Filmtracks Recommends:
Buy it... only if you are a qualified, hardcore film music collector, for Arthur B. Rubinstein's career has contained music very few listeners would be interested in hearing. Avoid it... if you have had no prior experience with Rubinstein's work, and the price of the 2-CD promotional set isn't worth the wildly inconsistent selections and poor sound quality. Filmtracks Editorial Review:
Motion Picture Scores of Arthur B. Rubinstein (Compilation) While Arthur B. Rubinstein has had a prolific career scoring television series and B-rate films, few casual film music collectors will recognize his name. A Super Tracks 2-CD promotional set arranged by veteran album producer Ford A. Thaxton in 1998 sought to assist in spreading knowledge of Rubinstein's music, though given that the composer did not go on to score another major picture, the album likely proved ineffective. It was, however, a way for the hardest of hardcore collectors to get their hands on some well-respected scores, especially since only three of the eight scores included on this compilation were available on other albums at the time. Such treatment of an obscure composer's works on album is rarely achieved, and the album succeeds in its basic duties regardless of whether you can appreciate Rubinstein's music or not. One overarching problem with the album is its sound quality; since the only available source for much of this music was a collection of tapes that Rubinstein had on his shelves, there is surprisingly poor quality to be heard. A significant tape hiss effect is prevalent, which is odd considering both the relatively recent age of the recordings (1983 - 1995) and the availability of correction software for the transfer to the digital medium. As for the music itself, the bright spots on this compilation are entertaining cues from Nick of Time and Hypersapien, as well as the finale from Another Stakeout. The second CD, however, becomes much muddier, and, along with an only partial inclusion of Wargames, is disappointing. All of the best moments in this set come on the first CD. Nick of Time, which had been previously released but remains difficult to find, starts off with promise. The first two tracks feature some of Rubinstein's best work, with main titles music that is suspenseful in maintaining a good melody over a small children's choir. The second track has two minutes of heartfelt, romantic music, and while not as thematically entertaining, the rest of the score remains orchestral and offers some of the most engaging work Rubinstein has done with an ensemble. Best of Times is an effective score, but it could easily irritate detractors of comedy music along the lines of Robert Folk's In the Army Now. It features moments of source material directly from a high school marching band, which can be difficult to enjoy out of context. The sequel Another Stakeout is more orchestrally complex than the first installment, but takes a softer approach to the genre. The middle sections don't warrant excitement, but it finishes with a rewarding guitar and flute theme in the 24th track that defies the style of the rest of the score. Hypersapien concludes the first CD with some of Rubinstein's most orchestrally creative music. A harmonica is added to the jaunty strings for an appropriately playful, Western-genre effect. A rousing string theme at the very end of the score is a highlight of the entire set. The second CD lacks the uplifting moments of the first, and ultimately meanders to the land of monotonous underscores. If you're thinking about purchasing this set for the Wargames section, you might wish to consider otherwise. Not only does it not function as well outside of the film, but some of the most prominent sections are missing from this album (mainly the opening credit music). These decisions were made by Rubinstein himself, and although they may have led to a more pronounced variety of talent recognition, it leaves fans wanting a little more. At least there isn't the dialogue over the score that was heard on the only other available source at the time. The song in the middle, though out of place, is an acceptable tribute to the mid-80s and is followed by the most interesting score track, "Are the Russians Coming?" The militaristic percussion that had been drowning the album by itself previously is now accompanied by a deep male chorus. Aside from this brief respite, Wargames isn't worth the hype that some who own the album might attribute to it. The other three scores represented on the second CD, Stakeout, Deal of the Century, and The Hard Way, provide a glimpse into a more jazzy, synthesized, loungey side of Rubinstein's compositional capabilities. The light rock of Stakeout seems to have come right out of an elevator speaker, with a thematically void tendency towards the mundane. "Maria's Street" features random dialogue and the sounds of partying in the background, which breaks the consistency of the album's music. Perhaps more disturbing is Deal of the Century, which attempts to combine two genres of music into one convoluted mess. The jazzy elements of a Henry Mancini ensemble are given a Hispanic twist with a fluttering acoustic guitar, producing an irritating result. Following is The Hard Way, which not only lacks a theme, but also makes the fatal mistake of combining electronics with an ambitious jazz beat and big band sensibility, creating a painfully incongruent listening experience. Ultimately, this set is a mixed bag. On one hand, its very existence is encouraging. On the other hand, however, the best of the music could easily have been condensed onto one full-length CD. Because of the strong jazz elements in the second CD (and the electronic feel throughout), it's difficult to recommend the set to a fan of any one particular genre. Most of the films represented here are "B" films, and the music subsequently, and to no great surprise, sounds like a series of "B" underscore samplings. The album contains practically no information about Rubinstein (how often do you see that for a compilation promo?) and has become extremely difficult to find on the secondary market in the years after its pressing. *** Track Listings:
Total Time: 139:49
All artwork and sound clips from The Motion Picture Scores of Arthur B. Rubinstein are Copyright © 1998, Super Tracks Music Group (Promo). The reviews and notes contained on the filmtracks.com site may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Filmtracks Publications. Audio clips can be heard using RealPlayer but cannot be redistributed without the label's expressed written consent. Page created 12/30/98, updated 8/5/07. Review Version 4.1 - PHP (Filmtracks Publications). Copyright © 1998-2013, Christian Clemmensen. All rights reserved. |
