As many of you know, I'm a big fan of Mark McKenzie's music. I attribute our member James as far as sparking my interest. BUT, I'm afraid I get the impression that many of you don't actually know his music that well. His reputation as an orchestrator precedes him, though (unfortunately) not too many people are familiar with his compositional talents.

If you are at all interested in learning more about Mark McKenzie, please check out his website. It's a virtual business card geared toward industry professionals, though has been tailored to meet the needs of his fans, as well. Sound clips from all his albums are available. And they're great!

I expect all of you to own a copy of Durango, The Lost Child, or Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde (or any of his other scores!) by the end of this year!! Even better yet, Intrada will be releasing a promotional disc featuring suites from all his films. I highly recommend picking it up as soon as it's available, as it will also boast his concert work, "The Lion and the Mouse."

Visit his website: www.MarkMcKenzie.org and be enlightened.

Shamelessly,
Jeronimo

Jeron sent me some music from I think Frank and Jesse. It sounded a little more interesting than the ones mention above, but it was also just 1 track or 2, so who knows.

I precieve McKenzie at this point as just an adverage composer Who writes typical material. I don't see myself running to the stores and spending $19 on him anytime soon.

However, his music is wonderful, and he should be assigned MAJOR motion pictures.

I'm very impressed with McKenzie's music.

I wish I could get more of his CDs right now.

McKenzie's music has a certain lyrical quality that I think is quite affecting, and certainly shows a man who knows his musical stuff as it were.

you can't beat his overtures. Actually, I wish more composers would put suites or overtures onto their albums, and stretch themselves a bit more. I know they're busy, but still...
oh well, I guess that's what I get for having a more of a classical background.

I read about his graduate work.
I'd really like to hear his concert works.

and let's get this man some more meaty films to score!

NP -- Pan Tadeusz, Kilar

His music is terrific, and I always look forward to hearing his next score. I agree with Joan, too, that he needs to be signed on to score a major picture. He's certainly talented enough.

But as much as I like his music, I can never stand more than 15 minutes of it. It's just too repetitive for my tastes. Same goes for some scores by John Barry and Rachel Portman.

Great post...

Mark McKenzie is one of my all-time favourite composers. I have all of his CD's (with the exception of the unreleased 'Down Periscope'). Ironically, I have never seen a single film he has composed for.

I first became 'aware' of his music through the 1997 Oscars. I say 'aware' since I fell in love with an overture but did not know who composed it. I spent 3 years trying to find out who that composer was. The overture was from Dr.Jekyll and Ms.Hide and ended with Horner's brass and kettle drums from 'Ransom' (End Titles). BTW - it was used in the 'In Memoriam' section and the overture was mixed differently to that of the CD.

Ever since I found that out, I have been on a glorious quest for his music. I love his ability to change pace, melody and avoid repetition. Furthermore, his overtures just send me to cloud nine.

Equally impressive are the subtle permeations of ethnicity and/or heritage woven in various works....Durango (Irish), Lorca (South American) etc.

Actually, I tell a lie...I did see 'Dragonheart - A New Beginning' which was an appalling film and not to be recommeded. At times, I find it difficult to get passed the Edelman re-worked theme since I think that's his masterpiece (just my humble opinion).

I am in two opposing positions about his career. On the one hand...Mark is like having a lesser-known gem to be secretly guarded. On the other, I would like him to get a big break and receive the world-wide recognition he deserves.

Whatever the case...as long as he composes...I will continue to support his work.

Regards,
Rochelle

That Dr. Jekyll overture really is fine. And Dragonheart is pretty nice too, despite the occasional borrows from Krull.

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Originally posted by Pete M:
That Dr. Jekyll overture really is fine. And Dragonheart is pretty nice too, despite the occasional borrows from Krull.

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Pete, I'm sure this was purely coincidental... I don't think Mr. McKenzie has even heard Krull.

NP: The Dig, Land ****

Keep'a postin' your thoughts.

Jeron

You know "Durango" is on my list of CDs to get. So there :-D And you will be the first to know that I have it too.

