[Meyvn]

His first orchestral work, and in a well-advertised SACD Hybrid. Shame it isn't in the standard SACD case, but I'll live. Really enjoying it thus far; it's a bit too disorganized to be a symphony or "cantata." I think it certainly shows that classical music composition is not dead, though, and does indeed have potential for development outside the video game and movie world. I'd been thinking just the other day that I wished more people would compose; maybe now some of the modern musician virtuosi will contribute. Anyone else heard the album?

 

[technobarbie]

I have but I've only listened to it once so far. I'm very fond to his "Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack. He's come a long way from Oingo Boingo.

 

[mbhaub]

Heard it and enjoyed it very much. I love Elfman's movie scores, so this was a real treat. I hope he keeps it up. Something that must be remembered though, is that so much of that "Elfman sound" is really due to the brilliance of Steve Bartek who does the actual orchestration.

There's another remarkable new disk of Jay Greenberg's Symphony no. 5 written when he was 13! The London Symphony performing no less and also on Sony. Maybe Sony is starting to try to revitalize the moribund classical biz by recording more contemporary composers. The LA Variations and other music by Esa Pekka Salonen is quite good too and also on Sony.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heard it and enjoyed it very much. I love Elfman's movie scores, so this was a real treat. I hope he keeps it up. Something that must be remembered though, is that so much of that "Elfman sound" is really due to the brilliance of Steve Bartek who does the actual orchestration. There's another remarkable new disk of Jay Greenberg's Symphony no. 5 written when he was 13! The London Symphony performing no less and also on Sony. Maybe Sony is starting to try to revitalize the moribund classical biz by recording more contemporary composers. The LA Variations and other music by Esa Pekka Salonen is quite good too and also on Sony.

Good point about Steve Bartek's orchestration - this makes the musical scores really great.

Love "Batman Returns" as well as "Seranada".

 

[SysteX]

I was unaware of this. As I really loved Elfman's The Nightmare Before Christmas, I think I'll have to pick this up and give it a try.

 

[wovenhand]

This was my favorite album of 2006. For me it's definetely his best work to date. I've listened to it a zillion times and I'm still loving it.

 

[wower]

Hmmm... I'll have to look this up..

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wovenhand /img/forum/go_quote.gif This was my favorite album of 2006. For me it's definetely his best work to date. I've listened to it a zillion times and I'm still loving it.

I listened to it for the second time this morning.


I think this is one of the best musical compositions of all time.

 

[Enverxis]

would a fan of the Sleepy Hollow soundtrack enjoy this piece?

 

[SysteX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listened to it for the second time this morning. I think this is one of the best musical compositions of all time.

Oh I can't wait! I just got it today and am about to put it in and sit down for a good listen. I'll be back with impressions later.

 

[rincewind]

I like Elfman's stuff but wow, did this album ever bomb on allmusic.com haha

I'll give it a go anyway.

 

[wovenhand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rincewind /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like Elfman's stuff but wow, did this album ever bomb on allmusic.com haha I'll give it a go anyway.

That guy is deaf. The album is so good it's not even funny.

 

[wower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rincewind /img/forum/go_quote.gif did this album ever bomb on allmusic.com haha

But the music forum at head-fi would never lead you astray!

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wovenhand /img/forum/go_quote.gif That guy is deaf. The album is so good it's not even funny.

This is Elfman/Bartek's finest work but it is a classical more than a pop work - will be rejected by most of those with pop tastes but liked by those who like classsical music composed from 1900 to the present.

Bartek's subtle and intricate orchestrations really shine in parts of Serenada - perhaps this work is more of a Bartek composition than an Elfman one.