The timeless theme composed by David Raksin for the 1944 film "Laura", with the Classic FM Orchestra conducted by John McLaughlin Williams in Sofia, Bulgaria.
My name is Laura, and each year on my birthday, I play the soundtrack. It MADE my birthday this year to discover this recording and play it several times in my kitchen as I did various things. What I especially love is that the various instruments are featured when we hear them. Bravo!
Laura, thank you very much for your warm and kind remarks. I am thrilled that the performance spoke so strongly to you. If you haven't seen it in a while, watch the movie; it's still great.
Laura-1944 such an iconic film noir but yet love story at the same time and that's exactly what David Raksin caught in this beautiful masterpiece of Hollywood film noir music. This song is and forever will be a classic/legend to Hollywood
Watching the musicians play this wonderful music was truly uplifting - they, like me as a mere listener, seemed very moved by what they were playing...
A classic film, with a timeless score, The Legendary Dark Irish beauty of Gene Tierney, & a 40's classic film. the 1st time I saw it, I was totally in love with her, too. ---------------WolfSky9, 71 y/o
The camera man gives the blackhaired flautist a lot of coverage. I can see why, she's a stunner. By the way, one of my favourite pieces of music, so haunting.
Beautiful. grand, haunting, and classy.. wonderful conduction and orchestra. This same orchestration was used for a documentary about the Loew's Kings theater, a grand ornate movie palace.
The pinnacle of sheer timeless beauty. Get lost in the haunting melody and let all the emotions bring out the tears from absolute joy. What a perfect performance. Thank you for making this available to us.
Amazing, interpretation a very Dramatic & Sexy song, you can not help but being dragged by the music, the sound of the viola & violin just like a leaf is dragged by the wind.
What an orchestration. The arrangement the direction OMG its a great great piece of american music anyway. I try to find as a many different performances as possible.
The music is paranormal..a trip into a beautiful netherworld........part of our memories..and all of us, always yearining to return to this beautiful place in time where we all began our spiritual journey.
Ran, thank you very much! That means a lot coming from you. Laura is a masterpiece but I may be of the minority opinion that "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Force of Evil" are equally great. BTW, I remember you well; you were on the faculty at NEC when I was a student there. Thanks for listening.
When it comes to music, the world has really become a global village thanks to the Internet and especially YT. The musicality of Bulgarian performers does not surprise me because I've been an avid fan of Bulgarian female choirs since the 1980's.
Are you kidding?? The complexity of this haunting film score was anything but. I loved the way you started it out out so subtly, then into the opening stanza, then into a surprisingly bright waltz tempo, and finally into the sweeping crescendo of the main melody again... crazy good. I call this kind of film music "atmospheric," and the way you managed to capture that aspect of this film noir classic was really without peer. When you combine this fantastic score with this amazing orchestra and your truly inspired and sensitive conducting, you have something truly special. As the old saying goes, "They don't make movie music like this anymore. " THANK YOU FOR POSTING!!!
I'm only being honest. Of all the many versions of this classic tune I've heard on YT, I think that your's is probably the finest, far above most mere mortals. That dissonant, haunting intro, from top to bottom-it's that good. All the best.
The concert had music from The Magnificent Seven, Ben-Hur, Home Alone, 1492, Taras Bulba, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spartacus, Schindler's List, and Gone With the Wind.
. . Canciòn bellisima. En España la canto Nino Bravo, pero falleciò en accidente de coche a los 28. La canciòn era Frank Sinatra vs Nino Bravo. Nino Bravo, la mejor voz del Planeta!!!!!
Laura, is the face in the misty light. Foot steps as you hear down the hall. A laugh that floats on a summer night that you can never quite recall. And you see Laura, on the train that is passing through. Those eyes how familiar they seem. She gave your very first kiss to you. That was Laura, but she's only a dream. ---- Thank you Mr Mercer
Sr. Minaciosa, no contesto video porque Ud. no responde a los comentario en español. Yo le escucho todos los dias, soy fan suya. busque a alguien que le traduzca, Un saludo, y buen dia,
You may be interested in the reasoning behind my choice of tempo. The original orchestration is steeped in the klangfarben technique of the 2nd Viennese School. The score itself is quite complex; it looks very similar to the early scores of Webern and Schoenberg. (You may remember that Raksin studied with Schoenberg.) A slower tempo allows the constantly shifting color aspect of this music to emerge, and helps each metamorphosis (harmonic and coloristic) to melt into the next. This also makes for great contrast with the theme as it is later played in waltz style, setting it up for the modest peroration that closes the piece. A faster tempo brings an inevitable association with the theme in its popular music manifestations, which is precisely what I wanted to avoid. For me this creates a far more atmospheric performance, which echoes the noir feel of the film.
