The 1981 movie Ghost Story, adapted from a novel by Peter Straub, has a fantastic score by Philippe Sarde. Varese Sarabande released the soundtrack way back in 1990, one of many Universal-produced movie scores. The recording contains the lion's share of the music with a few missing pieces here and there. But the recording itself is really amazing! For a disc released at such an early time, the sound quality sounds almost like it was mastered with today's technology.
This is a personal favorite of mine through the years. The instrumentation reminds me (oddly) of "Night's in White Satin" (Moody Blues) and Leonard Rosenman's Lord of the Rings. OK, I know, weird but hey. Punchy, informative liner notes by Kevin Mulhal
Wouldn't mind a "deluxe edition" deal with this one, with the album & complete. But the existing CD is nearly perfect as is.
Couldn't agree more! I was just playing this last week as its a score i often go back to and the sound quality is really bang on. Aside from a lovely little moment of music at the end of the film where Alice Krige's character is walking through the old abandoned house in her wedding dress, i really can't say that much was missed from Varese's album representation. I never really got into Philippe Sarde's music in a big way (apart from The Tenant) but i loved this one.
The ghostly female vocals heard just before her attacks ... priceless.
I saw this when I was 5, and I always shut my eyes right when I heard that choral thing. Even as a little kid, I knew the power of film music, albeit subconsciously.
This score has some of the most delicious recorded sound ever I've heard on a soundtrack, which Sarde's crepuscular arrangements exploit to the hilt.
Also a big Straub fan... well, a devoted Straub reader, rather. Sometimes he leaves me shaking my head, but he always tries something interesting even when he goes off the rails.
This score has some of the most delicious recorded sound ever I've heard on a soundtrack, which Sarde's crepuscular arrangements exploit to the hilt.
Also a big Straub fan... well, a devoted Straub reader, rather. Sometimes he leaves me shaking my head, but he always tries something interesting even when he goes off the rails.
CREPUSCULAR. Great word.
Sarde's orchestrations are definitely wonderful. I particularly enjoy the bright percussion and the squeeze-box (?) effect early on in the picture, during scenes of delirium.
The ghostly female vocals heard just before her attacks ... priceless. -Rick O.
And mostly NOT USED in the final film....
As a matter of fact, the on the album there is a haunting duet for solo piano and voice that ends the FINALE track, but in the film, you only hear the PIANO.
The ghostly female vocals heard just before her attacks ... priceless. -Rick O.
And mostly NOT USED in the final film....
As a matter of fact, the on the album there is a haunting duet for solo piano and voice that ends the FINALE track, but in the film, you only hear the PIANO.
Ford A. Thaxton
Yeah, that whole ending was botched. Re-shoots, maybe? The track "Demise" was also butchered; it's entire middle section substituted music from the Main Title.
Wasn't this one of the Peter Knight-orchestrated scores, like Tess and Quest for Fire? (Also Jones's Dark Crystal and Nate and Hayes.) Wonderful arranger!
Wasn't this one of the Peter Knight-orchestrated scores, like Tess and Quest for Fire? (Also Jones's Dark Crystal and Nate and Hayes.) Wonderful arranger!
Lukas
I agree. I recall Knight being credited on more than one arrangement for Richard Carpenter, and they had a beautiful sound much in keeping with what I heard in his Sarde works.
David Raksin once said "I hear he [Sarde] doesn't do all his own work", so perhaps Knight had a sizable hand in what came out in these scores.
Wasn't this one of the Peter Knight-orchestrated scores, like Tess and Quest for Fire? (Also Jones's Dark Crystal and Nate and Hayes.) Wonderful arranger!
Lukas
If it was, that would explain the original poster's reference to the Moody Blues' Knights In White Satin, which Knight did the brilliant orchestrations for.
the recording itself is really amazing! For a disc released at such an early time, the sound quality sounds almost like it was mastered with today's technology.
Punchy, informative liner notes by Kevin Mulhal
Wouldn't mind a "deluxe edition" deal with this one, with the album & complete. But the existing CD is nearly perfect as is.
Thoughts?
-Rick O.
Sadly, all I have is the cassette. Adequate sound, no liner notes.
Wow... so what are some other recommended Peter Knight-arranged opuses, then?
Peter Knight wrote a music score for a 1968 Tigon production entitled CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTAR, starring Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee & Barbara Steele.
Peter Knight also conducted 1) the Ambrosian Singers, 2) the London Philharmonic Orchestra, 3) the London Symphony Orchestra, & 4) Les Percussions de Strasbourg (!) at EMI/Abbey Road Studios for the 'other' 1981 score by Philippe Sarde - QUEST FOR FIRE.
[I own both GHOST STORY and QUEST FOR FIRE on their original LPs, and I much prefer the primordal soundscapes of QUEST FOR FIRE, sounding like a concert work evoking human pre-history]
the recording itself is really amazing! For a disc released at such an early time, the sound quality sounds almost like it was mastered with today's technology.
Punchy, informative liner notes by Kevin Mulhal
Wouldn't mind a "deluxe edition" deal with this one, with the album & complete. But the existing CD is nearly perfect as is.
Thoughts?
-Rick O.
Sadly, all I have is the cassette. Adequate sound, no liner notes.
Me: Wow... so what are some other recommended Peter Knight-arranged opuses, then?
Tonerow: Peter Knight wrote a music score for a 1968 Tigon production entitled CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTAR, starring Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee & Barbara Steele.
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Ha, I just watched that under the title The Crimson Cult not more than two months ago! It is (or was) on Netflix's Watch Instantly service.
Quite enjoyed it-- I'm a sucker for this niche of British Horror. The 'dark rite' sequences were wonderful.
Wasn't this one of the Peter Knight-orchestrated scores, like Tess and Quest for Fire? (Also Jones's Dark Crystal and Nate and Hayes.) Wonderful arranger!
Lukas
If it was, that would explain the original poster's reference to the Moody Blues' Knights In White Satin, which Knight did the brilliant orchestrations for.
Wow, you have got to be kidding me. Wow, I had no idea. I have a better ear than I thought. Amazed by this post!!!
