Hollywood Soundstage

by John Wilson, Sinfonia of London

Overview

With Hollywood Soundstage, John Wilson and his handpicked Sinfonia of London continue their impressive new life by getting to the roots of the original Sinfonia: a studio orchestra heard on over 300 soundtrack recordings. One of the main attractions for listeners will doubtless be the Suite from The Wizard of Oz. Instead of simply cobbling together a suite of hits, the arrangement here is taken from the contributions of the film's arranger and Oscar winner, Herbert Stothart. The listener is brought through Dorothy's whole exciting ordeal, from MGM's famous opening to an absolutely stunning horn solo Home, Sweet Home countermelody alongside the orchestra's Somewhere Over the Rainbow as Dorothy awakens to find herself back home, culminating in a triumphant, quintessentially Golden Age end-credit flourish. The success of the new Sinfonia of London came right from the start with its recording of Korngold's Symphony in F sharp, and it is only fitting that Korngold's work kicks things off here with his Overture to The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Once more, the quality of the musicians pieced together by Wilson shines through in ensemble and solo play, and it is a pleasure to hear as they surmount a plethora of stylistic changes. Another positive for the forces here is Wilson's enthusiasm for the music, including assembling his own suite from Max Steiner's score for the film Now, Voyager, which contains a beautiful passage of interplay between the strings, harp, and vibraphone. For fans of Hollywood's Golden Age, especially for those with an affinity for brass showcases, this will be a wonderful album to add to your collection. ~ Keith Finke

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2022
Label:	CHANDOS
UPC:	0095115529423

Tracks

1. The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex~Overture
2. Laura~Theme
3. The Wizard of Oz~Suite
4. My Fair Lady~Transylvanian March and Embassy Waltz
5. Now, Voyager~Suite
6. The Sandpiper~Main Title
7. Rebecca~Suite
8. How to Marry a Millionaire~Street Scene

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Wilson   Primary Artist,Conductor
Sinfonia of London   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Andy Wood   Trombone
Mike Lovatt   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Harold Arlen   Composer
Alexander Courage   Orchestration
George Bassman   Orchestration
Franz Waxman   Composer
Erich Wolfgang Korngold   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer,Orchestration
Hugo Friedhofer   Orchestration
Herbert Stothart   Composer
Max Steiner   Composer
David Raksin   Composer,Orchestration
Edward B. Powell   Orchestration
Murray Cutter   Orchestration
Leo Arnaud   Orchestration
Francis Marchal   Liner Note Translation
Alex James   Editing,Assistant Engineer
Simone Canetty-Clarke   Photography
Brian Pidgeon   Recording Producer
David Benedict   Liner Notes
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Andreas Klatt   Liner Note Translation
Ralph Couzens   Engineer
Chris Christodoulou   Photography
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Alfred Newman   Composer
Frederick Loewe   Composer
Leonid Raab   Orchestration
Milan Roder   Orchestration
Cass Cassidy   Design,Typesetting
John Mills   Leader