Foreword


Hi Friends and soundtrack fans all over the world !

After my Blog "A day for all Nights" (http://adayforallnights.blogspot.fr/), "Film Music Composers" is my second blog cinema.

Through this new blog, I will try to celebrate the work and the memory of the great films composers of the golden / silver age of Hollywood (Miklos Rozsa, Bernard Herrmann, Dimitri Tiomkin, Bronislaw Kaper, Alfred Newman, Hugo Friedhofer... Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, John Williams, Basil Poledouris, Lalo Schiffrin, Jerry Fiedlding...) , and European composers (Maurice Jarre, Georges Delerue, John Barry, Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Mario Nascimbene, John Scott, Richard Rodney Bennett, John Addison, Roy Budd, Ron Goodwin, Rolf Wilhem...) and many others.

I will add some original articles (rare interviews / pictures and information which could be of some interest) which were never or no more available.

I do hope you will enjoy the blog and I would be very happy to hear from you soon.

Warmest regards.

Eric.

P.S. : Of course, if you wish to cooperate to the blog, pIease don’t hesitate…

Exclusive Interview of Michael J. Lewis – « THEATRE of BLOOD » (1973) / UK Blu Ray Special Edition - 2014


 
 
A special new edition of the Douglas Hickox’s cult horror film drama « Theatre of Blood » (1973) is now  available. This is a complete restored version of the movie from a new 35mm interpositive and a restored mono optical soundtrack negative produced by MGM. The result is magnificent !!!

 

A unconventional classic « horror movie » 

In 1972, United Artists and the producers John Kohn and Stanley Mann choose Douglas Hickox (1929 / 1988- « Sitting Target » (1972) « Brannigan » (1975) and « Zulu Dawn » (1979)…) to direct the movie Theatre of Blood. The team production was joined by two executive producers Gustave Berne and Sam Jaffe. 

The cast team was very impressive : « Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Robert Morley, Diana Dors, Madeline Smith, Milo O’Shea, Eric Sykes… » The original screenplay was written by Anthony Greville-Bell (« Perfect Friday » (1970)) based on an idea by John Kohn and Stanley Mann. 

I would not tell you the story because I prefer to keep the mystery intact for those who have never seen this moving film. I would only say that « Theatre of Blood » is a very special entertainement...
 

Main Theme from "THEATRE of BLOOD"
 

A composer to hire ! 

After his brillant score for « The Madwoman of Chaillot » (Bryan Forbes (1969)), the producers of « Theatre of Blood » offered to Michael J. Lewis the opportunity to compose the music of the movie. Once again, the great musician showed another face of his talent by writting two beautifull melodies : « the main title » (main theme of the movie) and « Edwina’s theme (Diana Rigg’s character) ». But above all, he succeeded in merging his romantic music and the cruelty of the story in a very fine ability and a great sense of humor. For me, it is a great score and brought the evidence that he is one of the greatest film composers of his generation, like Jerry Goldmsith, John Williams …!  

The collaboration between Lewis and Hickox worked so marvelously that they decided to work together again on a TV film adaptation of the Arthur Conan Doyles’ novel « The Hound of the Baskervilles » in 1983.

 
Michael J. Lewis


A special interview of the Maestro
 

In addition to the bonus (interviews, short documentary, trailer, collector’s booklet….) this special blu ray edition  also includes an outstanding interview by Michael J. Lewis : « A harmony for horror ». With a lot of enthusiam and witty, the Welsh composer remembered his collaboration with the director Douglas Hickox and the high class actress Diana Rigg. But, above all, there is a great moment of emotion when he plays at the piano the « main title » and the « Edwina’s theme ».
 

We are very grateful to « Arrow Video » and « High Rising Production » for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a very fine and rare moment of pure pleasure.

 
"THEATRE of BLOOD" (Trailer)
 
 
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A new short film by the Director – Composer Michael J. Lewis
 

Some months ago, the composer was kind enough to send me the link of one of his last short movie « Great Storms of Aberystwyth » available on YouTube.
 

Please find hereunder the references of this link which, I hope, you will also enjoy :
 


« A Spectacular Storm at my Town in Wales »

(Great Storms of Aberystwyth – Michael J. Lewis).

