with some eerie themes mixed with a light family theme, and progressively transforming into a full horror score.

(This one refers to the 1997 Expanded Edition)

Track: The Calling/The Neighborhood

Air Force One

A “quick” assignment for Goldsmith, who had to write a score in 2 weeks after the original from Randy Newman was rejected by the studio.Here he delivers one of his later and most rousing scores, exemplified perfectly by the “Hijacking” track

Track: The Hijacking

L.A. Confidential

Curtis Hanson made sure that Jazz music was a center part of the film, but he recruited Goldsmith to “fill in the gaps”. The results is a score were most of its value is on the action and suspense parts. And here is were Goldsmith works best, adding a Jazzy Trumpet to showcase his main theme and serve as a bridge between the score and the song soundtrack

Track: Bloody Christmas

Collectors corner, Must-Have & Small Gems

As the section indicates, here I’ll try to name 3 scores; the first, a difficult to find title, the second, is pretty much given, and the third, is a score that you may not think about that often (mainly due to the quality of the film), but it’s a surprising find.

Collector’s corner: A Patch of Blue – Jerry Goldsmith

An absolute must, this early piece in his career is a perfect score, where the sentiments are never overstated, but heightened and adding other layers of emotion to the story itself

Track: Finale

Must-Have: Star Trek: First Contact – Jerry Goldsmith

I don’t think there is much that can be said here. A timeless classic.I decided to showcase one of his later Star Trek works because it showcases what he could do with already existing music. This main theme, for example, contains 4 main parts; the original Alexander Courage theme, his own main theme created for the first movie, a new and gorgeous main theme for this film and some “Borg” music that was created by his son Joel, which Goldsmith thought could help him create a metallic signature sound to contrast the other rousing and epic themes.

(Note: Film music reviews can sometimes be too technical in its dissertations. I found this one to be a great example of how I feel a good review should be for those who want to learn more about what goes on with the music itself)

Track: Main Theme/Locutus

Small Gems: Forever Young – Jerry Goldsmith

Goldsmith at his most romantic, with a little dash of adventure mixed in between. A minor title for sure, but quite enjoyable.

Track: Love Theme

Trivia

Goldsmith was originally contracted to do the score for Judge Dredd, but he had to drop out due to his work on First Knight and Congo. He did create a specific piece of music for the first trailer, which gave a clear idea of what it was going to sound like. Ever since, the theme has been used in many other trailers. And its even made its way into a couple of albums

The Master: Part 3

Once again, more Goldsmith. How could I not. So many good scores, from so many different genres.

Today’s theme would be genre variety I guess. In a way, they all are since he created music for war films, horror, comedies, action or adventure. But today’s examples are mostly from smaller titles.

It is easy to forget the music for many of those (Or even the films themselves) But they are the kind of music that once discovered, one enjoys listening to over and over.

Wikipedia / IMDB


Relevant website

Jerry Goldsmith’s Online

Beautiful online tribute and resource center for the famed composer


A Few more favorites

Lionheart
Occasionally, director and composer enjoy a specific relation that brings the best music works to light. Spielberg and Williams is always a perfect example. In Goldsmith case, is his work with director Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet of the Apes, Islands in the Stream, Patton).
This is a perfect example of a smaller title with a fantastic score to it.Originally there were 2 volumes sold separately with music. They were then condensed in the more widely available version today. But unfortunately not all the music is there.
Track: The Banner

Matinee
Director Joe Dante used Goldsmith also in most of his films (Gremlins, The Burbs, Innerspace). This was definitely a smaller title, filled with sentimentality, and a certain comedic tone. Very enjoyable.
Track: Coming Attraction

The Russia House
A magnificent example of Goldsmith craft, mixing a jazz theme, with some nervous strings for the action. Unfortunately, the released CD contained most of the basic love them, foregoing the more incidental action score. So it may sound repetitive. But it is still one of his most beautiful themes.
Track: Katya

Congo
Another “tribal” experiment, born out of the success of Jurassic park. Goldsmith correctly creates an entertaining action score, mixed with some more ethnic sounds.
Track: Gates of Zinj

The Sand Pebbles
A landmark title for the composer, arguably his biggest at the time, was unreleased for years. Varese Sarabande records resurrected it in his Limited Club releases a few years ago, restoring almost all the music. A true gem for any music lover in this classic score.
Track: Overture


Collectors corner, Must-Have & Small Gems

As the section indicates, here I’ll try to name 3 scores; the first, a difficult to find title, the second, is pretty much given, and the third, is a score that you may not think about that often (mainly due to the quality of the film), but it’s a surprising find.

