A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

A tale about the creation of perhaps the most famous painting in history, Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel, The Agony and the Ecstasy was turned into a movie in 1965 by Twentieth Century Fox, with Carol Reed directing Charlton Heston (as Michelangelo) and Rex Harrison (as Pope Julius II).  The film concentrates on the relationship between the two men, with the latter doggedly persuading the former to undertake the painting, despite the artist simply not wanting to (he did not see himself as a painter).  The film was nominated for five Academy Awards - Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound Design and Score.

That score is by Alex North, but in fact the first twelve minutes of this new album (from Varese Sarabande's CD Club) features music composer by Jerry Goldsmith for the short documentary aired before the movie on its roadshow presentations.  Goldsmith was, of course, a great friend and perhaps even protégé of North and had already written several excellent scores by himself, but his prelude music here (titled "The Artist Who Did Not Want to Paint") is arguably his finest work to that point, and remains one of the highlights of the late composer's magnificent career.  Consisting of five movements, it is a rich, colourful and expressive work inspired by the famous ceiling, a beautifully delicate piece of music.

North's score itself could barely begin in more striking fashion, with the opening two tracks portentous even by his standards.  "The Mountains of Carrara" introduces the main theme in imposing style on a cavernous-sounding church organ, gradually building until the explosive brassy finale.  "The Warrior Pope" is arguably even better, an explosive piece in which different sections of the orchestra seem to be almost fighting with each other, with little fanfares splattered through the piece and another simply astonishing trumpet-based finale.

No film composer has ever scored emotion quite so expressively as North and it is the case again here.  "The Sistine Chapel" is quite exquisite, underscoring the real beginning of what became the famous ceiling.  "Painting" is another wonderful piece of music, scoring with deft beauty the process of painting itself.  "The Agony" is a perfect demonstration of North's genius for conveying human anguish through music, with music so beautiful yet so tragic it is difficult to remain unmoved.  The remarkable string writing is particularly striking. 

This is one of the landmark film music releases of 2004, arguably the finest.   The score has been released on CD twice before - the original album on Cloud Nine Records, and a re-recording of some 40 minutes of North's score conducted by Goldsmith on Varese.  This is undoubtedly the recording of choice however, combining Goldsmith and North's works for the first time, and adding some additional tracks as well.  It's one of North's finest scores (and therefore one of the finest scores), demonstrating once more (as if such demonstration were needed) that his music has a timeless quality quite unlike any of his Golden Age peers.  Sound quality of this album is acceptable rather than exceptional, but that doesn't detract from the sheer genius of the music.  Simply magnificent.

Tracks

1. Prologue - The Artist Who Did Not Want to Paint (12:23)
2. The Mountains of Carrara (2:57)
3. The Warrior Pope (2:40)
4. The Medici (2:34)
5. The Sketch of the Apostles (3:12)
6. Sketch Destroyed (:58)
7. Genesis (3:36)
8. The Sistine Chapel (3:01)
9. The Contessina (2:47)
10. Painting (2:26)
11. The Agony (3:58)
12. Michelangelo's Recovery (2:13)
13. Festivity in St Peter's Square (2:07)
14. Julius in the Garden (1:23)
15. Back to St Peter's (:56)
16. The War (2:06)
17. The Battle Field (1:58)
18. New Cardinal (2:00)
19. Michelangelo's Magnificent Achievement / Finale (2:39)
20. To Work, My Son (1:05)
21. Mountain Scene (3:37)