The Swimmer was one of my very first soundtrack LPs. Having not seen the film, I had no idea what to expect. No surprise, I was wowed. And after all these years, I think it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
So a big gentle reminder, take another listen to The Swimmer in these isolated times.
The Swimmer was one of my very first soundtrack LPs. Having not seen the film, I had no idea what to expect. No surprise, I was wowed. And after all these years, I think it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
So a big gentle reminder, take another listen to The Swimmer in these isolated times.
FWIW I’d strongly recommend reading John Cheever’s short story, too, which you can find online. Makes a nice companion piece to an album listen.
The Swimmer was one of my very first soundtrack LPs. Having not seen the film, I had no idea what to expect. No surprise, I was wowed. And after all these years, I think it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
So a big gentle reminder, take another listen to The Swimmer in these isolated times.
Had to chime in. Absolutely dote on The Swimmer soundtrack. It’s on my Thor list of the 144 saved (oh, sorry, that’s 144 thousand – my bad!)
The whole score is stupendous but the main theme is simply breathtaking in its transcendent wistfulness.
Hamlisch tugs at the heartstrings without resorting for a moment to maudlin sentimentality – such longing, desire and melancholic reflection perfectly encapsulated in those few minutes.
The Swimmer was one of my very first soundtrack LPs. Having not seen the film, I had no idea what to expect. No surprise, I was wowed. And after all these years, I think it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
So a big gentle reminder, take another listen to The Swimmer in these isolated times.
I concur wholeheartedly! (except you did have to spoil it with using the verb wow!) The Swimmer is my most played soundtrack. I never tire of listening to it. It's like sugar on my strawberries!
Hamlisch's score fits the movie sublimely and reaches an operatic peak at the end. It is also perfect as a stand alone album, and to think this was his first soundtrack and imho he scored a 10 first time!
The Swimmer was one of my very first soundtrack LPs. Having not seen the film, I had no idea what to expect. No surprise, I was wowed. And after all these years, I think it is one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
So a big gentle reminder, take another listen to The Swimmer in these isolated times.
Had to chime in. Absolutely dote on The Swimmer soundtrack. It’s on my Thor list of the 144 saved (oh, sorry, that’s 144 thousand – my bad!)
The whole score is stupendous but the main theme is simply breathtaking in its transcendent wistfulness.
Hamlisch tugs at the heartstrings without resorting for a moment to maudlin sentimentality – such longing, desire and melancholic reflection perfectly encapsulated in those few minutes.
A genuine masterpiece!
Thankyou. You articulated far better than I ever could how this score makes me feel.
Thank you for the compliment! But thanks are due above all to Hamlisch for sharing his divinely-inspired gifts with us – and, more personally, for validating my unwavering faith in the power of film music!
Hey Henry, cool that you keep exploring other composers. I admit I'm not to familiar with his body of work, I'll need to check out his music. I really need to explore other composers myself. I know I need to seek out a lot more Rachel Portman!
Hey Henry, cool that you keep exploring other composers. I admit I'm not to familiar with his body of work, I'll need to check out his music. I really need to explore other composers myself. I know I need to seek out a lot more Rachel Portman!
Hi solium! Yeah, I'm having a great time exploring other composers, Mancini, Hamlisch and Poledouris so far. Btw, when this pandemic is over we should have some beers my friend!
Listening to D.A.R.Y.L. at the moment thanks to this thread. It is another divine Hamlisch score. He was effortlessly able to conjure up a melody at any time that would sound beautifully dreamy and melancholic. Track 18 and 19 are reminiscent of the finale of The Swimmer which can only be good. Highly recommended.
I've been listening to THE SPY WHO LOVED ME all day and I love it! Hamlisch received the best score AND song Oscar nominations for THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, the only person to receive both for one Bond film!
"Ice Castles" is my favorite, but only as heard in the film. The album omits far too much, including most of the dramatic/sensitive cues and almost every variation of the wonderful love theme. Hamlisch's excellent cue that underscores the film's central tragic scene is also omitted. I believe this will become a more highly regarded score if it's ever expanded.
With that said, here's a suite somebody made of most of the best cues that did make the album (not heard in this suite is the love theme played in full - this suite mostly focuses on the b-theme that represents the protagonist and her father):
Also on the album (but not on YouTube) is the score's finale cue, which is a wonderful variation of the love theme. But other than that, all of my favorite cues remain unreleased.
