Cromwell

克伦威尔出身于亨廷登郡的一个没落的新贵族家庭。青年时期就学于剑桥一个著名清教学院，受到清教思想的薰陶。 　　1642年，英国内战开始，他站在国会革命阵营方面，以自己组织的“铁骑军”屡建战功。1645年，国会授权克伦威尔改组军队，他以铁骑军为基础组成“新模范军”。他指挥这支军队，战胜了王党的军队。 　　1649年1月30日，他在人民的压力下，以议会和军队的名义处死国王查理一世。5月，宣布英国为共和国，成为实际军事独裁者。他镇压掘地派运动，出兵远征爱尔兰。1653年，他驱散议会，自任“护国主”，但国内经济状况不断恶化，阶级矛盾日趋尖锐，克伦威尔始终未能稳定局势。 Spectacular find! Frank Cordell's magnificent Oscar-nominated score for lavish Ken Hughes movie about Oliver Cromwell, King Charles I, bloody English Civil War of 1600's and starring Richard Harris, Alec Guinness, was buried beneath an all-dialog LP on Capitol label in 1970. For years our interest in bringing album out on CD was muted by this sad anomaly. Then, in wonderful stroke of fortune, complete stereo session tapes were found in EMI vaults, labeled with other film audio elements (foley work, sound effects, etc.) and seemingly lost forever. Release of powerful score was possible at last! Intrada world premiere 2-CD set features entire score in stereo, including rare "Intermission" music dropped from prints of film! Highlights are many but of particular note are dynamic sequences for orchestra plus massive chorus throughout. Action cues are exciting. Climax that brings close to part one of film (Battle Of Naseby) is also magnificent. Towering above all is powerhouse coda to entire score, with fortissimo orchestra & chorus ringing triumphant major chords to bring masterful score to spectacular close. Disc 2 presents complete 1970 Capitol LP in stereo from original album masters, offering admittedly compelling dialog (with music excerpts underneath) spoken by two masters of their craft. Spectacular package features original album cover plus exciting alternate "flipper" cover, handsomely designed by Joe Sikoryak. Informative notes by Frank De Wald complete nice set. Frank Cordell conducts.