@@robertvanruyssevelt7159 Reasonable people can disagree. My point was to emphasize the composition's relationship with the Second Viennese School as epitomized by certain early works of Schoenberg and Webern, particularly the latter's Im Sommerwind, and in this approach, I am echoing JohnWilliams' way with this music. I played this very version with him and the Boston Pops on more than a single occasion and during the rehearsal, he stated clearly that the work had strong ties to his studies with AS and the ethos of the early SVS. Somehow, I think Williams would know. Your example is merely a different approach and quite fine for that. There is no single way it should be done, which is true of all great music.
![Erroll Garner - Laura [Jazz 625]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sRA-WV01Ogk/mqdefault.jpg)
My youngest daughter is Laura, born 39 years after the film and this music, all so very beautiful and special.
The timeless Irish beauty of Gene Tierney -----------and David Raskin's classic score.
My name is Laura, and each year on my birthday, I play the soundtrack. It MADE my birthday this year to discover this recording and play it several times in my kitchen as I did various things. What I especially love is that the various instruments are featured when we hear them. Bravo!
Laura, thank you very much for your warm and kind remarks. I am thrilled that the performance spoke so strongly to you. If you haven't seen it in a while, watch the movie; it's still great.
@@minacciosa I have the movie, but need to watch it again!
One of my faves. The music goes through a number of transformations, all very interesting.
Fell in love with a Laura Williams back in 1982.
@@gispel7058 Frank Sinatra vs Nino Bravo, Laura
th-cam.com/video/Eur8ZAAwNpU/w-d-xo.html
Laura-1944 such an iconic film noir but yet love story at the same time and that's exactly what David Raksin caught in this beautiful masterpiece of Hollywood film noir music. This song is and forever will be a classic/legend to Hollywood
Marcus Gomez kk
Absolutely fantastic. Well said. Somethings are so perfect words are cannot convey the sheer beauty of this masterpiece
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. "LAURA" WAS MY DAD"S ALL TIME FAVORITE SONG . THANKS FOR POSTING IT UP.
Absolutely beautiful and one of my favorite movie themes. It takes you back to another time.
Amen to that!
good to see there is one black conductor in the world !
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Watching the musicians play this wonderful music was truly uplifting - they, like me as a mere listener, seemed very moved by what they were playing...
El. Otro día paseando tranquila ☺️ , sosegadamente me. Acordé de la película. Y de esta música.
A classic film, with a timeless score, The Legendary Dark Irish beauty of Gene Tierney, & a 40's classic film. the 1st time I saw it, I was totally in love with her, too. ---------------WolfSky9, 71 y/o
The camera man gives the blackhaired flautist a lot of coverage. I can see why, she's a stunner. By the way, one of my favourite pieces of music, so haunting.
Beautiful. grand, haunting, and classy.. wonderful conduction and orchestra. This same orchestration was used for a documentary about the Loew's Kings theater, a grand ornate movie palace.
Love this theme. Our daughter is called Laura. Not named after the film or the theme, but it all seems to work out OK!
Beautiful
The pinnacle of sheer timeless beauty. Get lost in the haunting melody and let all the emotions bring out the tears from absolute joy. What a perfect performance. Thank you for making this available to us.
Chauncy Washington Thank you very much!
Hauntingly beautiful. Perfect score for the movie of the genre. Film noir was made for this timeless music and fantastic acting
Beatiful grand,hauting an classy..wonderful conduction and Orchesta,,....maestro Muy bien, soy española!!!!
I love this arrangement, because it's telling a story of an emotional awakening.
Superb. Wonderful conductor and musicians for an outstanding composition.
Amazing, interpretation a very Dramatic & Sexy song, you can not help but being dragged by the music, the sound of the viola & violin just like a leaf is dragged by the wind.
So sweet...Magnificent version...
Excellent performance of this timeless film classic theme!
I got goosebumps!Next will be Bernard Herrmann Taxi Driver theme.... I hope....
Wonderful, I really enjoyed this. Kudos to John McLaughlin Williams - he is truly outstanding!
The flautist that makes the song come to life. Between the superb acting, script, costumes, theme the 1944 movie Laura is just exceptional.
Monsieur, vous me faites rêver.
Merci! This music makes us all dream.
Maravilhoso! Amo essa música. Linda orquestra. ❤
ABSOLUTILEI BEAUTIFUL MISTER
What an exquisitely arranged and performed version of “Laura”!
