Search - Kaufman, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra :: Shane: A Tribute to Victor Young

Just an absolute treaure!

William J. Finn | Sarasota Florida | 06/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you enjoyed Charles Gerhardt's Classic Film Scores on RCA from a few years back, then you might consider this a worthwhile successor. Gerhardt never got to do a Victor Young CD, but Msrs. Fine and Kaufman did it in the finest style in this Koch CD. Unlike many film music re-recordings with orchestras that cannot manage to stay together, much less in tune, these New Zealanders show that they are world class once again. Their superb performance is one of the reasons to recommend this CD.The other is - well fortunately, this splendid performance just happens to coincide with the music of the great Victor Young. Probably the most forgotten of the film composers of the Golden Age. He did not even live to receive his Oscar for "Around The World in 80 Days". But his music is not forgotten and this CD will remind you that he was one of the best. The highlight of the CD is of course the music of "Shane". This is the only place you will find it on CD, LP, tape or otherwise.
Beautifully played however, so that you will only want to hear more. The other music has been covered elsewhere, but not always this well. The harp solo in "Samson & Delilah" is haunting, the zip in "The Quiet Man" is present and the disc even includes an epilogue for "Around the World In 80 Days". A bonus is Henry Mancini's lovely tribute to Young.Just why Victor Young has become the forgotten man will remain a mystery to many of us."

Absolute Dynamite

William J. Finn | 09/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hey listen, folks, this is a disc to treasure! Not only is this a recording that is rich with sonic texture, the music is breathtaking! This is a most rewarding piece of work, for which kudos should be roundly handed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in particular and to Koch in general. "Shane" is, without a doubt, one of the greatest scores ever written--it screams the granduer of the Grand Tetons! It's big music, but has a tender "American" charm that one typically finds in the music of Aaron Copland, although not at all "Copland-esque." I can't say enough about this lovely score. Of course, the suite, "For Whom The Bell Tolls," is no slouch, either, full of exotic melodies that capture the spirit of the film, not to mention Hemingway's work in print. The "Quiet Man" music is utterly delightful, with its jaunty Irish foundations. All in all, this is disc for one to savor, and it is well worth the full price. Highly recommended."

Great film music.

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 09/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Victor Young was one of a handful of top composers of film scores during Hollywood's Golden Age. His scores were all very melodious and quite apt for the films with which they were associated. Extended excerpts of two of his best scores -- Shane and Sampson and Delilah -- are presented on this disc. Also presented is his Academy Award winning theme for Around the World in 80 Days plus Stella by Starlight from The Uninvited and My Foolish Heart from the film of the same name. I suspect that oustanding film music such as is presented on this disc will still be around when much allegedly more serious music from the 20th century is forgotten. I highly recommend this CD."