THE SILVER CHALICE

Epopée biblique (produite aux USA) de 1954.

"The magnificent score by Franz Waxman is familiar to collectors from Elmer Bernstein's re-recording in the 1970s (available from FSM in Bernstein's Film Music Collection box set). This marks the first-ever release of the original soundtrack recording. Waxman drew upon the work of great liturgical masters like J.S. Bach from the Baroque era in order to depict the power of the Cup and the influence of Christ -- a highly learned achievement that was praised by musicologists and resulted in the Library of Congress requesting Waxman's original sketches for archiving (one of the few times they have done this). In addition to the powerful religious music, Waxman wrote a beautiful, yearning love theme for Pier Angeli (the "good" character in the love triangle); solemn, reverent material for the Christian leaders; mysterious and evocative music for the story's pagan villain (Palance); and memorable and picturesque music for the film's depiction of ancient Rome. In keeping with Saville's take on the story, there are relatively few sweeping moments of outdoor grandeur; rather, Waxman's score is a thoughtful, "interior" achievement tied to character and emotion. However, thereis at least one lengthy action sequence where Waxman uses the complex form of the fugue, elevating the film music requirements with this highly challenging musical approach. (www.soundtrackcorner.de)