Search - Alex North :: North: Cleopatra

Alex North's Masterful "Cleopatra" Glows and Shimmers

R. L. Pulliam | Oakland, CA USA | 03/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be impossible, not to mention unfair, to state with any degree of persuasion that this movie score or that movie score is the greatest ever written. There have been far too many great composers in film history, each of whom has written truly great scores.In 1950, an innovator named Alex North came to Hollywood to score "A Streetcar Named Desire" -- a combination of jazz and symphonic music that changed the nature of film music composition. (One of today's most gifted move music maestros, Jerry Goldsmith, decided to become a film composer after seeing "Viva Zapata" in 1952 because of the score written by Alex North).North's masterpieces are considered, arguably, to be "Spartacus" and "Cleopatra" -- the latter is seen as having evolved from the former. Whereas "Spartacus" (the complete true soundtrack of which may never be forthcoming, sad to say) is raw, dissonant savagery commingled with some of the purest of melodies, "Cleopatra" is nearly pure intellect, with hints of savagery at the fringes -- any time, in fact, the might of the Roman Empire interferes with Cleopatra's grand designs. "Spartacus" is drums and horns screeching and wailing (and in amazing rhythms and tempos...enough to bring human blood to a fighting boil), "Cleopatra" is exotic chimes and percussive effects, along with gentle strings weaving warm, sinuous lines of music underneath dialogue and around grand palace sets. Then, too, it is a rawly sexual, sensual procession into Rome, as well as tender, heartbreaking farewells.Varese Sarabande, executive producers Nick Redman and Robert Townson and restoration producer Lukas Kendall have all worked a miracle with their efforts on this score. Running at a combined time of just over 150 minutes, this score presentation sounds like it was recorded yesteday, rather than 39 years ago. The liner notes offer tantalizing glimpses into the gigantic puzzle everyone involved faced when working with the recording masters. They had to piece this score together in much the same way Alex North had to do it back in 1963, although digital technology, I have been assured, makes it more financially viable than would be possible without it. I am always amazed every time a great film score -- from any age -- gets this kind of loving attention. So many people invest their time and money into saving a film score from total oblivion for the sheer love of doing it. This is never a lucrative enterprise. Film scores don't make "profits" in the conventional sense of the word. There are the rare ones that do, but something such as "Cleopatra" won't be among them (although the original soundtrack did sell quite well back in 1963). And it's a tragedy, really, because this music makes the film much more than it actually is...more exquisite, more human, more watchable.There are two main themes -- "Caesar and Cleopatra" and "Antony and Cleopatra" that run throughout North's score like golden threads in a Flemish tapestry. In the cue "Coronation," you hear the "Caesar and Cleopatra" theme played out on tinkling chimes. This is not Top 100 fodder. It's not likely to please anyone but those who love movies and movie music. Then, too, it might please a few classical music listeners, too, especially those who like new experiences, for that is what this score is...for young and old...a strikingly original, complex composition of the modern school that was constructed to evoke an ancient time. Alex North's "Cleopatra" withstood 39 years of virtual anonymity, kept alive by the memories and passions of a few hundred film music fans. Today, a handful of those fans are to be praised for restoring it for present and future generations. Alex North may not have been the greatest film composer to come out of Hollywood, but he is one of the greatest. As for his score for "Cleopatra," it's one of Hollywood's true masterpieces.If I could possibly recommend it more highly, I would."

CLEOPATRA SETS THE STANDARD FOR SOUNDTRACK REISSUES!

hcampo | Culver City, Ca. | 03/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release sets a standard of excellence which future reissues of classic soundtrack albums should be judged. Using as many as nine separate tracks on some of the cue fragments, producers Nick Redman and Robert Townson have assembled the best representation of Alex North's monumental score ever made available to the music-buying public. To say that this 2 CD set is a vast improvement over the original LP release is an understatement that can only be fully appreciated by buying and listening to this wonderful album. In fact the sound quality is so good that you will find it impossible to believe that the source for this reissue is almost forty years old.Every note of this splendid CD is derived from the original multi-track "music only" magnetic masters of the motion picture, which means that, unlike the recently mutilated Rodgers and Hammerstein soundtrack reissues on EMI-Angel, there are no Foley effects, dialogue or other intrusions to mar your enjoyment of this great score. The music comes first in this presentation so even if you rightfully think of North's CLEOPATRA as one of the great theatrical symphonic works of the 2oth. Century instead of just a musical souvenir of a movie, you will not be disappointed.The 20th. Century Fox Orchestra plays magnificently, as always, on this recording and these CD's contain practically every note Alex North wrote for CLEOPATRA and for once the inclusion of all this music instead of a traditional suite of themes is not only appropriate but essential.Alex North's musical style can be appreciated by a wide spectrum of listeners. Whether your tastes lie rooted in classical, jazz, new age or other genres this lyric, beautifully orchestrated music is accessible to all. That this CD release was a labor of love for all the parties involved in its inception is clear in listening to it. Alex North's score for CLEOPATRA is a musical masterpiece that has been given its due magnificently in this expanded reissue."

"nominated by the Academy Awards in 1963 for Best Score"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 03/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alex North and his music occupy a rarified postion among the pantheon of men most widely considered to be the masters of film music - his peak is compositional intellect while exploring the deepest troves of musical emotion found anywhere in film composition. For "Cleopatra", a film that can be referred to without the slightest reservation as one of the most enormous productions ever to emerge from Hollywood - is being re-released on DVD (3-DVD-Set) on 4/03/2001 running time of 248 minutes - completely restored. North composed one of the masterpieces of the art form - at long last to be presented as it should have been here, is cause for great celebration. The score manages to display both a convincing authenticity of the period - and North's distinctive gift for explosive, striking modernism - touching on the transition of Rome from Republic to empire. Our composer with his passion and skill for exploring human emotions, coupled with a unique gift for striking and exotic orchestral colors, that made his epic scores so distinctive and unforgettable. North's spectacular works of large-scale modernism in this film works of dazzling darkness and light, of explosive power and dizzying beauty.We are grateful to - Nick Redman (producer), Robert Townson (executive producer/CD booklet design/outstanding liner-notes), Lukas Kendall (restoration producer), Dan Hersch (digital editing/mastering), Jeff Bond (score liner-notes) and Varese Sarabande - the resurrection of Cleopatra and ALEX NORTH!Total Time: Disc One 76:12 on 29 Tracks & Disc Two 74:49 on 24 Tracks...Varese Sarabande 302 066 224 2...(2001)"