Henry James' superb novel that carries the same title as this movie had already give ground for an excellent movie, the one directed by William Wyler in 1949 under the title of The Heiress, and with Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift as protagonists. The music was by the genial Aaron Copland, in one of his better contributions to the film genre. This new version of James' work must compete with so illustrious preceding, and for this composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek has created it a fully symphonic score; this author, from whom we already have commented his previous Bliss, seems to have a clearly classical music background, and in Washington Square gives free rein to his style because furthermore thus requires the context and the movie's plot. Among the twenty-four cues that makes the soundtrack are included three sung themes, L'Absence, Tu Chiami Una Vita, and The Tale of the String, this last one with lyrics by the brilliants lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman. The rest of the composition is symphonic music with a chamber quartet included. A very worthy score to add to the collection, not only for the followers of this brilliant European composer, but for all the lovers of classical music. I.P.Y.

/ VARESE SARABANDE VSD-5869 / 49'

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