At a time when original soundtrack albums of film scores will often give us every note composed (includng out takes) we tend to forget that at one time music lovers had to be satisfied with a brief excerpt or two. This cd is a fine collection of music from mostly British films from the mid 1930's to the late 1940's which for the most part were first recordings of these works. The most extensive excerts are from Bliss' very fine score for one of the greatest science fiction movies ever made , "Things To Come". The March and Epilogue are conducted by Muir Mathieson while the other 4 items are with the composer. Rozsa's Spellbound Concerto is heard in a little under 4 minute version (the limit for a 78rpm LP) that concentrates on the main theme. The performance of the Warsaw Concerto features Hungarian pianist Louis Kentner who played the piano part for the film in which the work was used. This is really a fine and varied collection that has been nicely remastered from pretty clean 78's by Peter Dempsey. In some cases one can hear a little surface noise but it was wisely decided that it was better to have that than ruin the sound quality. They of course cannot match modern recordings but it is amazing how clear and full bodied they are. Extensive notes with information on the original source and recording dates for the recordings.