 


 
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If you are interested in knowwing more about « Theatre of Blood », please visit the following sites :
 

The Composer Michael J. Lewis : 
 

Official Web sites of Michael J. Lewis :


 


« Theatre of Blood » - The Film Score by Michael J. LEWIS :
 

a)   Promotional CD Album of the original Score of « Theatre of Blood » by Michael J. Lewis, (24 tracks – Stereo - Total CD Time : 54.33 minutes) ;

Link :
http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.fr/2010/12/michael-j-lewis-theatre-of-blood.html).




b)  CD Album of the original Score of « Theatre of Blood » by Michael J. Lewis, (15 tracks – Stereo- Total CD Time : 53.14 minutes) ; La-La Land Records ; LLLCD 1136, 2010, Burbank, USA ;

Links :
 
 


c)   Rerecording version (5 tracks) : Double CD Album of « Orchestral Film Music of Michael J. Lewis – The first twenty five Years (1969/1994) » by Michael J. Lewis with the Rubdfunkorchester Berlin and the Los Angeles Ensemble ; Pen Pinas Production, N° PD 951, 1995, USA ;

Link :


 

« Theatre of Blood » - The Movie  by Douglas Hickox (1973) :














« Theatre of Blood » - The Blu Ray UK Special Edition : 

« Theatre of Blood » by Douglas Hickox, 1973 / 2014, Arrow Video , Blu Ray Zone B, Ref FC0927, Wide Screen Edition, Mono Sound, Pal, 1.66.1 / (16-9), 104 minutes, English Language and English Substitles, 2014, UK. 

Links :






Producers of the special features (Blu Ray Special UK Edition)
http://highrisingproductions.com/home.html


Michael J Lewis – “CHISOS”, a new movie for 2013.

 The very talented and prolific film music composer of “Sphinx” (1981) ; “The Passage” (1979) ; “The Medusa Touch” (1978) ; “Theatre of Blood” (1973) ; Julius Caesar” (1970) and many other magnificent scores, needs our help.

Please read the following announcement to make his dream a reality.


Michael J. Lewis’ announcement :
“I ask your support directly by making a donation and indirectly by passing this on to as many people as you know. I will be most grateful for your help.
Research shows that you contact people 7 times before they react – if they are going to react at all. This is a huge mountain to climb – hope you can help me take one step towards the top. This is really important to me. Please blog away and spread the word to as many specialty shops as you can. Anything you like to get my movie into production. Thank you.
I invite you to view my campaign for CHISOS, a 12.5 minute live action short film, for which I have written the script and the music. The aim is to create a movie of excellence for exhibition at International Film Festivals in the 2013/2014 season, including the Academy live action short film category. If you are in a position to help, that would be wonderful. If you can't afford to donate, I totally understand. But there are other ways you can help! Spread the word about the project. Do you know anyone who might be able to donate? Please tell them about it and post the link to the campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and any other social network you are on.

All the information you need to know is on Indiegogo. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/chisos/x/2420407

Please help make this project happen. ”

Michael J Lewis

For more details, see the links :

Maurice Jarre – Book - Discography / « MAURICE JARRE - Discographie vinyle illustrée » by Jacques Hiver (2011)



The aim of this new topic is to celebrate a great composer Maurice Jarre and at the same time introduce to you a very good friend of mine, Jacques Hiver.

Jacques Hiver met Jarre for the first time when he was 14 years old and since that time he became a very good close friend of one of the most French prolific and versatile film music composer.

Jacques is a playwright and a scriptwriter (plays for the stage, documentaries for radio and TV since 1981). He has produced several albums of Maurice Jarre. He is Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters.
In 2005, he made some researches for a book which would cover the complete discography (1954 to 2005) of Jarre. Many people brought their friendly cooperation to this book (please refer to the list).The first edition was released in May 2005 with the personal approval of the composer.

Jarre was so touched and impressed by Jacques’ work that he thanked him by a very sensitive dedication. Because of the very high cost of the book, only 10 issues were printed ! Bearing in mind that many fans could not get the book, Jacques released a second edition in 2011 available on “blurb” website (see the link) : “MAURICE JARRE - Discographie vinyle illustrée”. It contains the covers of the LPs discography (1954 to 1991) he could find at the time (covers and pictures in color and black & white : 116 pages) ! Of course, Jacques does not pretend to have included all the covers and he is very eager to get new ones.




