I love how the melody "ascends" and the bassy woodwind "descends"--captures the theme of duplicity and "things not appearing as they seem" in the show.
I was 10 when the series came out. I vaguely remember my mother glued to the set. It wasn't until I was aboard ship on a deployment in my twenties that they showed this series in the wardroom. I heard the theme as it was starting and was hooked right then and there. it brings a tingle down my spine each time I hear it. Phenomenal!
Menace and fear are very apt descriptions of this masterpiece. Claudius managed to survive because he was a physical misfit while brilliantly sizing up the vipers in his midst.
My 4 year old agrees, he always comes out and dances when a new episode starts and makes "ssssss" sound to show his unbridled enthusiasm for said snake.
I remember seeing "I, Claudius" in my mid-teens way back in 1976. The series was sensational, but the opening music seemed quite preposterous and melodramatic to me then, and yet, and yet, I secretly liked it. It had a certain piquancy. Hearing it now, I think it's great! Those opening notes are genuinely spine chilling.
This must be the greatest of all TV themes it is positively creepy, full of drama, of evil and intrigue. It's a wry melody, it's not pretty but it is spectacular. I also regard the serial as the greatest of all time too.
This is great, thank you for posting -- Wilfred Josephs (1927-1997) was trained to be a dentist, then pursued his love of composition as a vocation in later life.
I was 13 when this was first shown and I remember how the theme music really freaked me out - it was preparing me for what was to come. The best series I have ever seen bar none, to this day.
Timothy E - Yes, the 1970s version is fantastic; and all done without the aid of a large budget and CGI. Didn't know a new version was in the works. Thanks for the heads-up.
All of the stars aligned with "I, Claudius." As a result, I became a lifelong fan of Derek Jacobi (Claudius). The booming, stentorian voice of Brian Blessed (Augustus) could not be denied. Sian Phillips (Livia) was the complete personification of cold-blooded evil.
I haven't heard this for forty years - since I was 17!! I remember watching the series when it was first broadcast in 1976 and absolutely loving it. I always adored Wilfred Josephs' quirky, menacing theme tune. Many thanks for uploading.
Wilfred Josephs' TV themes are always worth a listen. I can recommend the three movement _The Great War_ theme, which accompanied a long series of 40-minute programmes that opened each week with the slow revelation of a devastating scene-a white, grotesquely positioned, soldier's skeleton, still in British Army uniform, has been photographed lying in the bottom of a trench, while Tommy's stand, smoking cigarettes, beside him. The theme itself was no less striking, especially the 3rd movement, and can be found on UA-cam, as can some of the composer's symphonies.
I am sure the actual Romans who lived in Italy. Did not live in shonky, badly lighted BBC sets. But in beautifully constructed and engineered Roman buildings by their skillful craftsmen of Rome. With good lighting since they will be getting the mediterranean sunlight not dull BBC studio lighting. They would be tanned from the Italian sun and not pasty white as shown in this show and they would be speaking Latin not English. However this shows brilliant scriptwriting and outstanding acting from brilliant British actors more than makes up for those shortcomings and brings the intrigue of ancient Rome's political class to life in probably the BBC's most brilliant tv series. A brilliant triumph of British television for sure. One for the ages.
love this - perfectly captures the intrigue of the time and barbaric activities, not least to say downright cruelty, superb drama by fantasic actors of the time
The series was before my time, I came across the theme tune when listening to a late 70s BBC theme tunes record, it was such a unique tune I would select it everytime along with the 80s Dr Who theme which at the time of the record's release was new and also I liked The Chinese Detective theme.
Superb theme. A pity the BBC could not remaster this series and release it on Blu Ray, along with the other classic, BBC's 1977 Dracula, starring the late Louis Jordan.
When I first heard this I KNEW then I was gonna love the show. .. man the first episode is so funny to me at the beginning.. I wish I was still in high school so we could play this in Orchestra class .
I used to have this song on an old cassette tape when I was little. It would scare the crap out of me when it came on because it came right after a quiet song. The horns blaring made me jump!
