What's so great about SPARTACUS?

Terry Cloth · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:44 pm

Since it looks as though this score is getting ready to be announced, I ask this sincerely... what IS so great about the score for Spartacus? I ask this because I have never heard a note of it, nor have I seen the film! Score lovers make this sound as though it is the greatest score ever composed... is it?
Does it sound like anything else North composed?

pepak · **Joined:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:04 am **Posts:** 22

I wonder, myself.

Based purely on what I know of North's work, I am more than ready to skip the score. But at the same time the amount of praise towards this score makes me think that this might be that one case where missing out would be a horrible mistake (on yet another hand, I have submitted to this same feeling before and have been quite disappointed a number of times). I just hope there will be enough sound samples to make an informed decision and enough pressed copies to last while I am listening to those samples...

SchiffyM · **Joined:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:35 pm **Posts:** 253

As a "Spartacus" lover who will be thrilled if this turns out to be what we all think, let me tell you that the moment those opening notes begin, I will be in heaven, and the uninitiated may well respond "What is this cacophony?"

"Spartacus" is a modern, dense, sometimes dissonant work, often unsubtle, occasionally a bit syrupy. I also find it immensely beautiful, haunting, and spellbinding. I don't know if you'll get that from sound samples. It's a magnum opus, and that rare score that, to me, gets much deeper and not just longer in expansion.

How can I describe my love for this score? I certainly can't do it justice. You may not get it at first. And maybe never. But I'd encourage you to give it a chance.

pepak · **Joined:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:04 am **Posts:** 22

Hmm. With the price tag, the question becomes even more pressing. I could really use some opinions and perhaps comparisons to other scores which may be somehow similar.

kipling71 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:18 am

TerraEpon · **Joined:** Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:45 pm **Posts:** 785

It's pretty similar to Cleopatra in the "sound world", though Cleo is perhaps a bit less noisy and active.

Terry Cloth · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 4:26 pm

Okay... I have now heard some of Spartacus, via the soundclips... and I REALLY LIKE IT! Unfortunately, I just can't afford it

:(

On a side note: of all the versions of the love theme, I think Debney's is the most beautiful and the most haunting!

Startracks · **Joined:** Mon May 19, 2008 3:31 am **Posts:** 323

Check out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Spartacus-Soundtrac ... 563d98486d

This might hold you over until Varese releases their 2-3 CD of the Spartacus score
for $29.99 in the fall! It is going for $9.99 now, and there are other ones on there
for higher prices, but this is a good representation of the score. I will be sticking
with my copy for now. The new release has too much extra material and I am not
willing to pay their price to get the stuff I do not need or will ever listen to more
than once!

The best interpretation version of the Love Theme from Spartacus Varese did not even get included
on the set anyway! Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 - Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
I like this because this is a concert version and I saw EK+CPO in concert playing this live!

http://www.amazon.com/Hollywoods-Greate ... 294&sr=1-3

http://product.half.ebay.com/Hollywoods ... 7QQtgZinfo

Freejack · **Posted:** Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:09 am

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What's so great about SPARTACUS?

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