The Innocents Abroad & other Mark Twain films

"Hollywood loves to make films about the stories of Mark Twain and for good reason. At least growing up for me and millions of others, Huckleberry Finn adventures were as well read as Superman comic books! Composers such as Bill Conti, Max Steiner and Jerome Moross have written wonderful scores all with their unique interpretation of Tom, Huck, and life on the Mississippi and now please add to the list William Perry, who in addition to Huckleberry Finn, has written works for (5) other Mark Twain stories.

While it was new to me, all of this material was previously released in the 1980's on the Premier Recording Label (PRCD1015) entitled "Life on the Mississippi: The Film Music of William Perry". Naxos, with a much wider distribution, has reintroduced this material and hopefully many more will have the opportunity to enjoy this material.

All of this material was done for television, released through PBS and other major outlets in the world, from 1980 to 1985 and starring the likes of Geraldine Page, Ken Howard, Lillian Gish, Robert Lansing, David Ogden Stiers, and many many others. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn features as you might expect an expansive main theme in "Opening Music, St. Petersburg", bringing visions of America in its early days. The main theme, which is now known as When Out On The River, is also featured in the "End Credit Music" in a similiar arrangement. "The Raftsmen" features the fine harmonica work of Richard Hayman as well as an abundance of percussion and rhythm in a rollicking foot stomping melody. Don't look too much for strings on this track as there is very little to be found. Pudd'nhead Wilson has only one selection but it is certainly a good one. Featuring the oboe d'amore and a wordless choir it is a lasting melody that easily puts one in a mood of tranquility. Life On The Mississippi, is a biographical sketch of a young Samuel Clemens and his learning how to pilot a Mississippi riverboat. Perry weaves a good story through his music depicting the splendor of this huge body of water. The (5) tracks range from a tranquil scene to a turn of the century waltz to a little disaster music albiet quite conservative in comparision to what is written today. The Innocents Abroad is a virtual travelog of musical styles that one could liken to Young's Around The World In 80 Days. Italy, France, America, Greece, and Egypt are all represented in this 9 track suite. The Private History of a Campaign That Failed tells the story of the Civil War in a 4 track suite with a poignant flugelhorn solo in "Lorena". The Mysterious Stranger, the final film on this CD features a bit of ancient mystic music along with the Vienna Boys Choir.

The majority of this music is written in a rather conservative style with nothing groundbreaking about it at all. Still, it is quite a pleasant listen which has grown on the reviewer with repeated plays. "The Raftsmen" is an exceptional piece and one that should be included in your playlist on your MP3 player. This is a nice CD to add to your collection given the exceptional value that Naxos is in the marketplace. Highly recommended."
--Review by sdtom.wordpress.com

THE SIX MARK TWAIN FILMS IN this recording present a series of exciting challenges in the variety and range of their musical requirements. THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER is set in medieval Austria and contains elements of mysticism and other-worldly dreams. THE INNOCENTS ABROAD takes place in 19th century California, Paris, Genoa, Venice, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Athens, the Crimea and Cairo, with each location calling for characteristic musical backgrounds. PUDD'NHEAD WILSON is a murder drama built around themes of slavery and misidentification. LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI evokes the by-gone days of riverboat traffic on the mighty Mississippi. THE PRIVATE HISTORY OF A CAMPAIGN THAT FAILED carries a compelling anti-war message drawn from events in the Civil and Spanish- American Wars. ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN is, quite simply, the most famous book in American literature.