My favorite bit of this show was when they went into the Aztec Zone and someone got stuck on a rope swing above a pool of polystyrene crocodiles and Richard O'Brien had to lock them in after the 2 minute buzzer went off.
Many thanks for sharing! Can you tell us which recording this comes from? I know the Claudius theme was recorded for various record labels/conductors (ie. Harry Rabinowitz, etc).
@BibleJoker2Face Nudity in one scene, but the actor is shot from behind so you don't see anything. If you want quality drama watch I, Claudius. If you want porn go elsewhere.
I wish this showed the viper slithering like in the original series. Really made the message come across, it used to, but I think that the Establishment had it removed because it really shows how much like the Roman Empire and all of the murders and corruption mirrors modern politics globally.
This is my ring tone for my ex-wife. Ominous and creepy, yet intriguing.
I love how the melody "ascends" and the bassy woodwind "descends"--captures the theme of duplicity and "things not appearing as they seem" in the show.
I like to listen to this when I’m plotting to poison my relatives in order to secure my son’s position as Caesar or when working out on the treadmill.
You must be very popular at family gatherings! 😉😜🤪
I was 10 when the series came out. I vaguely remember my mother glued to the set. It wasn't until I was aboard ship on a deployment in my twenties that they showed this series in the wardroom. I heard the theme as it was starting and was hooked right then and there. it brings a tingle down my spine each time I hear it. Phenomenal!
Remember watching this in the 70s.
The music was unforgettable.
Sounded very menacing and a bit frightening as a kid.
Very atmospheric . . .
Menace and fear are very apt descriptions of this masterpiece. Claudius managed to survive because he was a physical misfit while brilliantly sizing up the vipers in his midst.
My Latin teacher made us watch this series in the mid 2000s, was pretty darn good, but needs more snake
me too! we had to write out the twisted family tree and everything! lol
My 4 year old agrees, he always comes out and dances when a new episode starts and makes "ssssss" sound to show his unbridled enthusiasm for said snake.
Magnum habes magistrum Latinum.
@@nzt4890 You have a big Latin teacher?
me too! we used to get so excited with the intro, honestly a bop
Apart from Doctor Who, perhaps the best show the BBC ever produced. :-)
It still retains that crown today.
I feel the same!
The 70s was by far the scariest decade in British television.
I remember seeing "I, Claudius" in my mid-teens way back in 1976. The series was sensational, but the opening music seemed quite preposterous and melodramatic to me then, and yet, and yet, I secretly liked it. It had a certain piquancy. Hearing it now, I think it's great! Those opening notes are genuinely spine chilling.
This must be the greatest of all TV themes it is positively creepy, full of drama, of evil and intrigue. It's a wry melody, it's not pretty but it is spectacular. I also regard the serial as the greatest of all time too.
"They say a snake bit her, and the snake died."
The horn theme perfectly captures the "grandeur of Rome," as they say.
YEEEEESSSSS!
Perfect description!!
Agreed. 100%. Just began watching this show for the first time. We love the theme.
This is great, thank you for posting -- Wilfred Josephs (1927-1997) was trained to be a dentist, then pursued his love of composition as a vocation in later life.
I was 13 when this was first shown and I remember how the theme music really freaked me out - it was preparing me for what was to come. The best series I have ever seen bar none, to this day.
This brings back so many memories . The thrill of hearing it. "Its on! Its on!"
You and me !
The slithering asp never gets tired.
This was Game of Thrones before Game of Thrones was a thing (?)
Before Game of Thrones and before Rome preceding *that*, there was this.
Difference is Rome was REAL and Game of Thrones is Fantasy.
Game of Thrones is 100% fantasy, Claudius really existed and Rome influences survive
until these days
Humberto Flores Game of Thrones is heavily based upon the events that occurred during the Wars of The Roses
@@fortunazee So?
I love this piece of music! I would never have have heard of Wilfred Josephs if it weren't for the PBS I Claudius series.
Okay, where's the snake?
Livia? espera un momento ... xD
Claw claw claudius
They said there would be a snake.
Yesss, still makes my skin crawl. It's something like threatening but whimsical but ??????. A masterpiece👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Just spent hours watching this amazing show, I can't believe I'd never heard of it.
