Thursday, June 30, 2011

Band Of Brothers Movie Suite

Band of Brothers Suites I/II
Music by Michael Kamen

This 2001 HBO mini-series was scored by Michael Kamen, a composer well known for his work on Highlander and other respected scores. The enormous amount of music he wrote for this project spans orchestral cues, choral cues as well as title themes that carry the weight of this production. Due to this, we are fortunate to have two distinctive suites for your enjoyment. The first movie suite only slightly reminds us of other War Picture suites with a full orchestra and strong military themes rushing toward a quick conclusion. The timing for this suite is 17:41. Much different than the usual War Picture Suite, the second movie suite is a solemn yet lush orchestral arrangement mixed with a touch of voices at the beginning and ending. It is quite beautiful and very touching to hear. The timing for this suite is 22:02.  Although titled Part I and Part II, they are separate works of pleasure that complement one another. These should keep you busy for some time, but as always, I hope you enjoy them.  -MJ

BAND OF BROTHERS SUITE PART I
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BAND OF BROTHERS SUITE PART II
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Battle Of Britain Movie Suite

Battle of Britain Suite
Music by Ron Goodwin
Music also by Sir William Walton

This high flying motion picture from 1968 is filled with marches, fanfares and constantly building cues that just can't be missed.  The score was originally penned by Sir William Walton, but the studio dropped his score in favor of Ron Goodwin's more upbeat version only retaining the main theme and a battle sequence.  Fortunately, Mr. Goodwin was able to merge the music admirably, offering us a movie suite that delivers a stirring performance and heroic sound that is unmatched.  With a timing of 25:01 this may be my favorite War Picture Suite.  I know you'll enjoy this one!  -MJ

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Dirty Dozen, The Movie Suite

The Dirty Dozen Suite
Music by Frank De Vol

Distinctively different from any of the other War Picture Suites, there is a strained note of seriousness in this music that can't be ignored as the opening drums mark the beginning of this movie suite from 1967. Utilizing plenty of percussion thoughout, we are never able to forget that this is the music of a war picture, even when things lighten up for a a few cues, when we hear the familiar tune, "In The Army Now", as it weaves in and out of the suite. About half way through the drums return to signal the final phase of the suite when we are reminded that the results of war are never quite as we hope.  With a timing of 25:24, this passes by before you even realize it. Hope you enjoy!  -MJ

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Great Escape, The Suite

Great Escape, The Suite
Music by Elmer Bernstein

Talk about well-known!  The march from this 1963 movie suite helped define exactly what the music from a War picture should sound like.  No doubt, you will probably recognize the march instantly, but listen to the entire suite so you can enjoy the different versions as Mr. Bernstein teases us with bits and pieces of the march throughout the suite. Taking us along with the starts and stops of escaping WWII prisoners of war, there is an ever increasing level of tension that concludes with the final installment of the march.  With a timing of 33:27, this is longer than expected, but well worth the time. I hope you enjoy.  MJ

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/az5ppvam33h16uy/GreatEscape%2CTheSuite.zip

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Friday, June 24, 2011

Guns of Navarone, The Movie Suite

The Guns of Navarone Suite
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin

In keeping with our War Picture genre theme, we have a movie suite from 1961 that takes us to the isles of Greece to witness the destruction of an enemy stronghold.  Mr. Tiomkin who is best known for his scores for High Noon, The Alamo and It's A Wonderful Life, approached the Oscar-nominated music for Guns of Navarone more like a tone poem; the different themes winding in and out of the fabric of the movie suite. From the expected drums of any war picture to the lyrical Greek sounding Yassua, he managed to take us, his listeners on a magical tour that still holds up well after all these years.  With a timing of 29:11, this suite is leisurely but delivers on a grand scale. I hope you enjoy!  -MJ

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Kelly's Heroes Movie Suite

Kelly's Heroes Suite
Music by Lalo Schifrin
Without a doubt, when this movie was released in 1970, it was apparent to everyone that we were watching an offbeat Vietnam movie that was set during WWII.  Huh?  Well, this movie suite is certainly a product of the late 60's and early 70's. We have drums. We have a short "pop" cue. When the main theme kicks in, a chorus of whistling opens up before we hear the drums that remind us this is a War Picture after all. The remainder of the suite visits some tense themes and a stirring march before ending with another round of whistlers.  This is our first visit by Mr. Schifrin, and it is all in good fun. Certainly not an oscar nomination here, but with a timing of 19:42, you'll probably enjoy this little gem for what it is.  -MJ

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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MacArthur Movie Suite

MacArthur Movie Suite
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

It may seem like Jerry Goldsmith was the go-to composer for the War Picture genre. It also may be that his work is easier to get access to since he was so well liked. When performed today, the highlights of this motion picture score is often played hand in hand with the Patton score because of the similarity of the theme, but this music is much different than the Patton music in so many ways.  Starting with the expected drums, we quickly experience the horns of the main theme, known as the MacArthur march that infrequently winds in and out of the suite to our delight. Early on we experience a sense of foreboding, but it is exuberantly replaced with more percussion and horns to carry us towards the fitting conclusion. With a timing of 18:53 we present to you the MacArthur movie suite in it's entirety. I hope you enjoy it.  -MJ

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Patton Movie Suite

Patton Suite
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

Okay, we should say this at the outset; Jerry Goldsmith did himself proud with this motion picture score.  With the signature, fading trumpet fanfare that starts and ends this movie suite we know instantly that this is serious music.  The movie was nominated for 10 Oscars in 1971, winning 7, but not for Best Musical Score.  We will not debate this omission, but instead we present to you a movie suite that is arguably one of Mr. Goldsmith's best works.  With a timing of 19:57, I know that you'll enjoy this one alot.  -MJ

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Von Ryan's Express Movie Suite

Von Ryan's Express Suite
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

Starting out just as you would expect a movie suite from a WWII war picture, we are quickly taken down roads less trodden by most composers of this genre.  Although underlying with seriousness, Mr. Goldsmith had fun with this music; using a lighter hand, yet having all the prerequisites such as plenty of percussion, flutes and blaring horns that we always seem to find in this style of music.  With a timing of only 15:37, this is over way to quickly. Fitting in with our current theme, I hope you'll enjoy this one.  -MJ

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

We Were Soldiers Movie Suite

We Were Soldiers Suite
Music by Nick Glennie-Smith

This movie suite comes to us from a motion picture that has a much different attitude than the earlier glorious War pictures from the 60's, 70's, or 80's. This music has the requisite drums and stirring strings that tell a longing story of great loss and the horrible choices of war.  In his first visit to Movie Suites, Mr. Glennie-Smith carries us along on this solemn journey, yet instills us to look for hope as life goes on. With a timing of 28:04, you may want to enjoy this one with others.  -MJ

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Where Eagles Dare Movie Suite

Where Eagles Dare Suite
Music by Ron Goodwin

Made near the middle of Hollywood's thirty year run with glorious WWII motion pictures, we have a movie suite from a 1968 classic that has all the requisite elements: plenty of percussion, horns, flutes and the corresponding tension builders of repetitious crescendos.  Don't let all that turn you away because this music is filled with a main theme that is presented in unique ways that move the music along at a quick pace that grows on you with multiple samples.  Is it too repetitious? You decide. With a timing of 21:58, this is our first movie suite from Ron Goodwin and it is worth a listen. I hope you enjoy.  -MJ

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