According to Mark Seals book "Leave The Gun, Take The Cannoli" ( page 347) Robert Evans and Paramount commissioned Henry Mancini to create a score. Coppola wanted Nino Rota. Rota was denied an Academy Award nomination because his "Love Theme" was previously used in the film "Fortunella" at a much faster tempo.
I'm uncertain whether to buy because this score, as an isolated listening experience, strikes me as an uninterrupted full play rather than a rotation of cherry-picked highlights.
For me this isn't one of Rota's best because you get that theme a lot in the movie - but it's still really good Rota, that's an offer that I can't refuse to buy. Many thanks for this title, it must have been a massive project. Well-done LLL guys.
I'm currently listening to this set for the second time today and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The remastering is revelatory and the selections and arrangement of the score presentation (Disc 1) is perfect. Disc 2 sounds amazing as well and contains some wonderful bonus tracks. This is a must own for any fan of the Godfather films and I am truly hoping that LLL and company will give the same treatment to Parts II and III. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding specific tracks, etc.
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit which contains excerpts from some organ works by Bach, or is it just a longer version of the previously released track? Also, do the liner notes mention why Rota's version didn't make it into the movie?
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit which contains excerpts from some organ works by Bach, or is it just a longer version of the previously released track? Also, do the liner notes mention why Rota's version didn't make it into the movie?
The piece contains elements of Bach’s Passacaglia & Fugue in C Minor as heard in the film, before it goes off and does its own thing (also heard in the film). So yes its there. As a pipe organ enthusiast I was happy it was there (its not an electronic substitute)
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit which contains excerpts from some organ works by Bach, or is it just a longer version of the previously released track? Also, do the liner notes mention why Rota's version didn't make it into the movie?
The piece contains elements of Bach’s Passacaglia & Fugue in C Minor as heard in the film, before it goes off and does its own thing (also heard in the film). So yes its there. As a pipe organ enthusiast I was happy it was there (its not an electronic substitute)
This particular version is quite different to the film version and contains bits from the Godfather theme. The end part is pretty much identical to the one on the original soundtrack album (CD 2).
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit...?
No, it's what was recorded for the picture. It's the full take on disc 1 while disc 2 only has the end of the take as heard on the OST.
Aha, then it's indeed the same version as appeared on that Nino Rota CD I mentioned in my previous post, just as I thought. Do you know why Rota's version was replaced for this scene, and do you have any info on the film version?
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit...?
No, it's what was recorded for the picture. It's the full take on disc 1 while disc 2 only has the end of the take as heard on the OST.
Aha, then it's indeed the same version as appeared on that Nino Rota CD I mentioned in my previous post, just as I thought. Do you know why Rota's version was replaced for this scene, and do you have any info on the film version?
The run time is different than the other CD…..and that CD was recorded in 1997, on a pipe organ that was built in 1988 about 16 years AFTER the film was made.
What about "The Baptism" (extended version), is it the film version/edit...?
No, it's what was recorded for the picture. It's the full take on disc 1 while disc 2 only has the end of the take as heard on the OST.
Aha, then it's indeed the same version as appeared on that Nino Rota CD I mentioned in my previous post, just as I thought. Do you know why Rota's version was replaced for this scene, and do you have any info on the film version?
The run time is different than the other CD…..and that CD was recorded in 1997, on a pipe organ that was built in 1988 about 16 years AFTER the film was made.
Sorry I didn't make myself clear, it's of course a different performance (and different organ) on that Rota organ CD but the music should be the same.
Wow, I just love this set. I think the "complete score" a _little_ repetitive (as I knew it would be), but I love having it, and that it sounds so damn good.
The sections that didn't make the movie are fascinating to me... the nearly completely unused "crime jazz" theme that's first heard in "Hollywood*", for example, is vintage Rota, but you can see why having it in the movie would have really changed the movie!
I cannot see "Christmas* / Prelude To Murder*" being in the movie either, but damn I love it.
And I love having this recording of "The Godfather Tarantella" (for my money, it's the "Cantina Band" piece of the Godfather movies)... what is it? It is a pre-record that was never used? What's in the film seems to be a live-recording that was done on set (and is excerpted on this set). At first I thought it miiiiiight have been the same recording that appeared on "The Godfather Family Wedding Album" LP that was released in 1972, but it sounds like a different performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVTnad2McD0
Also, I must admit that when I revisited this score I was surprised to find that Kay's theme isn't in it! It wasn't written until The Godfather II. I knew that the "Immigrant" theme wasn't until part II, but I sort of thought Kay's Theme was in I. It's a bit like how people are surprised to find that The Imperial March wasn't in the original Star Wars movie!
The sections that didn't make the movie are fascinating to me... the nearly completely unused "crime jazz" theme that's first heard in "Hollywood*", for example, is vintage Rota, but you can see why having it in the movie would have really changed the movie!
It IS indeed vintage Rota as this "crime jazz" theme heard in the track "Hollywood" had already been composed by him in 1968 for the Fellini episode TOBY DAMMIT of the anthology film HISTOIRES EXTRAORDINAIRES. Apparently he then recycled it 4 years later for THE GODFATHER. Here the TOBY DAMMIT theme:
Oh wow, I had no idea! That's hilarious. This piece will earn a place of honor on my forthcoming compilation album: "Whatever, F*** It -- Just Use The Same S*** Again: The Film Music Of Nino Rota."
But you know... the music is good, so I can deal wit it (also it's not actually in the movie, soooo...).
I would always freak out when Horner would get caught in a blatant reuse, but really a lot of Golden Age composers kind of recycled their own material, so I've learned to chill way out now that I'm in my 40s.
Still, the recent LLL release of Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas reminded me of this bizarre moment where Horner appears to reuse a motif from Commando / Clear And Present Danger RIGHT as you look at low angle shot of the Grinch's crotch as he sits on a miniature car.
I finally created an account after all the years looking on here. I got my CD the other day. This was a top 5 soundtrack for me of all time (right at #5). So this was beautiful.
Everything is great. 1 track is missing.
That track is "Everytime I Look In Your Eyes". It appears on the film just after Tom Hagen closes the door on Nazorine the baker to when Michael tells Kay "you like your lasagna".
Very very good OST. After listening to the music wedding music, it sounds weird, but I know it's correct. I guess I'm used to listening to it on mono in the movie or whatever and not used to it on stereo. Very nice though.
I can't wait for the godfather part II. That's my second favorite soundtrack ever (Vertigo is #1)