Ingleses!
Siempre geniales en todas sus obras musicales para bronces y vientos!.
Son los mejores e insuperables!
VICTOR FABIAN VERA VILLALOBOS your Spanish is not far from larin
THE BEST old-roman tv series ever
I recently re-watched the entire series. it's definitely still brilliant. I hope the BBC/HBO adaptation will be just as good as this version.
Timothy E - Yes, the 1970s version is fantastic; and all done without the aid of a large budget and CGI. Didn't know a new version was in the works. Thanks for the heads-up.
All of the stars aligned with "I, Claudius." As a result, I became a lifelong fan of Derek Jacobi (Claudius). The booming, stentorian voice of Brian Blessed (Augustus) could not be denied. Sian Phillips (Livia) was the complete personification of cold-blooded evil.
A remake nooooooo
A millenia of the empire and you can count on two hands the number of emperors who died a natural death.
Not sure why this intro popped randomly into my head this morning, but here we are. Loved this series.
I haven't heard this for forty years - since I was 17!! I remember watching the series when it was first broadcast in 1976 and absolutely loving it. I always adored Wilfred Josephs' quirky, menacing theme tune. Many thanks for uploading.
One of the best series ever. Hail Claudius!
Wilfred Josephs' TV themes are always worth a listen. I can recommend the three movement _The Great War_ theme, which accompanied a long series of 40-minute programmes that opened each week with the slow revelation of a devastating scene-a white, grotesquely positioned, soldier's skeleton, still in British Army uniform, has been photographed lying in the bottom of a trench, while Tommy's stand, smoking cigarettes, beside him. The theme itself was no less striking, especially the 3rd movement, and can be found on UA-cam, as can some of the composer's symphonies.
saw it as a child when it was first one-been a hellenist ever since!
I am sure the actual Romans who lived in Italy. Did not live in shonky, badly lighted BBC sets. But in beautifully constructed and engineered Roman buildings by their skillful craftsmen of Rome. With good lighting since they will be getting the mediterranean sunlight not dull BBC studio lighting. They would be tanned from the Italian sun and not pasty white as shown in this show and they would be speaking Latin not English. However this shows brilliant scriptwriting and outstanding acting from brilliant British actors more than makes up for those shortcomings and brings the intrigue of ancient Rome's political class to life in probably the BBC's most brilliant tv series. A brilliant triumph of British television for sure. One for the ages.
Unforgettable
love this - perfectly captures the intrigue of the time and barbaric activities, not least to say downright cruelty, superb drama by fantasic actors of the time
Purely sinister! I remember watching with my mother when I was young too. I introduced my husband to it last year. What an amazing production.
Brilliant opening music & the snake a metaphor 4 the scheming charecters!,❤
Claudius theme! Wow!
The series was before my time, I came across the theme tune when listening to a late 70s BBC theme tunes record, it was such a unique tune I would select it everytime along with the 80s Dr Who theme which at the time of the record's release was new and also I liked The Chinese Detective theme.
Goose bumps!
I had nine when the series was aired in Colombia. Only remember listening the trumpets from my bed
Superb theme.
A pity the BBC could not remaster this series and release it on Blu Ray, along with the other classic, BBC's 1977 Dracula, starring the late Louis Jordan.
I always loved this composition.
My Favourite episodes are 'A touch of Murder' and 'A God of Colchester' .
fantastic music!!!
Igor Stravinsky might have been quite proud if he had written this. A truly gifted composer and orchestrator.
Awesome!!!
Beatiful composition
When I first heard this I KNEW then I was gonna love the show. .. man the first episode is so funny to me at the beginning.. I wish I was still in high school so we could play this in Orchestra class .
Do you like family killings, traisons and good plots? This is your series and not Game of Thrones
clochunator THANK YOU!
AMAZING!!!!!
One of the most memorable series of Masterpiece Theater.
Great theme. This recording is good, but is not the actual TV version.
"Let all the plots that lay in the mud hatch out"
Great job 👍
Great theme!
