Intrada Soundtrack Forum

I sat down last night and listened to Holdridge's score to "Heidi" and was immediately transported to string heaven. Holdridge is a master of string arrangements. From the opening "Overture" to "Peter Running to Heidi" where all string sections play off of one another in an up tempo piece to the somberness of "Grandmother's Farewell" to the string plucking technique evident in "Healthy Mountain Air", you are listening to more than a filmscore, but to a symphony of strings. Holdridge evokes an assortment of emotions similar to what I find in one of my favorite non-filmscore orchestra composers, Alan Hovhaness, in any of his compositions like "Mysterious Mountain", "Alleluia and Fugue" or "Celestial Fantasy". Take your pick.

My first Holdridge CD was selections of his film music performed by the legendary Charles Gerhadt on a Varese release back in 1985. On this release, Holdridge transported listeners back to the Korngold days with his Overture to "Wizards and Warriors". But it was his string arrangements in such selections as "The Great Whales" (one of my personal favorites) and "East of Eden" that endeared me to this release. His use of strings in these two pieces in conjunction with just the right emphasis using horns and woodwinds never fails to elicit shivers through my body. A pleasant experience indeed.

Many of his scores never saw commercial release but have appeared on promos that are still readily available. His contributions to the western genre with "Buffalo Girls" and "Texas" are a real delight.

Anyone else share my enthusiam for his work? If so, what are your picks.

My first title by Lee Holdridge was also the mentioned Varese/Gerhardt CD sampler, a recording which I truly like.

However, later on I bought his so far only score I own, The Dreamer of Oz, and I absolutely adore this one!! Topped by an excellent booklet which has more pages than the score has minutes of playing time (perhaps the only case this has ever happened??), the music itself is masterful and absolutely gorgeous, nostalgic, beautiful. Many piano pieces in it but the strings are also important.

Even though I have this CD for some time & been enjoying it thoroughly, I haven't got anything else from the composer yet.

I'm a fan of his score for "Old Gringo"... a really excellent work.

Back at ya later