Nineteen and a half years later and I can't disagree with my younger self that the orchestra is too small on the album recording. Absolutely wonderful energy, just not enough people. The Kritzerland release did a fantastic job at taming a lot of shrillness of the recording and giving it some needed bass. The tasteful reverb applied is appreciated as well and helps partially mask the lack of musicians. I did not hesitate to toss the flawed Ryko version.
Nic Raine's recording for Tadlow is also quite nice. It's very well-performed and has high energy too. More music than I need from this score, though.
Honestly, I'd be hard pressed to choose only one of them to have in my collection. If I was forced, I'd probably keep the Kritzerland, because I imagine Waxman standing on the podium in his coke-bottle glasses conducting frantically when I listen to it and that brings me joy. I should listen to this score more often because I am quite keen of how Waxman was able to make this score so busy at times and yet not totally fatigue me with it.
