September 9, 2019
Tadlow Announces World Premiere New Recordings of the Complete Scores from Two Classic Hammer Films of the 1950s on One Compact Disc
Tadlow Music presents the world premiere recordings of the complete scores from Hammer Films’ DRACULA (1957, aka HORROR OF DRACULA) and THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1956) composed by James Bernard.
The music for both these films was composed by James Bernard, who created music for many of the classic Hammer films including THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, THE GORGON, and all of the Hammer Dracula films from DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS through THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES.
“A distinctive trait in Bernard’s Hammer scores is their use of clashing harmonies, often created by doubling a motif a tone higher, as in his famous Dracula theme,” writes Tadlow in their announcement. “His music is also frenzied and pacey at times, frequently making use of percussion such as timpani and snares. He could also write lush, romantic melodies, however. such as appear in FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN, TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA and SCARS OF DRACULA. ”
Newly recorded in stunning and dynamic digital sound performed by the acclaimed and award-winning City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nic Raine, with over 70 minutes of music. New score and Bernard’s own orchestrations reconstructed by Leigh Phillips. Features a 20-page full-color booklet with informative sleeve notes by Hammer film music expert David Huckvale – plus numerous original film stills and posters.
Includes the Bonus Track “Rhapsody for Lucy,” composed by Leigh Phillips from James Bernard’s Dracula Theme.
Recording produced by James Fitzpatrick for Tadlow Music, with associate producers Mark Bagby and Leigh Phillips.
Catalog Number: TADLOW 032, release date: Oct. 25th 2019. Click here to view track listing, hear sample tracks, and pre-order the CD.