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Originally posted by John Dunham:
I also have been exposed to McKenzie's work.
Alas, though, I have found it enjoyable, but the two scores of his I have ([b]Durango and Dragonheart 2) haven't exactly inspired me to go hunting for his scores. Perhaps one of his scores in the future will, but until then, he remains in my eyes merely average.

NP: The Dig, Land ****

[Message edited by John Dunham on 03-05-2001][/B]

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Hi,

You don't need to wait for the future. Go backwards and try, 'Dr. Jekyll and Ms Hide'...or 'Frank and Jesse'.

Regards,
Rochelle

I have some work to do.

And Jeron---he HAD to have heard Krull before, man!

Shaun

I could be wrong... We'll see.

yes I remain unexposed, but there's quite a bit I haven't been exposed to yet..so eh *shrugs*

I have contributed nothing

I sit here listening to Frank and Jesse (much preferred over what was previously in my CD player - The Mexican). In this score alone, everything film music fans have ever longed for exists. Mark McKenzie's most powerful "weapon" as a composer is his talent for beautiful melody. Listen to his music as you feel your heart and mind pierced. In Frank and Jesse, as in many of McKenzie's film scores, grandeur is effortlessly mixed with intimacy. I dare say all but the best composers are able to do this. Musical moments lift your spirits and make you want to get on your horse and ride like the wind ("Main Title"), and, moments later, make you look deep inside your own selves and find what might really be the truth in life ("Family Moments").

Kudos to any composer who uses the Arched String Wire in a film score....

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Originally posted by Jeron:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by Pete M:
[b]That Dr. Jekyll overture really is fine. And Dragonheart is pretty nice too, despite the occasional borrows from Krull.<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pete, I'm sure this was purely coincidental... I don't think Mr. McKenzie has even heard Krull.

Jeron[/B]

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Strange. When I listened to it again, I didn't notice Krull references nearly as much as I did (thought I did?) when I first bought it.
Still, nice score regardless.

np Lionheart (by some bloke I've never heard of before)

quote:

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Originally posted by PeterK:
Mark McKenzie's most powerful "weapon" as a composer is his talent for beautiful melody. Listen to his music as you feel your heart and mind pierced. In Frank and Jesse, as in many of McKenzie's film scores, grandeur is effortlessly mixed with intimacy.

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Wonderfully articulated criticism....

Is there a release date (be it tentative or definite) for the new Intrada release of McKenzie's overtures?

I'm sure there is, though Intrada hasn't officially announced it. It should be out in the next couple of months, I'm assuming. I'll e-mail a couple folks and find out for ya. I'm excited about the new cd, as well.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeron:
Rochelle,
I'll e-mail a couple folks and find out for ya.
[Message edited by Jeron on 03-27-2001]

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I wonder if its possible to find out if there will ever be a release for 'Down Periscope'.

Fortunately though, Mark has put together a suite of his music from "Down Periscope" which will cover all his favorite cues from the film. The suite will be included on the new compilation disc coming out from Intrada.

Thanks for clarifying this. I just assumed he did it since it appears on his website. I should have done more reading. I am a bad girl indeed. I'm happy to hear that a DP suite will appear on the upcoming CD.

May I ask..what attracted you to McKenzie?

quote:

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Peter best summed it up with this statement:
Mark McKenzie's most powerful "weapon" as a composer is his talent for beautiful melody. Listen to his music as you feel your heart and mind pierced. In Frank and Jesse, as in many of McKenzie's film scores, grandeur is effortlessly mixed with intimacy.

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On top of that, he's just a great guy with a big heart and a sincere passion for what he does. That really motivates and inspires me.

quote:

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Originally posted by PeterK:
For those like Rochelle who searched high and low for this music, even if it took three years, they found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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Hi all

There is a story behind this...I spent 3 years taking tapes to music shops, placing threads on message boards, searching the internet, showing the Oscar clip to friends, waiting for the Oscar historian to take questions again. In hindsight, the range of solutions were astounding and ranged from Alex North to George Fenton. Finally, frustration set in and I ended up paying someone to find out for me. He took four days to come up with the right answer.
If only I had done that earlier.

You should have seen the shocked expression on my face when I saw the CD cover for 'Jekyll' for the first time.

Regards,
Rochelle

That's great...