In Ryko's series with publications of soundtracks from the archives of MGM / United Artists is now finally before the long-sought music to Guy Hamilton's World War II epic Battle of Britain with Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard and Curd Jürgens in the lead roles. Ron Goodwin's score has only been on the out-EMI CD (CDP 4865 79 2) available. This CD of Ryko now offers for the first time next to Goodwin's score also the score of Sir William Walton. The special thing about it is that the original tapes until recently were considered lost. Ryko's presentation is top notch once again, next to the music part, the CD also contains an enhanced CD section with the original trailer of the movie. The booklet is not a foldable Posters more but in normal format, which many soundtrack fans are likely to welcome. But now the music: Ron Goodwin's share is well known and may well be referred to as a classic already. Especially his heroic "Battle Of Britain Theme" and the "Ace High March" at the beginning of the CD are the best-known pieces of scores, are always skillfully varied in the other tracks ("Hitler's Headquarters" for example). Sir William Walton's share is far less heroic and offers at the beginning, although a "March Introduction" & "Battle Of Britain March", but it is completely different from Goodwin's march. Walton's composition has a more sophisticated and interesting, almost like a symphony or an overture to an opera. The Scherzo "Gay Berlin" represents a high point in the composition is so easily elated, so this piece is almost like a waltz, you forget almost that it is a war movie The two scores are in a rather stark contrast to each other.: Firstly Goodwin's score, characterized by heroic marches, on the other hand, William Walton's Symphony-like score, without any pathos, glamor and style. It is precisely this contrast makes the compilation on this CD so appealing.
