Maybe the soberest and inner score of the great Alex North, The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) has been during years one of those respected and remembered works produced by his feather, and it was unavoidable that Jerry Goldsmith, in his facet as retriever of North's work, chose it as fifth example of the category of an author that, without a doubt, is among the ten best of the gender; this election, besides for the intrinsic quality of the work, it was forced since it was the own Goldsmith the chosen, in its moment, to compose the music for the Prologue that the 20th Century Fox decided to add to Carol Reed's film in the last moment. The seriousness of Goldsmith's approach, and the magnificent sound of the edition, make forget the version of the own North published in their moment by Capital Records, and issued years later in CD for Cloud Nine (CNS5001 - 34:08), and it shows excellently the use that North made of musical religious modes without losing an apex of his personal style full of edges. A reference score, we do hope that Varése Sarabande and Goldsmith will record more original material of North soon (Cleopatra?, Spartacus?, The Long, Hot Summer?, The Sound and the Fury?) for the fans' delight.

THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (1965) - 40:16
Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Director: Jerry Goldsmith
VARESE SARABANDE VSD-5901 / 40'

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