Also, the book includes two unreleased interviews of Jarre on his early years with Jean Vilar and the TNP (Théâtre National Populaire) and his appointment as composer for “Lawrence of Arabia”. These interviews were first written for an autobiography of the composer by Jacques Hiver with the help of Christine Authier (Mars 2002). This book is only available in French but if you are familiar with the works of the great legendary composer of “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago”, you would not need any translater because the text is very short and understandable easily. It is a great work and a friendly tribute to the composer.

In addition to the above books, Jacques Hiver intends to release two new books. The first will be a revised version of the above one and the second will contain the complete musicography (theatre, concert works, movies and television). Later, There will be a third book that will refer to the latest issues such as CDs, laserdisc, DVD and Blu Ray.

With the friendly permission of Jacques, I have added a text he wrote for the album “Maurice Jarre, Musiques inédites du cinéma français” (Disques Cinémusique, 2011) in which he pointed out this great admiration for his favorite composer and friend.

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I met Maurice Jarre for the first time in 1985. Steps from Montmartre. Rue Camille Tahan in Paris. At Mr Leroy’s Home, the copyist of Maurice Jarre’s orchestra sheets. I was 14 years old. Maurice ? He was 34. A lucky coincidence since the son of Mr Leroy was a school friend. At this time, I went regularly to the TNP (Théâtre National Populaire). And I very soon loved his musical scores, which were so surprisingly atypical. Thanks to director Jean Vilar and a group of brilliant young actors (Philippe Noiret, Maria Casarès, Georges Wilson, Daniel Sorano, Jeanne Moreau…), lighting by Saveron and colorful costumes by Gischia, this musical creation offered the idea and perfect equation for an unmatched theatre at Chaillot Theatre (Paris) and Avignon (South East of France).

Since then, I have never ceased following his music with an undisguised fondness. Catching up with them riding the airwaves, or finding them sleeping in the shelves of private and state archives. Systematically buying them when engraved on vinyl grooves and later on compact discs. “Call me Maurice !” he asked me when, too shy, I dared to call him only “Sir”. It was 1997 and I had to produce, with the friendly participation of Melly and Paul Puaux (guardian angels of the “Memory Vilar” in the Maison Jean Vilar, Avignon) and the courageous participation of the Milan Music publisher, his complete works for the TNP. A second CD box “Les Grandes Heures du TNP” would follow. Finally, an American Label specialized in film music released his “Concert Works” after they were – not so surprisingly – rejected in France. Then Maurice commented, parodying the Yankee accent with humor and finesse : “It’s the so delicious exception culturelle française ! Ah, ah !” We had a good laugh.

Today, as Maurice has gone to join David Lean and Jean Vilar, some crazy music lovers – like Clément Fontaine and yours truly – to not want to see falling into oblivion the first creations of one of the brightest stars that ever existed in the film music constellation, in and outside Hollywood. Rediscovering, thanks to Disques Cinémusique and Robert Lafond, the world of this remarkable man, is walking around the ponds of Ville d’Avray with hardy Kruger and Patricia Gozzi on a winter Sunday, in glorious black and white. With, caressing our ears, the musical touch of Maurice Jarre. Poetic and sublime.

Jacques Hiver, 2011.




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People that cooperate to the book :

Maurice Jarre

Melly & Paul Puaux
(Association pour une Fondation Jean Vilar)

Gilles Devincre
(Bibliothèque Nationale de France / Département de l’Audiovisuel)

Madame Marie Adès

Eric Farrant

Gilles De La Fournière

Serge et Danièle Champenier

Adilson José De Aquino (São-Paulo)

Wolfgang Jahn (Italian Soundtrack)

Tomomichi (Tokyo)

Institut Nationale de l’Audiovisuel

Prelight Films

Jean-Michel Mart

Thérèse Le Prat


For those interested in Jarre’s works, please refer to :

l Websites :

The Book : « MAURICE JARRE - Discographie vinyle illustrée » :

Jaques Hiver Websites :




l Music :

Maurice Jarre, Musiques inédites du cinéma français” (Disques Cinémusique, 2011)

Maurice Jarre: Concert Works (1951-1961)

Musiques de scène du T. N. P. ((Théâtre National Populaire).
Réf. Milan Music : 46831-2 (Coffret 3 CD). 46832-2 (Album simple).




