Though forgotten by most of film music new fans, the great Elmer Bernstein continues composing at the same level that he is used to do. An enormously popular composer in the sixties, it seems that his discreet pass through the creative low level of the Studios and directors in the seventies -with his participation in movies of the "level" of Meatballs (1979) or Airplane! (1980)- affected in excess his popularity and prestige, but not his creativity. And although in the last years he have delivered scores so excellent as A Rage in Harlem (1991) or The Age of Innocence (1993), it does not seem that his name could be found among the most requested by the fans. No matter, Bernstein continues composing with his so personal and classical style, so full of life, energy and sensibility; and Buddy, another fairy tale from director/screenwriter Caroline Thompson, responsible for Black Beauty (1994) or the screenplay of Edward Scissorhands (1990), abounds in his better details, with that peculiar elegance and charm which he always tends to handled his more intimate and emotive music (including the use of the Ondes Martenot, an already indispensable instrument in his scores), greatly helped by the very imbued orchestration of his daughter Emilie, with whom he lately and successfully collaborates. E.V.

/ VARESE SARABANDE VSD5829 / 45'