AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (DELUXE EDITION)

Label: Varese Sarabande VCL 1104 1032
Date: 1965
Tracks: 21
Time = 61:35

Original soundtrack from 20th Century Fox production based on Irving Stone novel with Charlton Heston as artist Michelangelo, Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II. Alex North acknowledges title conflict, approaches music from both tortured and conflicting, moving and inspired idioms. As both men have conflicts within themselves, with each other, North recognizes dual needs in music. Harmony is often consonant, design is often mannered but composer balances with intense material. Shape of main theme itself rises with leaps, falls, takes frequent turns. Tortured moods of artist, struggles to create remain keynote. North also pays hommage to brilliant creations with unusually thick, massive chord progressions in low brass, low strings. Interestingly, when composer tackles early war scene he balances major chord fanfares in trumpets with wall of percussion. Unique mood of military might in battle without customary dissonance is striking! North scores for full orchestra with extra trumpets plus lute, organ. CD also reprises entire 12-minute prologue: THE ARTIST WHO DID NOT WANT TO PAINT by Jerry Goldsmith. His moving five-movement work is artistic landmark as well, plays over images of stunning stone creations, architectural triumphs. Scored for string orchestra, string quartet, woodwinds, sans brass save eight sonorous French horns! Varese "Deluxe Edition" includes all material from original Capitol soundtrack album (save one Tavern source cue) plus several minutes of previously unreleased music, presented in stereo from original elements. Goldsmith "Prologue" remains identical to earlier releases. Jerry Goldsmith conducts his prologue, Alex North conducts his score. Limited edition of 3000 copies. Knockout!