Happy New Year !



Happy New Year !

My best wishes to all people that were kind enough to visit my new blog. I hope they have appreciated my efforts and selection of movies. As you know, your comments would be most welcome.

Especially, I want to thank all readers from these countries with more 800 visitors ! :

France
United States
United-Kingdom
Ireland
Italia
Russia
Germany
Netherlands
Switzerland
Australia
Colombia
Spain
Canada
Italia
Portugal
Poland


Hope to hear from you next year…

Warmest regards to all.

NB : My appreciation for his friendly help and support to Mr Alan Hamer, the European Representative of the Miklós Rózsa Society

Miklos Rozsa : Memories of The Angers Film Festival – France (1980)




After my topic on the “Quo Vadis” recording, I would like to celebrate an outstanding event : The concert conducted in FRANCE by Miklos Rozsa at the third Angers Film Festival.

Before, I wish to thank Alan Hamer of the MRS for his very kind support. 





In March, 1980, Alain Lacombe and the town of Angers (FRANCE) invited Dr Miklos Rozsa, as guest of honor, to give a concert on the occasion of their annual film Festival. The legendary composer was 73 and it was his only concerts in FRANCE since the ones he gave with Arthur Honneger in the thirties. For the opening of the Festival, a master class with the composer was organized after a showing of “Spellbound” directed by Sir Alfred Hitchcock (1945). During all the time he spent in Angers, the very nice gentleman composer answered to all questions from journalists or single fans. All friends who were there confirmed that Dr Rozsa was an elegant man and spoke a good French with a very charming accent.




The French Historian Film Music and Journalist, Alain Lacombe was the special artistic adviser of this festival. Some months before the concerts, Mr Lacombe had organized several programs on one of the most important radio channel with Dr Rozsa (“25 Notes par Seconde” (September and November 1976) and “La Dernière Image” (June 1978)) and a TV interview (1980) with Dr Rozsa to promote his score : “Time after Time” (1979). Also, Mr. Lacombe wrote several books devoted to the film music and composers (“La Musique du Film” (1979), “Des Compositeurs pour l’Image”(1982), “Hollywood Rapsody” (1983) and “Les Musiques du Cinéma Français” (1995)). 






For the Angers concerts, Dr Rozsa got the assistance of the talented piano player, Eric Parkin and of conductor’s, Marc Soustrot. Alike Jascha Heifetz, Parkin had already recorded several Rozsa’s concertos, and among them, the score of Alain Resnais’s movie “Providence” (1977) of which LA VALSE CRÉPUSCULAIRE was the peak.






Furthermore, a little documentary was shot by the local French TV but could never be shown because of an unfortunate strike from the French TV technicians. I do hope that one day, we could have the opportunity to watch Dr Rozsa and the “Orchestre Philharmonique des Pays de Loire”.


For those who couldn’t attend, here are the details of the of the two concerts (March the 1st and the 2nd, 1980) :


Conductors : Dr Mikos Rozsa and Marc Soustrot
Solist : Eric Parkin
Orchestra : Orchestre Philharmonique des Pays de Loire

ANGERS CONCERT 

Overture to a Symphony Concert, Opus 26
Notturno Ungherese, Opus 28
Concerto for Piano, Opus 31
Ben-Hur
(Prelude, The Galley Slaves, Love Theme and Parade of the Charioteers)
Double Indemnity (Overture)
The Naked City (Pursuit and Epilogue)
Providence (Valse Crépusculaire)
Spellbound (Concerto)
Time after Time (Finale)


For reference, please find hereunder some documentation about the Angers Festival Program :








I hope that some of you will spare a few minutes to comment this new topic in a positive way, of course ! I can understand French and English languages. Don’t be shy / Ne soyez pas timide…