Search - Alfred Newman, Bernard Herrmann :: The Egyptian [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

A true, enduring masterpiece!

R. L. Pulliam | Oakland, CA USA | 09/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There have been many milestones in film music history that have resonated through the decades finding new audiences and inspiring new recordings.



Unique among them is "The Egyptian," a major collaboration between uber-composers Bernard Herrmann (to whom the film was assigned) and Alfred Newman (20th Century-Fox Music Department head and all-time great composer/conductor). While Herrmann got the initial assignment, the allotted time was inadequate for him to do justice to the film. Newman stepped in and developed thematic materials which Herrmann incorporated into his own desginated sections of the film, while Newman the rest.



In my opinion, "The Egyptian" -- as a film -- stands well above most epics of the 50s, but it has some serious detractors who, for whatever reasons, find no value in the authentic atmosphere, fantastic sets, stunning cinematography and brilliant music underscoring. Add to that some solid performances from Victor Mature, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov and Michael Wilding (plus a stolid, if uninvolving leading performance by Edmund Purdom) and you really get a stunning piece of entertainment that holds the attention, dazzles the eyes and ears and becomes emotionally involving. Wilding, as the pharaoh, has the film's -- and one of filmdom's -- best moments near the end of the film. Newman's underscoring for that scene -- called "Death of Akhnaton" -- is an example of what film scoring is all about. It also heightens awareness of what seems to be missing from many of today's film composers resumes -- intensive education in music theory, counterpoint, harmony and exposure to all forms of music. The scene is breathtaking, heartbreakingly performed and musically overwhelming, although the music is always "under" the scene rather than rampaging over it.



There are so many wonderful pieces of music in this film that I acknowledge my inadequacy to present a case for them. The proof is in the listening. From the awe-inspiring opening to the exquisite theme for "Merit" to the sinuous, hypnotic theme for "Nefer", Herrmann and Newman have created a musical palette of stunning splendors. There is no other soundtrack album like it.



I cannot overstate its importance, the splendiferousness of its performance on this recording by the 20th Century-Fox Studio Orchestra as conducted by Alfred Newman, and the glorious choral work of Newman's right-hand man, Ken Darby.



This is film music history. Any collection without it is hollow."