The Charge of the Light Brigade
Label: Tribute Film Classics
Catalogue No: TFC-1005
Release Date: 20-Jan-2009
Total Duration: CD1 65:07 - CD2 34:40
UPN: 7-0026-12616-0-7
William Stromberg conducts the Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Max Steiner’s ambitious, epic score for THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936) has been captured with extraordinary skill and verve by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William Stromberg, in this spectacular 2 CD recording on the Tribute label. Hearing the music utilising modern recording techniques enables the music to be heard anew compared to the limited fidelity of the original mono soundtrack. Much of the music recorded here from Steiner’s original score sheets is being heard for the first time – before cues were altered or cut from the film. Of course, Steiner practically invented film music and more than any other composer his music signifies the Golden Age of film music. CHARGE was his first score for Warner Bros. from which he went on to compose a great number of scores for the studio, effectively becoming the Warner Bros. ‘sound’.
Steiner was known for his fondness for using traditional well-recognised musical material within his scores and CHARGE is no exception. Almost from the very beginning, following a robust fanfare, he uses variations on Thomas Arne’s music from Rule Britannia for the ‘Main Title’ before segueing into a militaristic march which becomes the main theme of the score in depicting the British Army and is used in numerous variations throughout. Following the ‘Main Title’, ‘Palace of Surat Khan’ introduces the ominous and contrasting theme for the villainous Surat Khat. The main theme is heard to good effect in ‘On to Chukoti’ and in a heavy percussion arrangement in ‘Leaving Chukoti Undefended’.
Strikingly different from the many action elements of the score are cues such as ‘Little Prema and Geoffrey’, a charming piece, which is delicately scored but did not make it to the finished film. Other intermissions are several dance tunes such as ‘Elsa’s Waltz’ and ‘Ballroom Waltz’. The highlight of both film and score is, of course, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ a nine minute musical tour de force in which Steiner’s music accompanies one of the most remarkable action scenes in all of movie history (mired unfortunately by some of the most appalling mistreatment of horses in film history). Brass alarums, fanfares and thunderous percussion dominate with free use of Steiner’s main theme, with excerpts of British patriotism bursting through the bombast every now and again.
For good measure the CD set concludes with the music for the lengthy promotional trailer for the film as well as the trailer music from Steiner’s ‘ARSENIC AND OLD LACE’. As with previous Tribute releases, the booklet alone is worth the cost of admission. The main track by track notes are by film historian J. B. Kaufman, with contributions from James V. D’Arc, Kevin Scott and the Tribute team Anna Bonn, William Stromberg and John Morgan.
Congratulations and thanks to all for giving us such a wonderful, brilliantly performed and recorded album.
