EL CID!!!

How does it compare to the original or Sedares recording? Inquiring minds want to know.

Hopefully this recording will go some way to lay to rest the ill-informed comments by some people about the quality of the City of Prague Philharminic Orchestra?

Granted when I first started working with them in 1989 they could only be described as a fair orchestra.

Now, after nearly 20 years of development, introducing younger musicians from the world famous Prague conservatoire, they have become a very fine orchestra. This is not just what I think but what composers such as Gabriel Yared and Rachel Portman have said after working with them.

They have now become one of the most sought after groups for media recording. This year alone I have produced 3 major video game scores with them. Composer Kevin Kiner chose them above any other orchestra to record STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS and Rachel Portman was "delighted" with their playing on her forthcoming score for THE DUCHESS.

Theses, plus other original soundtracks, plus album recording such as GUNS OF NAVARONE, SHERLOCK HOLMES and EL CID prove their pedigreee.

....but of course they will still be somebody somewhere who still has a grudge against Eastern European orchestras! Well all I can say is that Prague is not in Eastern Europe it is in Central Europe...and it is widely acccepted by musicians around the world that the "Prague String Sound" is something very special.



Tadlows comment on that other board.


sd

It blows the Sedares recording out of the water! That one always felt "wrong" somehow. No doubt, this new re-recording is far superior, the package as well. The orchestra plays fantastic and the recording is extremely close to the original OST. It also has that typical dry film music sound, no the concert hall sound, which is good, as you can hear all the instruments very nicely. The violin solos are true the original violin parts. There are a few tempo differences, for example the first track is played a wee bit slower (to my ears), and some battle music is played a wee bit faster. This was done intentionally, as it seemed to be more appropriate for some particular tracks. Believe me its wonderful. The Sedares had that terrible, wrongly played organ at the end. Oh, that sucked so much... This new recording has the organ played correctly, and what a great dramatic effect it has. The love theme is played very nicely on the violin, and this release has a utterly fantastic alternate bonus version of the end track, with the choir singing lyrics of the "Falcon and the Dove", instead of the original non-lyric choral work. It brought tears to my eyes, seriously! To liner notes mentioned that "it felt as if the composer was there, while doing the re-recording" this might sound a bit too much, but after hearing the re-recording by myself I have to admit that everything oozes the true Rozsa sound. Well done.

The package is wonderful, just a sturdy traditional double cd case with an extra sleeve which has the same artwork as the sleeve in the cd case. The booklet has a wonderful photo on the cover, of El Cid riding out to battle. The artwork and text inside the booklet is great too, and I am very picky... but I couldn't find any fault. This release is now one of my absolutely top favourites in my collection. Recommended! Kudos!

There is also one track "Rodrigo's Men" (track 7 on cd two) which has a snippet of a melody that sounds strikingly similar to one of Zimmer's works... can you guess it? go to www.tadlowmusic.com and click the el cid logo, you will find the track list with the sample there. I am sure its pure coincidence, but still funny to hear the similarity.

I guess it's Slaves to Rome!

I got mine today, Outstanding!!!! Absolutely Superb!!!! Listening to it now, WOW!!



sd

I did get Scent of Mystery today which was nice to be able to listen to the re-mastered material. No MGM or El Cid.
Thomas

Oh for Christ Sakes, Thor. Just buy the damn thing and edit it the way you like it. Trust me, it's so worth it. IMHO, it plays absolutely beatifully in complete form.

-Erik-

Thanks for your concern, but I'll buy the Sedares when I get the dough.

Must. Hear. This. Score.

Weird

Would have been boring if everyone had the same preferences, though, right?

Hm?

You are FUCKING bizzare, man. But that's make you who you are and I can honestly say you are most definitely missing out. I find it totally wacko that you would DENY yourself from hearing so much great music because of your STRANGE preferences. Oh well... so be it!

-Erik-