About the Soundtrack: Chandos, the U.K. distribution label of
Naxos, has released an exceptional collection of films scores from the great
Ralph Vaughan Williams. This 3 CD collection compiles an excellent assortment of film music from Williams' career including scores for
Scott of the Antarctic,
49th Parallel, a suite from
Coastal Command and more. Each individual disc is presented with an accompanying booklet that details the music and its background for each. I must say that I was impressed with the overall presentation of the lightweight packaging and the detailed information made available in each booklet.
What You Need to Know: This collection is a home run in my book. First, there's the accommodating packaging, which makes it easy to jump from one disc and booklet to the next. Second, the art design for the set is quite appealing; the style updated the look and feel of the movies without disregarding their retro origins. Last, and most importantly -- the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams shines brightly throughout each of the scores and suites presented in this release.
When you listen to the works of someone like Williams or a Gustav Holst, one can identify the inspirations that modern masters have drawn from these maestros. For instance, in Williams' Scott of the Antarctic, he does a masterful job of weaving in a leitmotif that helps the listener identify with the key subject matter of the film. He also wrote the music in a such an advanced manner that it's evident to anyone listening that he was a composer who was ahead of his time when it came to film music.
I would have to say that out of such a generous amount of material to choose from, my favorite selections are from 49th Parallel and the Coastal Command Suite. While the latter was a documentary film developed by the British during the war, it came across motivational without sounding false. In patriotic or propaganda films of the time (and I'm not saying this is a propaganda piece), there always seemed to be a delivery of over the top musical scores behind them which today makes the film reels appear comical. The music in Coastal Command did not lend itself to such a false, comedic direction. It's stout work!
The 49th Parallel is simply an indulging score and it's the type of musical experience that you can become absorbed in. I really enjoyed the thematic statements that Williams highlighted during the course of this film as it provided a grand contrast to the suspense of the underscore. As mentioned earlier, Williams definitely had a keen vision that was in tune with some of today's more accomplished film scores and the direction in 49th Parallel (and in Scott of the Antarctic) solidifies that claim.
In all, I recommend that you become engaged with this type of classic film music if you're serious about soundtracks. You will find out, as I have, that there is entire back story in this genre that demands our attention.
