Press Release from Quartet:
Quartet Records, in collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, presents the premiere complete CD release of Billy Strange terrific score for DE SADE, an ambitious 1969 American International Pictures production directed by Cy Endfield. The film is a fictionalized biography of the world’s most famous sexual and physical pervert: Marquis De Sade, who was notorious for his sadistic behavior. The film stars Keir Dullea as the Marquis, Senta Berger, Lilli Palmer and John Huston.
Legendary musician and arranger Billy Strange, a frequent collaborator with Nancy Sinatra and the composer of such hits as “A Little Less Conversation,” was an unusual choice for DE SADE. Despite being a much sought-after musician, Strange had few film credits. He had written the eponymous theme song to “Baby The Rain Must Fall” and arranged the single version of Nancy Sinatra’s “You Only Live Twice,” but otherwise he was a newcomer to the film scoring scene. That kind of inexperience was exactly what AIP was looking for, as they wanted something fresh and unexpected for one of their most ambitious films to date. With the full support of AIP’s experienced music department (and tips from industry veteran Les Baxter), Strange created an exciting blend of symphonic pseudo-classical music juxtaposed with contemporary pop-psychedelia for the numerous extended orgy sequences. The music was recorded by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra conducted by Strange himself.
The original LP of DE SADE was released by Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, but the original soundtrack only contained selected highlights from the score, with some cues arranged especially for the album, and it certainly didn’t do justice to Billy Strange’s efforts. Now, on this 80-minute CD, with the music remixed and mastered by Chris Malone from the 8″ multitrack preserved in mint condition in the MGM vaults, the ambitious and lavish score can be heard in all its glory.
The package includes exclusive, in-depth liner notes by the much-missed Gergely Hubai—some of the last work he did for us. The score was one of his personal favorites, and he gathered a great amount of information in his research, which he then poured into his always efficient liner notes.