All most brings tears
I used to have this song on an old cassette tape when I was little. It would scare the crap out of me when it came on because it came right after a quiet song. The horns blaring made me jump!
Que buuuueeenaaa, cuanto he recordado esta música!!!!!!!!!
One of the best TV Program's of all T I M E
This version is for full orchestra. The original TV version didn't include strings and had more solo wind instruments (eg flute and bass clarinet).
And what sounded like a circular saw at the end, for some reason. Worked though.
@@ZanderNyrond ... which WAS a circular saw! but not on this version.
Awesomeness... grand sinistry
Si señor como a de ser!!
Es si no uno de los mejores soundtrack de la historia del cine. Le hace honores a la novela.
Magic
My favorite bit of this show was when they went into the Aztec Zone and someone got stuck on a rope swing above a pool of polystyrene crocodiles and Richard O'Brien had to lock them in after the 2 minute buzzer went off.
Fearful, and stuning theme, like the Emperor Claudius'himself!
tks f the posting "G7BF3M".
Thank you Mr burr for showing us this at bettendorf high school.
The orchestration is very reminiscent of Prokofiev's later Symphonies
It was tremendous series. I rewatched and saw Captain Picard talking about something not being politically correct.
Many thanks for sharing! Can you tell us which recording this comes from? I know the Claudius theme was recorded for various record labels/conductors (ie. Harry Rabinowitz, etc).
This is special though. What other BBC theme tunes packed this kind of punch?
IS THERE ANYONE IN ROME WHO HAVENT SLEPT WITH MA DOOOTAAAAH?!?
*hasn't
@bluejeckett I don't agree with you. "I Claudius'is one of the best TVseries i've seen in all my life. Best regards from a fan from the Netherlands
I, Claudius was also released on LaserDisc
Thanks. There is no better music to listen to when dreaming of imperialism.
I loved this show as a kid.
dat flute...
I dont only like the music -it is superb.
In the old rating ,I would have given this music 5 stars of 5.
This alongside In the Night Garden. Is the most epic thing Dereck Jacobi has ever done!! : )
original succession vibes
I'd say it comes a close second, the real Game of Thrones happened after Nero died in the year of the four emperors.
troll is good, troll is subtle, troll is successful =)
This isn't the original track used at the beginning of the BBC series.
This shit slappin in my whip
Robert Graves and the BBC brought me here.
Prokoviev 3 is heard here i think. 1st movement. But in its own right....quite stunning. For the greatest tv series of them all. No.. really!
This show inspired me to become an actor.
Cool, in which show can I see you?
I love this music. Where can i buy it??
+Blue Whovian thank you but it's imposible
+Blue Whovian could you please send me that MP3 file?
Please...🙏🏻
+Blue Whovian thanks anyway. I've just got it in mp3!
Moin Leude
Who composed this? It's superb.
Wilfred Josephs.
Paul F Tompkins' version brought me here
This the music of a cracked up mind, all of the mental illnesses are there. It's like a jigsaw with some of the pieces in the wrong place.
Patrick Stuart from Star Trek TNG was in this show. LOL
Yes, as Sejanus. He had it coming.
It was the historical Game of Thrones.
Sounds yummy to me.
What 's the title of this piece? It can't be just called "I Claudius theme tune."
I don't know man, I'm sure Oscar the Grouch was into some fucked up shit to end up like that...
@BibleJoker2Face Nudity in one scene, but the actor is shot from behind so you don't see anything.
If you want quality drama watch I, Claudius. If you want porn go elsewhere.
@BibleJoker2Face Well, tearing an unborn foetus out of the womb and eating it is hardly Sesame Street.
This won't hurt...we're gods.
@BibleJoker2Face no there is no nudity, if you want roman nudity just watch Caligula.
First minute is total genius. Gob smacking to be honest. The rest is filler
I Clavdivs?! Get your spelling right… and it’s O-livia, you say O-livia :)
I wish this showed the viper slithering like in the original series. Really made the message come across, it used to, but I think that the Establishment had it removed because it really shows how much like the Roman Empire and all of the murders and corruption mirrors modern politics globally.
Fuck this.
Terrible recording of this.