Press Release from Quartet:
Quartet Records, in collaboration with Sony Music Publishing, presents an album that features, for the first time on CD, the original LP programs of two Charles Dickens television adaptations with magnificent scores by Malcolm Arnold and Maurice Jarre.
The timeless works of Dickens have inspired countless screen adaptations, many of them enriched by memorable musical scores. Among the finest are Malcolm Arnold’s DAVID COPPERFIELD (1971) and Maurice Jarre’s GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1974), two remarkably different yet equally compelling interpretations of Dickens’ enduring literary world.
Composed for the acclaimed television adaptation of DAVID COPPERFIELD, Malcolm Arnold’s score ranks among the composer’s most graceful and heartfelt works, and it was his last film score. Blending lyrical warmth, lighthearted charm and moments of dramatic intensity, Arnold captures the emotional journey of Dickens’ beloved protagonist with the melodic fluency, transparent orchestration and unmistakable humanity that define his musical voice. The score stands as an outstanding example of Arnold’s music and a testament to his extraordinary gift for musical storytelling.
For GREAT EXPECTATIONS, Maurice Jarre offers a richly expressive and deeply atmospheric score that reveals a more intimate side of the celebrated composer. Eschewing grand gestures in favor of emotional nuance, Jarre crafts a sophisticated musical tapestry that underscores the complex relationships between Pip, Estella and Miss Havisham through elegant thematic writing and finely judged orchestral colors. It remains one of the composer’s most distinguished contributions from the period.
Together, these two scores showcase the unique artistry of Malcolm Arnold and Maurice Jarre while celebrating the enduring appeal of Dickens’ classic novels. Rich in melody, character and dramatic insight, they stand as exemplary achievements in television scoring and welcome additions to the legacy of two of the twentieth century’s most distinguished film composers.
This album has been remastered and restored by Chris Malone using the best available sources. In the case of DAVID COPPERFIELD, despite many efforts, the album master could not be located, so it was restored from several pristine vinyl copies. The package includes an in-depth essay by writer, film music journalist and television music expert Jon Burlingame.
