Film, Cinema music - Eloquence

Eloquence has once again done a splendid job of remastering. These collections of film and cinema scores were originally recorded (in 1969-1975) using the outrageous "Phase 4" super-highlighting techniques which unnaturally spotlit certain sections or instruments in the orchestra and brought them unnaturally forward. I have the original Decca Phase 4 CD releases, and while they are extremely vivid (sometimes adding extra excitement), they sound bright, forward and at times aggressive/harsh. These Eloquence issues have very successfully eliminated most of that knob-fiddling done by the engineer during the recording sessions and they sound much, much more natural. That highlighting now just adds a sense of realism and heightened imaging, without any forwardness or spotlighting. These sound quite splendid with a newfound refinement, yet still retain all their verve and excitement.

Two of these Eloquence 2-fers feature Bernard Herrmann conducting his own music with The National and London Philharmonic Orchestras (3 discs), along with a 4th disc of British film scores from the likes of Walton, Bax, Vaughan-Williams, and Bliss. The third 2-fer contains music of composed by Miklos Rozsa. Rozsa, himself, conducts two of the extended suites, while Herrmann resumes for the 3rd. The orchestras play absolutely splendidly, especially for Herrmann, who certainly knows how this music should go and how to get an orchestra to play it. It is brimming with an abundance of verve and cinematic splendor. The recordings are consistently spectacular in the current remastering. It is cause for rejoicing to have these recordings finally presented in natural, realistic, non-gimmicky sound. I don't know how Eloquence does it, but BRAVO!