Yes, this is one of those cases where the energized live performance really does surpass the studio version. I was there in Milwaukee, and boy was it cold outside! This performance marked the debut of the cut version, somewhat to our dismay at the time. Better to seek out the live versions from Houston (under Previn) or Philadelphia (with Rozsa himself conducting the great Philadelphia Orchestra).
Actually I found that filmed version a little messy, almost sounding atonal at times. The oddly 'squashed' image doesn't aid enjoyment much either. Nor does the reticence of the post-performance interviewer to agree with Pennario that the concerto is 'effective', which would have been at least polite. He clearly doesn't like it, but why be so obvious?
I was just coming off a huge Bernard Herrmann jag (as many scores as I could buy, film score books and guides, biography, everything) when I first heard, REALLY HEARD the overture to Ben Hur. From there investigating the maestro's music was itself a blessing...I couldn't believe how many great scores Rozsa wrote. I still can't believe it...and that's not even counting his uniformly excellent concert music.
Desert Fury...folks it's a no-brainer, and we might not see this kind of thing for this film for awhile after this.
This morning I was indulging in some spending on amazon for some good trad. science fiction and then segued over to this thread (don't ask me for a connection, its buried somewhere in my subconscious!!) and decided to check out Desert Fury at Intrada, since it hails from the period around Jungle Book. I am impressed. So much so that I took the plunge and bought a copy of the score.
Also, what I find myself doing quite often is coming back to the Tadlow Sodom and Gomorrah. It is such a powerhouse performance and recording.
Oh, I agree about that youtube piano concerto clip. The sound is very 'off', very atonal. I checked out a non video clip and the sound was excellent.
Actually I found that filmed version a little messy, almost sounding atonal at times. The oddly 'squashed' image doesn't aid enjoyment much either. Nor does the reticence of the post-performance interviewer to agree with Pennario that the concerto is 'effective', which would have been at least polite. He clearly doesn't like it, but why be so obvious?
The video is what it is but we are very lucky to have it. It only surfaced only a few years ago, having come into the hands of the Rozsa Society through a close family member of Leonard Pennario. I'm not sure of the legality of making it available on YouTube but no one has sued me yet!
Actually I found that filmed version a little messy, almost sounding atonal at times. The oddly 'squashed' image doesn't aid enjoyment much either. Nor does the reticence of the post-performance interviewer to agree with Pennario that the concerto is 'effective', which would have been at least polite. He clearly doesn't like it, but why be so obvious?
The video is what it is but we are very lucky to have it. It only surfaced only a few years ago, having come into the hands of the Rozsa Society through a close family member of Leonard Pennario. I'm not sure of the legality of making it available on YouTube but no one has sued me yet!
Is it a distortion caused by the upload process or is it inherent to the actual recording? IIRC, the non video excerpt on youtube was the Pennario piece, just without the visuals and it sounded fine.
Is it a distortion caused by the upload process or is it inherent to the actual recording? IIRC, the non video excerpt on youtube was the Pennario piece, just without the visuals and it sounded fine.
If you're referring to this video, it's the LP version with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra:
This was also on CD, and has Janos Starker and the Munich Philharmonic on the cello concert, a seriously virtuosic album, not nearly well enough known nowadays:
Is it a distortion caused by the upload process or is it inherent to the actual recording? IIRC, the non video excerpt on youtube was the Pennario piece, just without the visuals and it sounded fine.
If you're referring to this video, it's the LP version with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra:
This was also on CD, and has Janos Starker and the Munich Philharmonic on the cello concert, a seriously virtuosic album, not nearly well enough known nowadays:
Incidentally, speaking of the old Pantheon album (PC and CC), there has been some interest in a reissue, but it seems that nobody can figure out who owns the rights!
Is it a distortion caused by the upload process or is it inherent to the actual recording? IIRC, the non video excerpt on youtube was the Pennario piece, just without the visuals and it sounded fine.
If you're referring to this video, it's the LP version with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra:
This was also on CD, and has Janos Starker and the Munich Philharmonic on the cello concert, a seriously virtuosic album, not nearly well enough known nowadays:
This is truly a fantastic piece, and I can't help but be happily impressed. It, like all of the maestro's concert and film music, is essential apparently. I'm so grateful to William and all for helping learn even more about this man's incredible output.
I love the autobiography. Lots of fun and great information too. I read a library copy years ago and have had my eyes out for a good condition used copy ever since...
I love the autobiography. Lots of fun and great information too. I read a library copy years ago and have had my eyes out for a good condition used copy ever since...
Yavar
It's tough! I had a friend from the University who had an extra, near mint copy (so obviously I lucked out in a BIG way).
All I can say is, it helped me appreciate this amazing maestro even more deeply. It also makes me really irritated there isn't even a half decent CD of that score available. It's criminal.
Welll, that's okay for now. I'll just break out Backround to Violence
Anyway, I asked him if there was any one movie or another that especially contributed to film score awareness in his younger days. Without hesitation, he responded "Rozsa stuff." I went into automatic pilot and responded with "Oh, like Lost Weekend, Ben-Hur, Spellbound...and even Naked City?" and it was just plain fun. And then he also mentioned "opera." And I had nothing to say to that!
