Thanks to a special 'Film music' series from the Marco Polo label, it is possible to obtain a clear picture of a hitherto little exposed compositional activity of the 20th century. This CD is the third in the series with the film music of the French composer Georges Auric (1899-1983), who was known as a member of the 'Groupe de six'. It has been decided not to show the integral score, but the separate
… pieces written for different scenes. The music for the French version of 'Nôtre-Dame de Paris' from 1956 is discussed first. The film starred Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida; the latter would also sing and dance in film and for that Auric wrote some separate small pieces for two harps, two guitars and cello, here combined into the "Suite 'Esmeralda'. Reigen '. The play was notorious for its explicit sexual allusions, but the erotic tensions don't resonate in Auric's music. Overall, Auric's film scores make a pleasant and successful impression, although the music could not prevent all of these films from flopping at the time. The performance is in the hands of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conducted by a character who calls himself 'Adriano'. (JvG) _ naming character. (JvG) _ naming character. (JvG) _more
