DAMN THE DEFIANT! / BEHOLD A PALE HORSE

Label: FSMCD Vol.10 No.4
Date: 1962 / 1964
Tracks: 26
Time = 65:05

Two unrelated 1960's Colpix label soundtracks on one CD. DAMN THE DEFIANT! is 1962 Lewis Gilbert nautical mutiny tale from Frank Tilroy novel, starring Alec Guinness, Dirk Bogarde, Anthony Quayle. Clifton Parker creates seafaring pastiche for orchestra with rich harmonic material rooted in British vernacular of Vaughan Williams. Main theme plays with balance of moving melodic contour, stirring chordal structure underneath. In balance are rhythmic string figures for ship activity, dramatic outbursts for conflicts on deck. CD offers original LP presentation in stereo from flawless vinyl sources, adds loving care to mastering of same. BEHOLD A PALE HORSE is 1964 Fred Zinneman tale with degree of subtlety, nuance, set during 1939 Spanish Civil War, starring Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif. Haunting Maurice Jarre score affords perfect meld of gentle Spanish-flavor idiom for guitars, harp, harpsichord with additional solo colors from flute, bassoon, oboe. Intimate music is balanced with signature Jarre France-flavor marching tune that still spotlights double reeds but adds subtle percussion, tympani to chamber ensemble. Resulting score is powerful blend of melodic scoring with ear for delicate touch. FSM offers all stereo tracks from original LP mastered with care from pristine vinyl source, adds two tracks from rare France issue 45 EP as bonus. Generous notes illuminate contents of original albums, identify what goes where, how. Muir Mathieson conducts former score, Maurice Jarre conducts latter. Both works deliver the goods but subtle Jarre music really lands a knockout!

DAMN THE DEFIANT! 1. Main Title (3:05) 2. Vizard Theme (2:01) 3. Midnight on the Defiant (2:54) 4. Sailing With the Tide (1:55) 5. Unrest Among the Crew (2:12) 6. The Defiant Reaches Corsica (3:00) 7. Meeting at Rochefort (2:33) 8. The Mutineers (2:17) 9. Aboard the Defiant (1:58) 10. Crawford at Deathbed (2:18) 11. The French Retreat (2:00) 12. End Title (1:13) BEHOLD A PALE HORSE 13. Main Title (2:20) 14. Paco Leaving Spain (2:45) 15. Paco at the Frontier (3:06) 16. Paco Arrives in Pau (2:06) 17. Spanish Street (2:22) 18. Manuel's Decision (1:45) 19. Manuel and Girl in Cafe (2:56) 20. Manuel Crossing Pyrenees (3:03) 21. Manuel in San Martin (3:06) 22. Father Francisco in Hospital (1:51) 23. Father Francisco's Conscience Struggle (2:50) 24. Manuel Studies Map (2:30) 25. Exile March (2:40) 26. Spain Regained (3:08)