OUR MOTHER'S HOUSE / THE 25TH HOUR

Label: FSMCD Vol.6 No.10
Date: 1967
Tracks: 26
Time: 58:49

Two original MGM albums - both from 1967, both by Georges Delerue - on one CD. OUR MOTHER'S HOUSE is moody drama from Jack Clayton with gorgeous music (31:18) by melody master Delerue. He scores for strings, woodwinds, piano. Gentle theme, solo flute are highlights. Though sinister moments play role, beauty takes frontseat. Main theme moves at nice pace, weaves about in lyrical manner. Some material made news in 1986 when similarities arose with Quincy Jones work on THE COLOR PURPLE. Delerue was there first. THE 25TH HOUR is WWII story with Anthony Quinn. Delerue melds music for Jews, Germans, Russians into haunting portrait of love and war. Unusual sound of cimbalom decorates orchestral texture. Delerue scores for full orchestra, anchors with haunting minor-key theme. Wordless male chorus adds darker layer. Somber, serious mood prevails. Neat device: cimbalom avoids straight quote of theme, plays arpeggio-like figures, cadenzas, various ornaments around actual melody. Brief (27:31) work remains one of Delerue's richest! Both soundtracks mastered from original stereo album masters in excellent condition. Customary for FSM, superb liner notes, attractive packaging add luster to production. Two top drawer scores from a music legend. Bullseye!