INSUPERABLE !!!
Preciosa canciòn, preciosa y màs con Banda Sinfónica, estoy enamorada de este tema por siempre,
Elegant performance and handsome videography. Bravo!
Complimenti maestro! ottima esecuzione e meravigliosa orchestrazione
Thank you very much.
Theme Beautifull!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful! I have no words. Thank you!
Thank you!
INSUPERABLE !!!!!!!
Great performance. Outstanding arrangement!!!
Mary que música linda,
3:25 chills
This music should be rated PG, it’s very sexy! Wonderful performance and interaction with the orchestra!
Excellent score David Raksin . Thank you !
Make the classical music crazy again!
Superb!
Wonderful!!!
My favorite movie theme and song of all time. I love to hear SINATRA, Johnny Mathis, Miss ELLA or Vic Damone sing the LAURA song.💌
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer. He wrote everything beautiful in music.
Spectacular.
Beautiful mister.
Minacciosa, I love you, for the music !!!!!!Desde Valencia SPAIN.
Maravillosa interpretaciòn, mùsicos y director,.
My most absolutely favorite song; performed perfectly! Thank you!
Thank you!
Beautifully done. ---------A film score, & a woman so gorgeous, so haunting, she--- like this music, is simply unforgettable. -------------Wolfsky9
Es un bellisimo tema Laura digno d una mujer hermosa llamada Laura
One of the most haunting and moving pieces of music l have ever heard...
What an orchestration. The arrangement the direction OMG its a great great piece of american music anyway. I try to find as a many different performances as possible.
Here is a nice one: th-cam.com/video/cPxhmoTT2zY/w-d-xo.html
@@robertvanruyssevelt7159 Thanks Robert. Indeed a great piece of music. Can't go wrong with this Raskin masterpiece.
La película es de una belleza muy particular
Love the music!! Beautiful, so romantjc
Beautifbul... Beautifbul !!!!!!!!
Beautifbul !!!
「Laura」は easy listening 曲の最高峰です 🥰😍
The music is paranormal..a trip into a beautiful netherworld........part of our memories..and all of us, always yearining to return to this beautiful place in time where we all began our spiritual journey.
So great to hear conductor and orchestra do David s masterlpce
Ran, thank you very much! That means a lot coming from you. Laura is a masterpiece but I may be of the minority opinion that "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Force of Evil" are equally great. BTW, I remember you well; you were on the faculty at NEC when I was a student there. Thanks for listening.
Bravo!
Sr. Director de Laura una pieza imprescindible para mi. Saludo Minacciosa.
Grande es mi soledad sin ella,trizteza duele !!!pero que bonito es el dolor;!!!!
This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard, I had a heart attack when I couldn't find it
70 years ago I used to hear this music every day. Stil listening !!!
Me toooo
Not the most beautiful yet. Just have Charlie Parker playing on it and then it would be...
@@karvakeisari9359 nobody is bird.
But check version by Jeanne Lee
Estupenda interpretaciòn musicos y Director.
Thank you! As always, I credit the orchestra musicians with helping me to make the music come alive.
@@minacciosa Thank you MAESTRO !!!
Superrrrr bravoooo
Una de las versiones más finas que he oído junto a la de Robert Farnon
When it comes to music, the world has really become a global village thanks to the Internet and especially YT. The musicality of Bulgarian performers does not surprise me because I've been an avid fan of Bulgarian female choirs since the 1980's.
Música de gran : Belleza,elegancia,sutileza, que emociona profundamente
Thank you!
PRECIOSO !!!!!!!!!!!!
Freaking GORGEOUS. BRAVO!!!
Thank you! It was a privilege to perform this special music. As simple as it sounds, it is actually quite complex. Thank you for listening. - JMW
Are you kidding?? The complexity of this haunting film score was anything but. I loved the way you started it out out so subtly, then into the opening stanza, then into a surprisingly bright waltz tempo, and finally into the sweeping crescendo of the main melody again... crazy good. I call this kind of film music "atmospheric," and the way you managed to capture that aspect of this film noir classic was really without peer. When you combine this fantastic score with this amazing orchestra and your truly inspired and sensitive conducting, you have something truly special. As the old saying goes, "They don't make movie music like this anymore. " THANK YOU FOR POSTING!!!
You are very kind, Thank you!
I'm only being honest. Of all the many versions of this classic tune I've heard on YT, I think that your's is probably the finest, far above most mere mortals. That dissonant, haunting intro, from top to bottom-it's that good. All the best.
G-Hautentingly beautiful. Perfect scorethe memory of the gendre. Soy Spanis.
i
Thank you!
