Anyone heard these? Some really interesting stuff.
Bernstein re-recorded his TOCCATA FOR TOY TRAINS in the Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection box set, and that's the version I have. Really nice music; reminds me of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at times, but it's more uptempo.
The CD with these scores (AMB-2001, marked as "Vol. 1", sadly without a following vol. 2 if I'm correct) was a free gift from SAE if you bought SATURN 3 some time ago. The compositions are quirky, cute, very original and entertaining.
But I like every Elmer Bernstein score so I'm biased.
I have not listened yet to the TOCCATA FOR TOY TRAINS from the FMC box -- I thought it was the same recording as on the Amber CD, so it was in fact re-recorded for the FMC release ?
I first met Charles and Ray Eames in 1952. They had produced a short documentary about the concepts that made computers possible. My respected senior colleague Franz Waxman recommended me to them to compose the score. It was the beginning of a twenty-five-year relationship, during which we collaborated on more than thirty short films.
The story that continues focusing on the particular short films which are included on the CD.
I have not listened yet to the TOCCATA FOR TOY TRAINS from the FMC box -- I thought it was the same recording as on the Amber CD, so it was in fact re-recorded for the FMC release ?
It was. The Amber version is from the film's soundtrack and thus comes with the opening narration. The FMC version is just the music re-recorded. An excellent performance.
For Christmas this year, I got the box dvd set of the films of Charles & Ray Eames, which includes not only TOCCATA FOR TOY TRAINS but a number of other short films scored by Bernstein. I've always been a fan of the collaborations between the Eames's and Bernstein.
The CD with these scores (AMB-2001, marked as "Vol. 1", sadly without a following vol. 2 if I'm correct) was a free gift from SAE if you bought SATURN 3 some time ago. The compositions are quirky, cute, very original and entertaining.
But I like every Elmer Bernstein score so I'm biased.
I have not listened yet to the TOCCATA FOR TOY TRAINS from the FMC box -- I thought it was the same recording as on the Amber CD, so it was in fact re-recorded for the FMC release ?
Yes, I received this as a Great Free Bonus Gift from SAE with purchase of SATURN 3. Great Elmer Bernstein fun stuff. His style for the Eames Films always reminded me somewhat of Goldsmith's GENERAL WITH THE COCKEYED I.D.
These films are all on DVD and are worth Netflixing at the very least. Many late Baby Boomers/early Gen Xers will remember seeing some of these on 16 mm films in grade school. Really inspired, delightful stuff, nicely capturing a lost era.
At another thread I (on Ernest Gold) I wrote about my experiences with composers during the Oakland Film Music Symposium in March of 1976. The last day of the Symposium featured a mini concert/demonstration. Ernest Gold used Gerald MacBoingBoing (or was it David Raksin) and Elmer Bernstein used Toccata for Toy Trains. His TFTT first appeared in the short film of the same name and he rerecorded it for his Film Music Club. It was the backside of and LP which featured "The Miracle" on side one and TFTT on side two. In Oakland the composers wanted to show how to conduct using film scoring techniques. Using a small 16 pierce orchestra they ran the films on a screen behind the stage with the sound off and conducted the orchestra with sheet music and a click track (visible to us on screen) to match up with the visuals. It was stunning. TFTT was a great short about Toy Trains. If you can obtain the rerecording as it is better than the soundtrack CD. Elmer once again proved his genius. As if I weren't already convinced.
Sorry I was having a senior moment. The LP is a collector's item. The FSM reproduction of the entire LP collection EB recorded is in print. They explain that it is from LP sources. The CD with the soundtrack was for sale at the Elmer Bernstein website and may still be there. Otherwise check Amazon.com or ebay.
Sorry I was having a senior moment. The LP is a collector's item. The FSM reproduction of the entire LP collection EB recorded is in print. They explain that it is from LP sources. The CD with the soundtrack was for sale at the Elmer Bernstein website and may still be there. Otherwise check Amazon.com or ebay.
As noted, the original recordings are available at Screen Archives (for a very reasonable price, I might add). The Elmer Bernstein website directs those interested in EB merchandise to the SAE website. Quite right about the EB Filmmusic rerecording, also right there at SAE.
So, does anyone know if Elmer had a hip pad with moderne furniture? Saul Bass lived in a case study house, with a Saarinen pedestal table on his back porch, which was built around an oak tree. (There is famous kodacrhome photo of Bass and his wife sitting at the table). I would certainly hope that Elmer had moderne furniture.
I have this cd. I have to say I was diappointed with the sound quality. it sounded very harsh and thin to my ears. other wise its great music. I would have loved it if they had included the music for Tops on that collection, thats my favorite Bernstein score for an Eames film
There was one Eames film not represented in that set that I would have liked to have seen, which was the "View From The People Wall" film from the IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. It too had a score reminscent of "To Kill A Mockingbird" and I think the film even showed Elmer conducting at the beginning.
A bigger Bernstein grail for me would be his scores for the David L. Wolper documentaries "The Making Of The President, 1960" and "Four Days In November".
There was one Eames film not represented in that set that I would have liked to have seen, which was the "View From The People Wall" film from the IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. It too had a score reminscent of "To Kill A Mockingbird" and I think the film even showed Elmer conducting at the beginning.
A bigger Bernstein grail for me would be his scores for the David L. Wolper documentaries "The Making Of The President, 1960" and "Four Days In November".
Let's throw in "Hollywood and the Stars" while we're hoping!
