The Prize
Music composed by Jerry Goldsmith
Available on Film Score Monthly Silver Age Classics (FSM Vol.5 No.16)
Running Time: 76:21
Available from Film Score Monthly, 8503 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA90232; Tel: 1-888-345-6335; overseas: 310-253-9595; fax: 310-253-9588; e-mail: Info@filmscoremonthly.com
An early example of Goldsmith pizzazz, assembled with the usual Film Score Monthly polish and intelligence in this welcome Silver Age Classics release.
Written shortly after his Oscar nomination for Freud (1963), Goldsmith infuses the music with pulsating energy and a whole bag of tricks that would gradually become very familiar to cinema audiences and soundtrack enthusiasts alike. All of the now legendary percussive dexterity and distinctive brass effects are on display here and it makes for fascinating listening as we realise that the composer so quickly established a personal ‘voice’, even allowing for the inevitable sixties influences.
Apart from the entire original score, there are also a number of bonus source cues (Previn’s ‘Juke Box’, ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ by Kaper and Washington etc.) plus four re-recorded extended LP cuts marketed by M-G-M Records around the time of the film’s release.
While not among Goldsmith’s best scores (the standard is very high after all!) there is much here to entertain and intrigue. His suspense work ('The Night People/The New Doctor', 'The Phone Call/Cab Fare' among many others) is inventive and sounds remarkably fresh. And even when its age does show through, the music still holds a certain charm that always keeps it engaging.
A thoroughly professional, accomplished score that takes on greater importance when considering its place in Goldsmith’s musical evolution.
Mark Hockley
3 1/2
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