Those Bulgarian female violinists are all very good looking, and very talented. Just one man's opinion.
Tom Kochmann I can only agree!
Hermoso
FELICIDADES ORQUESTA Y DIRECTOR !!!!!
Hello !!!!
Magnificent, like the guy below, I love The Bad and the Beautiful Theme just as much. Would you be able to do that one day?
I plan to, definitely.
TODO EXPECTACULAR __MINACCOSA__ Guay,
OOOOOHHHH!!! Con la boca abierta estoy. Saludos desde Spain.
Thanks!
What a beautiful melody whose wife left him the date he came up with this great tune
AMAZING! Stunning performance! Did you record The Bad and the Beautiful by Raksin as well?
I wish! I like that music even more than Laura.
'Love is for the Very Young.." the actual title of that other enchanting song...(my thought exactly!) xoxox
Provalvemente a musica mais misteriosa da historia do cinema,e combina perfeitamente c o filme,o que e raro!
Sim, eu concordo.
Excellent. Are these the movie original arrangements ?
This is Raksin's revision of his original version. The revisions are touches in the orchestration here and there.
Thanks for listening!
You're welcome.. Thank you for this rendition.. It's breathtaking
Absolutely wonderful. Is the full video of this concert available or at least a program for the event?
The entire concert isn't on TH-cam, but you can see another excerpt here: th-cam.com/video/oy4Qx97wAoQ/w-d-xo.html
The concert had music from The Magnificent Seven, Ben-Hur, Home Alone, 1492, Taras Bulba, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spartacus, Schindler's List, and Gone With the Wind.
That sounds like a concert I would have loved.. Who is the trombone soloist in this beautiful rendition of Laura? He's excellent.
anyone knows if there's any recording like this one? Would love to find a contemporary recording of this arrangement with decent sound quality!!
+Jiwpgakis I don't think there is a recent one, but the old RCA Film Classics recording conducted by Raksin himself is still available.
+minacciosa found it, thank you very much! And this is a really great performance, too
. .
Canciòn bellisima. En España la canto Nino Bravo, pero falleciò en accidente de coche a los 28. La canciòn era Frank Sinatra vs Nino Bravo. Nino Bravo, la mejor voz del Planeta!!!!!
BAVO.... OLÉ !!!!!!
Magnífico. Sem contar a beleza das mulheres...
The lyrics by Johhny Mercer are equally beautiful.
Laura, is the face in the misty light. Foot steps as you hear down the hall. A laugh that floats on a summer night that you can never quite recall. And you see Laura, on the train that is passing through. Those eyes how familiar they seem. She gave your very first kiss to you. That was Laura, but she's only a dream. ---- Thank you Mr Mercer
Sr. Minaciosa, no contesto video porque Ud. no responde a los comentario en español. Yo le escucho todos los dias, soy fan suya. busque a alguien que le traduzca, Un saludo, y buen dia,
Thank you!
@@minacciosa HI.
Consola
dont mess with the beautiful melody. play it straight. embellish but dont alter. finally towards the end its right.
Try listening to the sound track.
Ll
Nice but intro too long
I agree far too long.
You may be interested in the reasoning behind my choice of tempo. The original orchestration is steeped in the klangfarben technique of the 2nd Viennese School. The score itself is quite complex; it looks very similar to the early scores of Webern and Schoenberg. (You may remember that Raksin studied with Schoenberg.) A slower tempo allows the constantly shifting color aspect of this music to emerge, and helps each metamorphosis (harmonic and coloristic) to melt into the next. This also makes for great contrast with the theme as it is later played in waltz style, setting it up for the modest peroration that closes the piece. A faster tempo brings an inevitable association with the theme in its popular music manifestations, which is precisely what I wanted to avoid. For me this creates a far more atmospheric performance, which echoes the noir feel of the film.
+minacciosa Bravo!
@@minacciosa Here is an appropriately paced version: th-cam.com/video/cPxhmoTT2zY/w-d-xo.html
@@robertvanruyssevelt7159 Reasonable people can disagree. My point was to emphasize the composition's relationship with the Second Viennese School as epitomized by certain early works of Schoenberg and Webern, particularly the latter's Im Sommerwind, and in this approach, I am echoing JohnWilliams' way with this music. I played this very version with him and the Boston Pops on more than a single occasion and during the rehearsal, he stated clearly that the work had strong ties to his studies with AS and the ethos of the early SVS. Somehow, I think Williams would know. Your example is merely a different approach and quite fine for that. There is no single way it should be done, which is true of all great music.