• Categories

Vanilla 1.1.4 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

 
  1. We continue celebrating the centenary of the great John Addison—this time in collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer—with an expanded 2-CD release of one of his most beloved scores (and one of his personal favorites).

    A BRIDGE TOO FAR (1977) is an ambitious epic production by Joseph E. Levine for United Artists directed by Richard Attenborough, with an incredible stellar cast that includes Dirk Bogarde, Michael Caine, James Caan, Sean Connery, Elliot Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Ryan O’Neal, Robert Redford and Liv Ullmann, among others. Based on the popular novel by Cornelius Ryan, the film chronicles Operation Market Garden, a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of World War II to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in the Netherlands to allow access over the Rhine into Germany.

    John Addison had a very personal connection with these historical events. He served as a young soldier in the XXX Corps, a tank division that was decisive in the operation, so when he heard that Attenborough was preparing this film, he insisted on composing the score, which was his particular tribute to all his friends and colleagues who fell during this unfortunate historical episode.

    Addison composed an epic march (that immediately became a war-film classic) and much exciting action music, all devised with his exquisite British taste for orchestration. He also composed a dramatic rhapsody for piano and orchestra, which was his personal homage to the fallen.

    The United Artists label issued a 38-minute soundtrack album, produced by the composer and sound engineer John Richards, to coincide with the film’s release; two subsequent CD reissues have been out-of-print for years. For this Quartet release, the film score has been remixed from the original multi-tracks vaulted at MGM and includes the complete score in film order, as well as several alternates and revised versions for the film’s ultimate edit. We have also included the remastered original album that features interesting edits and additional mixes specially conceived for it. This collection has been remixed, restored and mastered by Chris Malone, and includes a 20-page booklet with liner notes by film music writer Jeff Bond.


    DISC 1. The Film Score

    1. Overture (Main Title) (3:41)
    2. Underground Resistance (I) (1:20)
    3. Model’s HQ / RAF Briefing (1:02)
    4. Underground Resistance (II) (0:51)
    5. Before the Holocaust (I) (0:33)
    6. Before the Holocaust (II) (1:23)
    7. Air Lift (2:29)
    8. Before the Holocaust (III) (0:56)
    9. March of the Paratroopers (I) (1:27)
    10. March of the Paratroopers (II) (0:47)
    11. Arnhem (I) (0:44)
    12. Arnhem (II) (1:09)
    13. Futile Mission (I) (1:32)
    14. Hospital Tent (0:59)
    15. Intermission (1:18)
    16. Bailey Bridge (3:08)
    17. The Waal Bridge (0:56)
    18. Futile Mission (II) (1:09)
    19. Human Roadblock (1:20)
    20. The Waal River (1:14)
    21. Nijmegen Bridge (1:39)
    22. Arnhem Destroyed (1:11)
    23. Retreat (1:14)
    24. A Bridge Too Far (End Title) (2:01)

    Bonus tracks

    25. RAF Briefing (Alternate) (0:51)
    26. 7M1 / 7M2 / 7M2A (1:54)
    27. March of the Paratroopers (Short Version) (1:04)
    28. Arnhem (I) (Alternate) (0:35)
    29. Futile Mission (I) (Alternate) (0:39)
    30. Hospital Tent (Alternate) (0:23)
    31. Futile Mission (II) (Alternate Ending) (1:20)
    32. Retreat (Original Version) (1:36)
    33. Futile Mission (Original Album Take) (3:03)
    34. The Dutch Rhapsody (Single Version) (2:34)
    35. A Bridge Too Far March (Single Version) (2:36)

    DISC 2. Original Soundtrack Album

    1. Overture (3:41)
    2. A Dutch Rhapsody (2:15)
    3. Before the Holocaust (2:29)
    4. Underground Resistance (2:58)
    5. Air Lift (2:42)
    6. Hospital Tent (1:58)
    7. Arnhem (1:58)
    8. Nijmegen Bridge (1:42)
    9. March of the
    Paratroopers (2:32)
    10. Bailey Bridge (2:54)
    11. Human Roadblock (1:39)
    12. Futile Mission (3:04)
    13. The Waal River (1:59)
    14. Arnhem Destroyed (2:31)
    15. Retreat (2:07)
    16. A Bridge Too Far March (1:53)

    https://quartetrecords.com/product/a-br … -far-2-cd/
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  2. I am not familiar with this score at all. But it's a high-profile war film and I am intrigued to hear what Addison - I composer that I don't know much about - has done with this.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  3. Is anyone here going to go for this one? If not, I would be interested to know why not. No interest in the composer or movie? Or another reason.

    Let's assume some won't want it because it's too much music.)
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  4. I've snapped this up. I've kept my eyes on the Ryko release on eBay and discogs for a while, but it always seemed just a little expensive. So I'm thrilled to have this expansion.

    I always used to think the march was a little too jovial for the subject... but learning more about the composer, and how he was actually there during the operation it takes on a whole new life. A lovely tribute to the friends he fought alongside and no doubt some which were lost.
  5. I didn't know about Addison's participation in the operation. I would have given him a inside perspective for the music.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn