Caldera Records release Christopher Gunning's original score for the 1997 television movie Rebecca. The film is directed by Jim O'Brien and stars Emilia Fox, Charles Dance, Faye Dunaway and Diana Rigg. It's based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier which had already been made into a successful movie by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940. It tells the tragic love story between a rich gentleman and his second wife who not only has to cope with an obsessive and evil housekeeper but also with the shadow of the first wife who obviously died under strange circumstances...

Christopher Gunning pulls out all the stops to turn in one of the most beautiful and intricate scores I've heard of late. I've been listening to this almost constantly over the past two weeks and every time I play it there are numerous moments where a shiver runs down my spine.

There are a number of themes, mostly designed for the film's different characters, but also composed to reflect the English countryside, woven throughout this score. While these are repeated quite frequently, this is never an issue as they are so deeply moving that they are always welcome when they make an appearance.

I couldn't help but be reminded of John Barry's work on films like Somewhere in Time and Out of Africa (most noticeable on 'The Proposal' and 'Max Enjoys His Estate'). Angela Morley's work on Watership Down (1978) also sprang into my mind on tracks like 'Max Enjoys His Estate'. And 'Conflict' brought to mind Ed Welch's 1978 score for The 39 Steps.

The album contains 21 tracks (54 min, 51 sec) and also includes an additional track (4 min, 46 sec) which is a commentary by the composer.

This is another impressive release from Caldera Records and certainly one that's worth adding to your soundtrack collection.

10

Darren Rea