John Scott: Antony & Cleopatra (1972) / London Philharmonic Orchestra
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2020
- ABOUT THE SCORE: Having only been working as a composer for five or six years professionally at the time (and still moonlighting as a session player on the London music scene concurrently), John Scott had the fortune of being commissioned by Charlton Heston to score his 1972 adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy, 'Antony and Cleopatra'. With mostly just b-rate horror films to his name at the time, the film's grand canvas allowed Scott to pen not only one of his greatest scores to date but also, perhaps, one of the most sumptuous, beautiful compositions in the pantheon of orchestral music. The resultant work, written in a mere 3 weeks to replace a previous composer's unused score, contains not only one of the most beautiful love themes ever crafted but also a wealth of colorful, archaic scoring that effortlessly transports the listener back to the days of the Roman empire.
Armed with 75 members of the London Philharmonic and a modest 16-voice choir, the composer provides the score with a number of recurring motifs for different facets of the story. At the outset of the suite (the main title cue) one is introduced to the blossoming, unfolding central love theme, explored in an ever-building and heraldic fashion with sweeping strings and high brass counterpoint taking it to a breathtaking coda. Just when you think Scott can't possibly dial up the drama any further we are introduced at 3:38 to Cleopatra's theme with choir and full orchestra - as grand an entrance for a theme as one can imagine. Variations on these two principal identities are abundant (and the love theme closes the suite with a lengthy, stunning rendition that takes the melody to its most dramatic heights), but other themes are present also: at 5:50 an incessant brass fanfare of devious intent is introduced for the character Pompey, to be heard again often in the full score (sometime in counterpoint with other themes); at 13:15 we're introduced to an exotic, luxuriant bacchanal that adds some requisite color and pageantry to the score's palette, and later we hear brassy battle music and a few encounters with ear-shattering dissonance as tragedy strikes in the film's final reel. It's the coupling of the love theme and cleopatra's melody that will stick indefinitely with the listener however, and few composers can claim such a feat as that which Scott managed here. This is music, both as dramaturgy and craft, of the highest melodic significance. Scott would later pen more technically-excellent music elsewhere in his lengthy career, but rarely has the opportunity to create music of such towering, radiant beauty been allotted to him.
Recorded at the now-defunct CTS Studios in London in 1972, the score has a reverb-heavy wetness often characterized by recordings at this venue, further enhancing the score's lush sound.
The painting is Lawrence Alma-Tadema's "The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra" (1884) and felt preferable to the various (not-so-great) pieces of key art made for the film at the time of its release.
Gorgeous score. Best thing about the movie making it feel much bigger than it was. Made a million dollar film feel so much larger
I would like to add my voice to those who feel that Scott's magnificent score has echoes of Ennio Morricone and Miklos Rozsa. Truly an epic soundtrack.
Stunning. How could I have not heard about this score before.
I hope you will explore more of John Scott's music, uploaded on this channel. I felt the same way when I discovered his music as well. Better late than never my friend - !
Discover the book Paolo de Ruggiero wrote : "Mark Antony"
What an incredible piece of music. I have listened to it countless times without getting tired of it. Thank you for uploading
This has got to be one of the greatest film scores ever. But it can also stand alone as a superb piece of music. What a wonderful composer. I simply can't understand why he isn't better known because he certainly deserves to be. Thank you so much for uploading this.
I adore John Scott's music and have done so ever since I first heard it in, I think The Shooting Party. His soundtrack compositions are absolutely superb, with a rich haunting quality to them.. I have always wondered why he and his marvelous work are not better known ; they certainly deserve far more acclaim than they appear to have received over the years. Speaking to the comment about the score for El Cid it is one of my favorites of all time, composed by the great Miklos Rozsa.. Comparing it to this Scott score is about the highest compliment I can give.. Anyone out there who truly loves beautiful, emotional, and atmospheric orchestral film scores, especially for period pieces, check out John Scott's catalogue. I guarantee you won't regret it.
Such a beautiful piece especially the barge score at 14:42
This music helps my brain.
Dramatic, passionate and majestic like Cleopatra herself !
John Scott a signé une partition à la fois épique, intense et grandiose digne des plus belles pages destinées à cette époque de l'antiquité. Superbe interprétation.
One of my favourite scores ever! So lush and exotic. Wonderfully dramatic and archaic sounding. Alongside El Cid's (1961) score and Conan the Barbarian's (1982) score, this has a tastefully timeless quality, effectively otherworldly and filled with the promise of thematic adventure.
Add KING OF KINGS to your wonderful list
@@josebaknb595 Just watched that wonderful film the other week. :D
And then right afterward, The Greatest Story Every Told. Was a good day!
Merry Christmas ^_^
You are so right! But please add Ben-Hur to your list!;)
@@Schiggstaaa Oh how I love the Biblical epics, esp TTC (1956) and BH (1959). 😊
An exceptional suite of John Scott's brilliant score. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, sir, for this wonderful and understandable explanation. We were really missing it because we were not born in that generation, a wonderful composer in the sense of the word and great musicians as well, it is enough honor that they are British too
6:48 the Best!!!
Can't agree more :)
👍❤️
❤
15:27
If you like that sumptuous string phrase, definitely check out his score to The Scarlet Tunic, also uploaded on my channel, the main theme is built on an extremely similar progression. It actually pops up in a few of his scores in the 90's!
@@bobbengan thank you man! Do you have more recommendations?
@@Schiggstaaa Some of his Cousteau scores have some phrases like this - see Lake Baikal and Madagascar, both of which also have suites on my channel, you might also like his short film score "The Gates of Freedom", also uploaded as well. Hell, just listen to all his music - there's such richness, musicality and inspiration on display consistently throughout his storied career. He really is a remarkable musician!
@@bobbengan I got you! John Scott is a underrated music genius! I have to thank you :) … but now I‘m a little bit curious: What‘s your favorite John Scott Score? (Let me tell you mine: Antony & Cleopatra !!!)
14:10