The Californian based
Intrada label is one of the bastions for CD releases of film soundtracks. Whilst the majority of their releases hold no interest for me, they have been fantastic for releasing Rózsa scores - both original soundtracks and reconstructions (e.g. a reconstruction of the score to Hitchcock’s
Spellbound not otherwise available). They also released the definitive/best sounding version of Bernard Herrmann’s original soundtrack for Hitchcock’s
North by Northwest - long sold out.
There are many scores by some of Hollywood’s golden age composers that no longer exist out with the film or in respect of which complex licensing issues prohibit their release. The only way for such scores to see the light of day is for them to be reconstructed and recorded, usually an expensive and loss making undertaking given the small market for them.
Inspired, so it would seem, by the successful campaign of James Fitzpatrick of the
Tadlow label raising over £40,000 (half the actual costs) to reconstruct and record Rózsa’s score for
King of Kings by way of Kickstarter,
Intrada are attempting a new funding model, by way of Kickstarter, to make available scores otherwise unavailable.
They are starting a possible Alfred Hitchcock series with Dimitri Tiomkin’s lost score for
Dial M for Murder which, if successful (cost €38,794), may lead to his lost scores for
Strangers on a Train and
Shadow of a Doubt being reconstructed and, possibly, Franz Waxman’s lost score for
Suspicon and Bernard Herrmann’s lost score for
The Man who knew too much. The latter contains a fine
Prelude by Herrmann and Arthur Benjamin’s fine
Storm Clouds Cantata both of which have been recorded. Other than a song sung by Doris Day I am not sure there is much/any other music.
Herrmann and Benjamin excepted, none of this music appeals to me. In fact, despite seeing the Tiomkin and Waxman scored films many times, I can’t presently recall a single note from them (except Lehár‘s
Merry Widow waltz from
Shadow of a Doubt). I’m reasonably certain, however, that I would be able to link some of Tiomkin’s music to the right film if I heard it - certainly so in respect of
Strangers on a Train.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the first project, the possibility of future releases more to my taste, means I will support the Kickstarter campaign by purchasing the CD in advance which, together with shipping costs if the CD sees the light of day, means a commitment of about £34.
I conjecture the Kickstarter campaign will be a success. Partly because Tiomkin has his fans, partly due to film score enthusiasts being tempted by the possibility of their favourite scores having a chance to be recorded if this campaign succeeds and partly due to the affection Hitchkock’s thrillers are held in and the consequential exposure their music has had.
Could such a funding model work for rarely heard classical music or classical music played long ago? I doubt it. I would be skeptical that a sufficient number of classical music enthusiasts would be so enterprising, excepting the enthusiasts who are part of this and similar forums.
See:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/129145902/dial-m-for-murder-film-score-recording