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 Music and Meaning Mar 30, 2009
Bought this set a while ago and still enjoy it. It's nice to have all three boxed into one, but it has been cheaply produced. The cut and paste cover design for one thing, and the cheesy liner notes with it's talk of "powerful intellect" and "undying wit" or some such rubbish. The music speaks for itself and I've not yet decided which is my favorite. It really depends on the mood I'm in at the time.
I do own the original releases of these three soundtracks and I must say that the original releases have far better sound. "Room" and "Maurice" sound the richest and warmest, big and full. "Howards End" on the other hand suffers from that early digital transparency; the music is rendered inaudible against other sounds and must be turned up so loud as to threaten ones speakers when the next big cue hits. That was mildy corrected with this boxed set: all the orchestral detail and color of Howards End can now be heard but at the expense of some graininess. A better release is still wanting, perhaps from the original slates rather than a mixed-down album.
But, all told, this is a set worth getting. EMI apparently has the rights to these scores, which all belonged to differing record companies due to Merchant's constant quest for the best deal. Now they can be listened to in a group, or separately. Lovely stuff.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Magnificent Movie Music Mar 23, 2008
More and more I find myself drawn to movie soundtracks. This box set of the soundtracks from the three Merchant Ivory adaptations of E. M. Forster is a feast of mood and color. Of the three movies, "A Room with a View" is the film that got me hooked on Merchant Ivory and any actor involved in any of their films. (It also got me hooked on E. M. Forster novels!) Richard Robbins consistently finds the right piece for the right event, and he borrows liberally from other composers for dramatic effectiveness. "Room" uses Puccini's opera "Gianni Schicchi" to wonderful effect to evoke Florence (The opera is a comedy that takes place in rennaissance Florence), and moves to the big aria from "La Rondine" for the fateful kiss (The Italian text, all about love's first kiss, is so appropriate here. The final lines: "Oh golden dream! To be able to love like that!") "Maurice" borrows liberally from Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony (for the pianola, and for essential reprises), a gay composer for a gay romance. "Howards End" borrows in spots from two composers: Beethoven (the scherzo from the Fifth Symphony) and the piano music of Percy Grainger. (Martin Jones, the pianist in the film, has recorded an album of the complete piano works of Percy Grainger, available on Amazon. Check out the listening samples - it's quite dazzling.) "Bridal Lullaby" is used for the opening titles and for Margaret's arrival at the house, and establishes a mood both romantic and poignant. (And, viewing the movie again and knowing the entire story, watching Ruth Wilcox wander through her domain, observing its inhabitants from the outside as though she came from another world - well, those first few simple chords brought tears to my eyes. And, somehow, still do.) The piece for the closing credits is a piano/orchestral arrangement of Grainger's "Mock Morris." (And now, thanks to that, I've developed an interest in the piano music of Percy Grainger!) Richard Robbins artfully weaves all of these pieces into the fabric of each drama with great style.
Since everyone seems to be comparing the three soundtracks as to good/better/best, I think all three are wonderful for different reasons. "Room" is the most evocative; "Maurice" the most rhapsodic; and "Howards End" the most moody (also the most Phillip Glass-like in several moments). But of the three as albums, "Maurice" does have the edge - the whole thing feels like a complete tone poem unto itself. Robbins accomplishes this by framing the score with two versions of the same musical theme. For the opening credits, the tune seems only half formed, tinged in a minor key, wanting to express something, wanting to sing, but somehow seems suppressed; for the closing credits, the theme - now in a major key - finally has come into its own and sings with a naturally lyric abandon, ending on a triumphant note. It's a wonderful summation of the titular hero's own voyage of self-discovery and fulfillment.
So yes, if you're a fan of movie soundtracks, this set is a must-have. But don't stop there - explore the other music found within these scores as well, to enhance your appreciation of Richard Robbins and Merchant Ivory and the by-gone world they re-create.
elegant compositions for elegant films Sep 09, 2007
richard robbins writes a type of film music like phillip glass and michael nyman. the exception is that robbins' work is lighter in texture than either of his contemporaries.
this triptych shows off the very best of his contributions to the merchant-ivory works. i have yet to listen to 'a room with a view', but i have thoroughly enjoyed 'maurice' and 'howards end'.
both scores feature lyrical, singing melodies that compliment the tone of the scenes in which they are used. robbins also writes clever source music that is perfect in its evocation of popular music of edwardian england. for example the tango in 'howards end' is delicious; the pianola music for the pub scene in 'maurice' is jaunty and full of personality.
both scores also use clever selections of classical music as further evocation of the period in which these films are set. they let us, the audience, know how people listened to classical music at another time. the experience was much like playing favorite tracks on an mp3 player these days.
fabulous accomplishment!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
E.M. Forster Trilogy Jul 14, 2005
What a great soundtrack collection! My favorite is Maurice followed closely by the Howards End disc. I'm a big fan of the E.M. Forster worx and found the music to all of the films to be an integral part of the atmosphere, standing up amazingly well on their own, while evoking the most memorable images of each. If you love romantic, sweeping, bittersweet music, you'll love this collection.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
award-winning Merchant Ivory soundtrack May 02, 2004
This box set is great, especially the music for "A Room with a View." This is exquisite, elegant melody-making, combined with a great sense of atmosphere as well. This music really made the scenes in the films come to life! Now when I hear these tracks, I'm transported back to scenes in the film, like Lucy exploring Florence, or standing at th embankment of the Arno river with George, Lucy and Sistel at the "Sacred Lake" where they shared a very awkward kiss in the film (hahaha), etc etc. Very enjoyable. David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"
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