-
Message Boards
Movie Soundtracks
The Red Violin
Archive of old forum. No more postings.
Please visit our new forum, The MovieMusic Lobby, to post new topics.
Author
Topic: The Red Violin
TimT
Oscar® Winner
I'm trying so hard to like this score, but I can't find a single thing in it thats worth my money. It received an award in 1999 and has recieved many good reviews. So I'm not sure if I'm even listening to the right score. The one I have is by John Corigliano.
Its main theme is not only wierd but doesn't have a memorable aspect about it. The music is way too subdued and boring, with not much variation at all. And it doesn't even try to move me emotionally. And the worst thing of all about this score; and its kinda funny, is the freak'n violin! Its so annoying, Very high picthed and screechy and scrachy sounding sounding. I don't see how anybody could enjoy the violin in this score, its pure headache noise! If you want to get back at an enemy, wake him up early in the morning with the "Pope' Concert" cue!. I mean it doesn't even sound like music on many of its featured parts!
Anyway just thought I'd share my opinion, just in case anyone was interested in this CD.[Message edited by TimT on 02-01-2002]
posted 02-01-2002 10:02 PM PT (US) cine-sin
Oscar® Winner
The CD you have been hearing so much about is the same one you bought. Shame that you don't like it.Try Angel Illarramendi's 'Yoyes' instead. Its lusciously warm
Rochelle
posted 02-01-2002 10:30 PM PT (US) James
Oscar® Winner
quote:
Originally posted by TimT:
I'm trying so hard to like this score, but I can't find a single thing in it thats worth my money. It received an award in 1999 and has recieved many good reviews. So I'm not sure if I'm even listening to the right score. The one I have is by John Corigliano.
Its main theme is not only wierd but doesn't have a memorable aspect about it. The music is way too subdued and boring, with not much variation at all. And it doesn't even try to move me emotionally. And the worst thing of all about this score; and its kinda funny, is the freak'n violin! Its so annoying, Very high picthed and screechy and scrachy sounding sounding. I don't see how anybody could enjoy the violin in this score, its pure headache noise! If you want to get back at an enemy, wake him up early in the morning with the "Pope' Concert" cue!. I mean it doesn't even sound like music on many of its featured parts!I'm tired, so just pretend that I said the exact opposite of everything you just wrote.
Kirk
posted 02-01-2002 11:38 PM PT (US) Beatty
Oscar® Winner
TimT has presented an interesting opinion. I know what I like about this score (finally rented the movie last week: thumbs up) and I think I know where TimT is coming from. But only if this is a first exposure to solo concert violin music. Corigliano's score emphasizes the virtuoso technique of Joshua Bell a lot and if you're expecting the silky smoothness of an entire violin section, you're going to notice the difference. So, TimT, a little context on your other violin listening preferences will illuminate my uninformed premise.(College roomie: violin major. College girlfriend,: violin major. Friends and colleagues: fiddlers. Current girlfriend: violin player. They're everywhere!)
NP: Philip Glass, Violin Concerto
posted 02-02-2002 12:57 AM PT (US) Marian Schedenig
Oscar® Winner
I saw the film several weeks ago, and the music worked very well. I wasn't too impressed at first, but there were several bits I really enjoyed. I should get the CD for the great gypsy music alone, and I think the rest just needs a couple of listens. Three days ago, I heard the suite in concert, and it was excellent. I can't remember how much of it is taken directly from the score. The finale was awesome.quote:
Originally posted by Beatty:
(College roomie: violin major. College girlfriend,: violin major. Friends and colleagues: fiddlers. Current girlfriend: violin player. They're everywhere!)LOL! The neighbour of my parents is a violin player - and a damn good one, we all went to her last concert (Prokoffiev and Mendelssohn violin concertos). My mother told me that she told her that her father is a Swiss (she is from Switzerland) film composer. Anybody ever heard of a Swiss film composer named Mandozzi? Hey, Brutus?
posted 02-02-2002 07:43 AM PT (US) Kyriacos S
Oscar® Winner
quote:
Originally posted by TimT:
I'm trying so hard to like this score, but I can't find a single thing in it thats worth my money. It received an award in 1999 and has recieved many good reviews. So I'm not sure if I'm even listening to the right score. The one I have is by John Corigliano.
