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| Written by: Volker Hannemann, Kornwestheim, Germany | Date: 21.11.2017 |
 Over the last decades, James Fitzpatrick has done a lot of new recordings of
classic film scores, including many of Miklos Rozsa’s works including “El
Cid” and lately “Ben-Hur”. On November 15th 2017, a fascinating new project was born which might be of interest to readers of this website. On request of many fans, music producer James Fitzpatrick (Tadlow Music) is willing to make a new recording of Miklos Rozsa’s complete score to “KING OF KINGS”, the 1961 Super Technirama 70mm epic about Jesus Christ, starring Jeffrey Hunter and directed by Nicholas Ray – provided that it can be financed. Hungarian born composer Miklos Rozsa (1907 – 1995) has left quiet a remarkable musical work behind him, including concert and chamber works. Among film enthusiasts he is well known for his excellent film scores for which he received 3 Academy Awards (“A Double Life”, “Spellbound” and “Ben-Hur”). Miklos Rozsa’s magnificent score for “King Of Kings” was written for a 96 piece symphony orchestra and an 80 voice choir and is one of Rozsa’s finest works for the cinema. It has been released on vinyl and CD before several times, including a 2-CD-set with all the original tracks. Unfortunately, the quality of this recording lacks much in clarity and even is distorted by a certain degree. Many film music fans have expressed their wish to have a new complete “King of Kings” recording. Many of them have contacted and asked James Fitzpatrick to do it. Finally, they have been heard. Over the last decades, James Fitzpatrick has done a lot of new recordings of classic film scores, including many of Miklos Rozsa’s works (“The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”, “El Cid”, “Sodom & Gomorrah”, “Quo Vadis”, “The Thief Of Baghdad” and lately “Ben-Hur”). All of these albums were recorded in Prague at Smecky Music Studio with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus conducted by maestro Nic Raine. All have been very well received by film music lovers worldwide. The authenticity of these recordings is proof of the highly skilled team behind James Fitzpatrick. Of course, re-recordings of such an epic scale like “King of Kings” cost a lot of money. Too much for a small label like Tadlow to finance it on its own. So, where then to get the money from? Set up a Kickstarter project and ask the fans! |
More in 70mm reading: Tricky Hollywood... Remembering Miklós Rózsa Complete score of "The Great Race" Ben-Hur: The Complete Soundtrack Collection Internet link: kickstarter.com |
What is Kickstarter? |
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 Miklos Rozsa’s magnificent score for “King Of Kings” was written for a 96 piece
symphony orchestra and an 80 voice choir and is one of Rozsa’s finest
works for the cinema. Kickstarter is a so called crowd funding platform. Projects can be financed through it by getting donations from anybody who wants to contribute to the project. You can donate any amount you want. And there are even rewards given to donators from the project responsibles, often things money cannot buy, depending on the amount donated. To be a donator you have to register with Kickstarter on their website, leaving your address details and of course your credit card info. But don’t worry: Your credit card will only be charged if the project succeeds, i.e. if the financial goal is reached. Otherwise they will not take any money from you. (Note: Having helped quiet a couple of projects throughout the last years, I can say that my experience with Kickstarter is very, very good). But the time is limited: Kickstarter projects will end latest after 60 days. If the amount pledged for is not reached at the end, the project dies. The Kickstarter project for “KING OF KINGS” has a financial goal of 40.000 Ł (the recording itself will cost about 80.000 Ł, of which Tadlow Music will provide 50%) and ends on January 4, 2018 at 09:28 am CET. Till this date the pledged amount of 40.000 Ł must be reached. This is an appeal to all of you to support this project! But why should you contribute to this project? Maybe you love classic film scores, or maybe you are a fan of Miklos Rozsa, or maybe you like big biblical 70mm epics? Whatever reason it might be to get you onboard of this fascinating project, you can be sure to contribute to something of value! So, please donate and share. For many more details about this project, including some videos, please visit this site |
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