As rough, unequal and unrelated as it is, this 4CD set provides good music for 4 hours.
Mostly, 'key' (if not necessarily the best) cues of the movies seem to have been retained.

A very short history of Varèse Sarabande Records is provided in a two-page note by Robert Townson. He also aknowledges that this set is not very representative of Varèse Sarabande's work.
For those who have wondered how to pronounce the label's name, a phonetic version (like the phonetics in dictionaries) is provided in Townson's note.

There is a short list of people who have been involved with the label in the "past and present".

A brief note and promo blurb:
"While the present collection focuses primarily on film music of the past 25 years, agreater example of our archival work preserving the music of Hollywood's Golden Age can be found on IN SESSION: A Film Music Celebration."

Front cover of inside booklet: the Varèse Sarabande ink spot.
Back cover of booklet: full page Jerry Goldsmith conducting.

Inside:
- Note from Townson
- "Thank You's"
- track listing
- pictures of:
Herrmann, (Elmer) Bernstein, Delerue, North, Rózsa, Barry, (John) Williams, McNeely, Poledouris, Debney, Eidelman, Rosenthal, Silvestri, Jarre, Korngold, Waxman.

Warning: careful when taking out the inner CDs (#2 and #3). The box holds them so tight you have to 'soften' the plastic pins at the center holding the 2 CDs. They just won't let go.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dinko:
A brief note and promo blurb:
"While the present collection focuses primarily on film music of the past 25 years, agreater example of our archival work preserving the music of Hollywood's Golden Age can be found on IN SESSION: A Film Music Celebration."

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So just what is the official Varèse Sarabande pronunciation? I thought the consensus was "Vahrez Sarahbond." I've never had to say the label name once in my life, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

I'm also glad to hear that Townson acknowledges that the set has some huge holes, most notably the scores they licensed from MCA (Universal Music Group.)

I'll expect Varese to help me celebrate their 25 years by sending me a complimentary copy of this the next time I order some Club CDs from them and pay their outrageous shipping fees.

NP: Vertigo conducted by Mathieson (Varese infects my daily life.)