Poledouris was a great yet underrated composer. He excelled at writing scores for a variety of genres and was a master melodist. I would definitely consider adding the following 2 masterpieces to your collection: Lonesome Dove and Starship Troopers.
Kudos for the nod to the versatile Basil Poledouris. He often acknowledged the great Miklós Rózsa as a major influence on his own robust orchestral style, of which that splendid "Conan the Barbarian" score is a prime example.
McGlinn was an accomplished musicologist (oh, that word) in the musical theater area. He recovered/rediscovered so many wonderful early songs and scores. I was looking through his papers in the Library of Congress a couple years ago for an early Porter song that he'd reconstructed.
An interesting thought experiment: Imagine Conan the Barbarian as a silent film with a musical score played on an organ. Who wouldn't want to hear that! Guess what: Naxos has released a transcription for organ performed by Philipp Pelster.
Starship Troopers, RoboCop and Blue Lagoon are especially notable Poledouris scores. They have had expanded releases of those Conan the Barbarian/Destroyer soundtracks (as well as 2 disc rerecordings). Flesh + Blood isn't top tier Poledouris, but it is right up there and more in the mold of Conan. I actually came up with a list of pieces I thought were kind of like Conan (as a non-Musician): Tveitt's Baldur's Dreams, Mark Lavry - Emek, Alwyn's Elizabethan Dances (especially the 1st one), Piazzolla's Sinfonietta, Michael Daugherty - Raise the Roof, Turina's Fanzas Fantasticas 3rd movement, Lili Boulanger - Psalm 24 and Fortune plango vulnera from Carmina Burana. As someone else mentioned here, Rosza with Ben Hur. Poledouris also called Nino Rota an inspiration, but it is hard to see I think. That being said, if you asked me for another film score that conveyed the scope and drama of the story as effectively, I would have to say the closest I can think of is Rota's Romeo & Juliet.
Regarding Quincy Porter's symphonies, I must say that they're more interesting than you say in my view. The first one is pretty exciting, dynamic, whereas the second one has a more reflective, even thought-provoking mood. In some ways, they remind me of the music of his compatriot Piston.
The score to Conan the Barbarian really is a gem. I think, though, you were searching for Clive James' description of Arnold's physique as a "condom filled with walnuts."
The Poledouris score for the very great TV series "Lonesome Dove" is gorgeous and not to be missed.
Poledouris was a great yet underrated composer. He excelled at writing scores for a variety of genres and was a master melodist. I would definitely consider adding the following 2 masterpieces to your collection: Lonesome Dove and Starship Troopers.
Kudos for the nod to the versatile Basil Poledouris. He often acknowledged the great Miklós Rózsa as a major influence on his own robust orchestral style, of which that splendid "Conan the Barbarian" score is a prime example.
McGlinn was an accomplished musicologist (oh, that word) in the musical theater area. He recovered/rediscovered so many wonderful early songs and scores. I was looking through his papers in the Library of Congress a couple years ago for an early Porter song that he'd reconstructed.
An interesting thought experiment: Imagine Conan the Barbarian as a silent film with a musical score played on an organ. Who wouldn't want to hear that! Guess what: Naxos has released a transcription for organ performed by Philipp Pelster.
Lucky us.
Holy schmoly - I just ordered it!
Starship Troopers, RoboCop and Blue Lagoon are especially notable Poledouris scores. They have had expanded releases of those Conan the Barbarian/Destroyer soundtracks (as well as 2 disc rerecordings). Flesh + Blood isn't top tier Poledouris, but it is right up there and more in the mold of Conan. I actually came up with a list of pieces I thought were kind of like Conan (as a non-Musician): Tveitt's Baldur's Dreams, Mark Lavry - Emek, Alwyn's Elizabethan Dances (especially the 1st one), Piazzolla's Sinfonietta, Michael Daugherty - Raise the Roof, Turina's Fanzas Fantasticas 3rd movement, Lili Boulanger - Psalm 24 and Fortune plango vulnera from Carmina Burana. As someone else mentioned here, Rosza with Ben Hur. Poledouris also called Nino Rota an inspiration, but it is hard to see I think. That being said, if you asked me for another film score that conveyed the scope and drama of the story as effectively, I would have to say the closest I can think of is Rota's Romeo & Juliet.
Regarding Quincy Porter's symphonies, I must say that they're more interesting than you say in my view. The first one is pretty exciting, dynamic, whereas the second one has a more reflective, even thought-provoking mood. In some ways, they remind me of the music of his compatriot Piston.
I'm very glad that you enjoy them more than I did.
The score to Conan the Barbarian really is a gem. I think, though, you were searching for Clive James' description of Arnold's physique as a "condom filled with walnuts."
Well not exactly, but you gotta love it!