Collector’s corner: Night Crossing – Jerry Goldsmith
A largely forgotten Cold War drama based on the true story about two families that escaped East Germany into West Germany in 1979. Here Goldsmith provided one of his most thrilling and tense scores. And for Disney movie no less!!!
Track: Final Flight

Must-Have: Hoosiers – Jerry Goldsmith
One of the most inspirational sport movies ever, boasts what many consider the best score for the genre. It’s no surprise that the same team later created another memorable turn with “Rudy”
Track: The Pivot

Small Gems: Small Soldiers – Jerry Goldsmith
Almost a parody of his own scores (Patton’s theme can be heard throughout the film), it is still a zany great example of how mischievous film music can be.A very short original release, there are plenty of expanded bootleg copies out there (Even the orchestra recording sessions have made it to the internet)
Track: Roll Call


Trivia
By my count, Goldsmith was nominated for 18 Academy Awards, 7 Emmys, 6 Grammys and 9 Golden Globes

The Master: Part 2

So, we continue on our Jerry Goldsmith journey. There is just so much to him, that this is going to last a few more weeks.

A couple of posts backs I mentioned two of his concert compilations. Goldsmith was noted for how many concerts he directed of his own works. It’s certainly not rare among film composers, but he is one of the most prolific composers in this area.

His TV themes suites, or film suites are among the most famous, and he developed them more and more over the years, adding new pieces to it. So, again, I fully recommend “The Film Music of Jerry Goldsmith” (2001, Telarc) as the best starting point
Track: Motion Pictures Medley
(The Sand Pebbles, Chinatown, Air Force One, A Patch of Blue, Poltergeist, Papillon, Basic Instinct, The Wind and the Lion)


Wikipedia / IMDB


Relevant website

Jerry Goldsmith’s Soundtrack collector page

A couple of bio notes, and a portal to discover 300+ titles…


A Few more favorites

Coma
An interesting suspense title on his filmography, with a lite, but enjoyable love theme
Track: Love Theme


MacArthur
A classic title, very scarce unfortunately; almost an example of “euphoria militaris”
Track: MacArthur March


Looney Tunes – Back in action
His last score. True to the spirit of the film, sounds just like a classic looney tunes
Track: Dead Duck Walking


Logan’s Run
Does contain some futuristic sounds, but it’s his classical approach what makes this 70’s score so great.
Track: End of the City


Rambo III
Instead of going for leit-motifs, Goldsmith creates an abundant number of new themes for each of the sequels. You might be surprised by the quality of his work here
Track: Night Entry



Collectors corner, Must-Have & Small Gems

As the section indicates, here I’ll try to name 3 scores; the first, a difficult to find title, the second, is pretty much given, and the third, is a score that you may not think about that often (mainly due to the quality of the film), but it’s a surprising find.


Collector’s corner: Supergirl – Jerry Goldsmith
One of those great examples where the music might be better than the film itself. The following track showcases all three main themes in the movie (Supergirl’s, the love theme, and Selena’s monster theme)
Track: Overture


Must-Have: The Omen – Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry’s sole Oscar win came form this quintessential horror title. Gives me chills every time I listen to it.
Track: Ave Satani


Small Gems: Innerspace– Jerry Goldsmith
Only 25 mins of score, with 5 songs. And maybe just recycling other scores. But it is a perfect example and mix of what he can do, mixing themes for action, sci-fi and comedy
Track: Environmental adjust



Trivia


I had the privilege of seeing Jerry in concert twice. The second time, at the Hollywood Bowl, me and a friend finished the concert by screaming “Jerry, Jerry” a la Springer….