World premiere expanded 2-CD release of groundbreaking score for Philip Kaufman’s terrifying 1978 remake of the 1956 sci-fi masterpiece. Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright, Brooke Adams all fight (and succumb) to the pod people invasion. Oft-filmed story of people resisting sleep lest their bodies are taken over during their slumber finds its best treatment in this modernized telling, set in San Francisco. Michael Chapmen photographs, W.D. Richter scripts, United Artists releases. Scoring duties were given to first-time (and last-time) musician Denny Zeitlin, American jazz pianist and composer. Zeitlin’s lone foray into film scoring found him writing in an idiom that melded symphonic orchestra with jazz. United Artists released a strong 39-minute album of highlights in 1978 but this new Intrada 2-CD release premieres the hour-long score plus a variety of “extras”. The original 1978 album is also included. Chris Malone works from the 1’’ 8-track scoring session masters for the best sounding audio this important score has ever had. The score has numerous highlights but a spotlight goes to the climactic cues for Matt, particularly “Matt’s Last Flight”. Here, as Jeff Goldblum sacrifices himself and runs straight into a crowd of pod people, Zeitlin fashions one of the score’s genuine emotional highlights for orchestra. Zeitlin’s unique harmonic vernacular is another stand out feature in the cues scored for trumpet with jazz orchestra accompaniment. Original album artwork plus new artwork are featured in Kay Marshall’s exciting package design. Informative booklet notes by Jeff Bond. Greig McRitchie orchestrates, Roger Kellaway conducts. Intrada Special Collection 2-CD release available while quantities and interest remain!
