Search - Charlie [1] Chaplin, Carl Davis, Wihan Quartet :: Chaplin, Charlie: Essential Film Music (2 CD SET)

Without vim and vigor

Candace Scott | Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA | 04/28/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I so much wanted to like this new collection of Chaplin music but ended up quite disappointed. The pacing of the songs is simply too plodding, slow and lacking the excitement of the actual film versions. This is especially true with the overture from "Modern Times" and the thematic music used throughout "The Kid." The dancing segment from "City Lights" is a punchy jazz piece, designed to be played vulgar and loud. Forget it with this arrangement, which sounds like something out of the Hollyridge Strings.



There are many compilations of Chaplin music and though this is the newest offering, it is by no means the superior choice. Opt instead for the actual soundtracks from his films, where you hear the music as it was intended to be heard. I doubt even CC himself would embarce this staid and arthritic collection, where forceful tunes are reduced to wan drivel."

Re-compositions, yes ... but still very, very beautiful

Snorre Smari Mathiesen | Norway | 02/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the previous reviewer pointed out, CHARLIE CHAPLIN: ESSENTIAL FILMS MUSIC doesn't include Chaplin's original music taken directly from his films, but re-compositions by Carl Davis to make the tracks more suitable for CD publication.



However, I can't hide my disagreement with the previous reviewer's statements. I found the tracks to be very similar to the music from Chaplin's masterworks. The person claimed that CITY LIGHTS is mainly a "jazz piece," but if my intuitive knowledge about music has any value, I can sincerely tell you that I certainly couldn't hear that. One important fact is that the customer must not expect the entire music from the titles listed up, but rather samplings from the best moments in the films -- THE KID, PAY DAY, THE GOLD RUSH and A COUNTESS FROM HONG KONG include more or less the entire compositions from the films (quite shortened, though), while MODERN TIMES includes music from the famous factory-sequence only (SMILE is included in THE REEL CHAPLIN PART 2). The second disc offers music composed by Carl Davis to the Mutual-shorts, and are all complete and very beautiful as well.



While the previous reviewer and the people who agree with him or her have their rights to their opinions, I assure you that this collection made me more than satisfied -- certain parts of the material was simply outstanding. When I first put it in my record-player I was blown away of its beauty, especially when listening to THE KID, THE GOLD RUSH, CITY LIGHTS and THE GREAT DICTATOR, music which I've wanted to own for years. The theme from LIMELIGHT, included in THE REEL CHAPLIN PART 1 almost made me weep.



My only complaint is that while being far more complete than any other collection of Chaplin-music I've put my hands on previously, it lacks the thrilling MONSIEUR VERDOUX-theme. And where is the finale of THE CIRCUS which creates so many emotions in my mind? Nevertheless, ESSENTIAL FILM MUSIC gets five well deserved stars from me.



An excellent collection of outstanding music."

"Essential Film Music of Charlie Chaplin --- Silva Screen Re

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bringing the scores of Classic Chaplin films can only be described as one of the greatest achievements of film score restorations from the Entertainment Industry ---- a musicians musician composer conductor Carl Davis conducts The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra featuring The Wihan Quartet setting the mood for this serious, funfilled and touching story of our favorite "Little Tramp" (Charlie Chaplin) ---- "CITY LIGHTS", falling in love and helping a Blind Flower Girl(Virginia Cherrill)to regain her sight---but some of the biggest laughs are the scenes with the Millionaire (Harry Myers) who just so happens to be drunk fed up and always trying to do away with himself...each scene is funnier than the previous one...Chaplin and Myers are priceless whenever they grace the screen together.



Chaplin's scores has many counterpoints ---- ranging from comedy, romance and even heartache ---- one of the best known songs is "SMILE", which became a standard by several recording artists such as Nat "King" Cole and Tony Bennett...but back to the scores at hand---"ETERNALLY", is classic Chaplin composition as it captures the heart---"THIS IS MY SONG", longings arrangements with outstanding conceptions hit the mark on this disc one.



The second disc has music composed by Carl Davis for "THE FLOORWALKER" (1916), Charlie is mistaken for the manager of a department store who has just stolen from the cash drawer, and Charlie is completely innocent ---- "THE FIREMAN" (1916), Charlie's a sleepy firemen and is simply amazing in this flick as he rescues the damsel in a burning house, the Carl Davis score fits this to a "T" ---- "THE VAGABOND" (1916), this time Charlie's a wandering violinist who falls in love with a gypsy girl as the tears and laughter follow in this Davis score ---- "ONE A.M." (1916), another good score from Davis as Charlie who is inebriated during the next twenty minutes tries to get into his own house and battles with a hostile Murphy bed, great stuff ---- the balance of Davis work "THE COUNT" (1916), here Charlie is mistaken for royal count, but when the real one shows up watch the fun and the Davis suite is right on ---- "THE PAWNSHOP" (1916), Chaplin in one of his best a masterpiece of humor, the scene with he clock is priceless ---- "BEHIND THE SCREEN" (1916), Charlie is working for a film studio with behind the scenes of how making movies works, it has it moments ---- "THE RINK" (1916), probably one of the funniest shorts with Chaplin on roller skates, this is a downright belly laugh of fun ---- "EASY STREET" (1917), has Chaplin taking money from a Mission, becoming a policeman with some realistic fight scenes ---- "THE CURE" (1917", not playing 'The Tramp', Chaplin has a drinking problem and a revolving door doesn't help, watch out for the man with the broken foot, Davis gives this his best shot ---- "THE IMMIGRANT" (1917), America and the immigrant with Chaplin working his magic is pure genius, sprinkled with almost nine minute suite from Davis is touching ---- "THE ADVENTURER" (1917) , watch Chaplin with the lampshade and the Davis cue brings out all of that and then some ---- this one-of-a-kind Chaplin set has Charlie up to his elbows in laughter and tears ---- and the music fits the bill.



Silva Screen Records has brilliantly brought together a lost score, which has now seen the light of day...thank you James Fitzpatrick (producer) and Reynold da Silva(executive producer) and Paul Wing (associate producer) for sharing this piece of "Golden Age Silent Hollywood" from Actor/Director/Producer/Editor/Scenario/Composer ---- Birth Date: 4/16/1889 in Walworth, London, England, UK and Died: 12/25/1977 - Vevey, Switzerland (natural causes) ---- CHARLIE CHAPLIN and his classic creation THE ESSENTIAL FILM MUSIC COLLECTION of Charles Spencer Chaplin ---- The Little Tramp.



Total Time: 2 CD Set ~ Silva Screen Records SILCD 1198 ~ (4/18/2006)"