The Film Music of Alan Rawsthorne

Déjà Review: this review was first published in June 2002 and the recording is still available.

“…On the strength of the quality of the material on display in this Chandos disc, Rumon Gamba and his BBC forces should lose no time in mining further treasure from the Rawsthorne film scores. Recommended to film music fans and admirers of Alan Rawsthorne alike.”    - Paul Conway

“… a fine follow-up to Rumon Gamba’s and the BBC Philharmonic’s superb programme of The Film Music of George Auric. Highly recommended for fans of quality orchestral film music and devotees of 20^th Century English music.”   - Gary S Dalkin

"... Rumon Gamba gets exceptional playing from the BBC Philharmonic, and the Chandos engineers perform no less brilliantly."

"... Everything here certainly bears the undeniable cachet of musical authenticity, having been either "arranged" by Rawsthorne's original orchestrator Gerard Schurmann (a distinguished composer in his own right) or "arranged and orchestrated" by the multitalented Philip Lane from Rawsthorne's own manuscripts or, when these were unavailable, reconstructed by ear from the actual music tracks. All in all, a difficult job very well done and long overdue for which all film-music enthusiasts will remain forever grateful."

"A cracking addition to the budding Chandos Movies label, and essential listening for film and British-music fans alike... Drawing playing of panache and infectious enthusiasm from the BBC Philharmonic, Rumon Gamba confirms the auspicious impression left by his sparkling concert of film music by George Auric with this same band. Lustrous, spectacularly wide-ranging sound, too, in the finest Chandos tradition. Not to be missed."

"... Recorded sound and performances are impeccable."

"Perhaps Alan Rawsthorne's time has finally come; this disc is the best advocate for such a fine but neglected composer, collecting as it does the pick of his 27 film scores ... The performances are very good ... The Chandos sound has plenty of depth and presence."

Artistic Quality 10     Sound Quality 10

Chandos does it again!"
"... The music’s quality and originality is evident through all nine of the films represented here" "Conductor Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic excel in presenting this music as concert hall worthy, which of course it is. Chandos’ dynamic, wide-ranging recording will remind you why you paid so much for your stereo system. Even if you’ve never seen any of these films you’ll have loads of fun."

"... Alan Rawsthorne's music is British film music of the 1940s and 1950s at its best. Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic have managed to capture the nobility and delicacy of the composer's music as well as the enthusiasm of the developing British film industry. This is an excellent album in an excellent series and is highly recommended."