Its main theme is not only wierd but doesn't have a memorable aspect about it. The music is way too subdued and boring, with not much variation at all. And it doesn't even try to move me emotionally. And the worst thing of all about this score; and its kinda funny, is the freak'n violin! Its so annoying, Very high picthed and screechy and scrachy sounding sounding. I don't see how anybody could enjoy the violin in this score, its pure headache noise! If you want to get back at an enemy, wake him up early in the morning with the "Pope' Concert" cue!. I mean it doesn't even sound like music on many of its featured parts!
Anyway just thought I'd share my opinion, just in case anyone was interested in this CD.[Message edited by TimT on 02-01-2002]
TSK TSK.
I agree with James.
np: ET (John Williams)*****/***** posted 02-02-2002 05:15 PM PT (US) TimT
Oscar® Winner
Its really sad too because, I usually like solo violin stuff.
posted 02-02-2002 06:21 PM PT (US) JJH
Oscar® Winner
yeah, how dare Corigliano actually write something GOOD for a film?
it's too damn high-brow.not enough synths and rolie-polie melodies.
posted 02-03-2002 12:12 AM PT (US) André Lux
Oscar® Winner
Hihihihihihihi...
posted 02-03-2002 08:06 PM PT (US) jeffy
Oscar® Winner
Tim, your problem with red Violin is the same problem I experienced when I first saw the film...it was such a radical change for violin playing that it was hard to accept. But the story isn't "silky smooth," as one previous poster said. Therefore, the music needs to be a little freaky.I absolutely think this score was deserving of its Oscar. Tim, give it another listen and just let your mind go. That main theme (played over the opening credits) is simply fantastic.
posted 02-04-2002 08:22 AM PT (US) dgoldwas
Oscar® Winner
I think the first obvious question might be: Tim, have you seen the film??Dan
posted 02-04-2002 08:29 AM PT (US) TimT
Oscar® Winner
No, I was talking about the score as it appears on CD.
posted 02-04-2002 09:14 AM PT (US) dgoldwas
Oscar® Winner
Ah, okay. As you know, context might be relevant here..... if you see the film, you might like the score more.Dan
posted 02-04-2002 10:25 AM PT (US) André Lux
Oscar® Winner
That's why it is called "FILM MUSIC" in the first place...
posted 02-04-2002 11:35 AM PT (US) Beatty
Oscar® Winner
In my view, 'silky smooth' is not necessarily a good thing. It can be taken WAY too far (think 101 Strings) or it can be mostly good (think the "Philadelphia sound") but it's a long way away from what a solo violin actually sounds like.When I was wee I was baffled by double-stopping when I heard it on the radio. Two players? But it's a solo! It became clear when I saw it done in person.
Violins are especially protean - they can be made to make an amazing range of sounds, even within the constraints of standard technique. A skilled player can take advantage of that to create a completely unique sound of his own.
The only beef I have with the sound design of the movie is that the earlier parts of the movie are clearly looped with a violin with steel strings, which were not used until quite a long while after the Red Violin was supposed to have been built.
posted 02-04-2002 01:41 PM PT (US) Philipp
Oscar® Winner
I think THE RED VIOLIN is one of the most original scores in the last years. Joshua Bell´s violin is just grand.Philipp
NP: THE RED VIOLIN ( CORIGLIANO )
posted 02-05-2002 02:15 PM PT (US) cine-sin
Oscar® Winner
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by dgoldwas:
context might be relevant here..... if you see the film, you might like the score more.Dan<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>
The film is entirely relevant to the score since the violin has a "life of its own" beyond the score. Its for this same reason that the piano is relevant in the context of 'The Piano'.
Anna's series of lives through the violin have to be given a foregroundedness that doesn't always disappear with the rest of the orchestra.
In this sense, the violin must serve two functions - to be score and to be character.
In the disjointed narrative, the music must also span a few centuries, varied cultures, and convey different obsessions with the violin - all the time heightening emotion within small blocks of story.
TimT - see the film. It may alter your perspective somewhat.
Rochelle
[Message edited by cine-sin on 02-06-2002]
posted 02-05-2002 04:15 PM PT (US) Old Infopop Software by UBB