Max Steiner: King Kong Complete 1933 Film Score – Naxos Film Music Classics CD

• UPC: 747313270020
• Product Type: Music CD
• Brand Name: Naxos
• MPN: 8.557700
• Genre: Classical / Stage & Screen
• Style: Film Score / Soundtrack
• Composer: Max Steiner (1888–1971)
• Conductor: William Stromberg
• Orchestra: Moscow Symphony Orchestra
• Release Year: 2005 (Recording P 1997, C 2005)

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, Single Disc
• Playing Time: 72:19
• Recording Type: DDD (Full Digital Recording)
• Restoration: Score restoration and reconstruction by John Morgan
• Origin: Made in Canada

Overview

Relive the sheer power and groundbreaking innovation of one of cinema's most influential soundtracks with the Naxos release of Max Steiner’s King Kong. This 1933 masterpiece is widely considered the "grandfather" of the modern film score, utilizing a full symphonic approach to heighten the drama of Skull Island and the tragic fall of the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

This complete recording features the meticulous restoration and reconstruction by John Morgan, bringing Steiner's original vision to life with modern digital clarity. Performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra under the baton of William Stromberg, this disc captures every thunderous brass call and eerie jungle rhythm of the historic production. This version includes several cues and arrangements, such as the King Kong March, that provide a comprehensive listening experience of the 1933 epic.

Interesting Facts

• The Father of Film Music: Max Steiner is often credited with inventing the symphonic film score; before King Kong, most films used very little original music.
• A Modern Resurrection: Because many original scores from the 1930s were lost or incomplete, John Morgan spent months reconstructed this work by ear and from surviving sketches to ensure every note was historically accurate.
• Russian Recording: The sessions took place at the Mosfilm Studio in Moscow, Russia, in October 1996.
• The Beauty and the Beast: The finale track includes the iconic musical resolution to the famous closing line, "It was beauty killed the beast".
• Extensive Liner Notes: The CD includes detailed music notes by Jack Smith, providing deep historical context for the film and its legendary composer.

Track Listing

1. Main Title – 2:09
2. A Boat in the Fog – 1:37
3. The Island—The Railing – 3:32
4. Jungle Dance – 2:34
5. Meeting with the Black Men (punia! casco!!) – 3:26
6. The Little Monkey Escapes – 1:15
7. Sea at Night—Forgotten Island – 3:39
8. Aboriginal Sacrificial Dance – 3:49
9. Entrance of Kong—The Sailors—Stegosaurus – 7:04
10. The Bronte – 5:44
11. Log Sequence – 1:21
12. Cryptic Shadows – 1:47
13. Stolen Love—The Cave – 4:40
14. The Snake—The Bird—The Swimmers – 7:38
15. The Return – 1:29
16. “Hey Look Out! It’s Kong, Kong’s Coming!” – 4:50
17. King Kong March (arr. Lennie Moore) – 3:13
18. Fanfares 1, 2, 3 – 0:50
19. Kong Escapes – 4:27
20. Elevated Train Sequence – 2:04
21. Aeroplanes – 2:08
22. Finale (“It was Beauty Killed the Beast”) – 3:03

Publishers

• Label: Naxos Rights International Ltd.
• Producer: Betta International
• Design: Ron Hoares

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