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Written
by Other
musicians
Fairlight
CMI
- Like with Discovery, Mike used this as his main compositional tool
for The Killing Fields, this time in conjunction with a video
synchroniser that allowed the CMI's sequencer to run in sync with a
timecoded video tape. |
Morris Pert - After having contributed drums to Platinum, QE2 and Five Miles Out, Morris Pert returns here on percussion, the job he's perhaps better known for. Orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera - As the name suggests, the orchestra associated with the Bavarian State Opera, who are based in the National Theatre in Munich, Germany. Tölzer Boys Choir - A boys choir, also based in Munich. They have a website (available in German and English) which provides information on all aspects of the choir's work.
Other notes Though Mike found it interesting to work together with people who were creative in different fields from himself, he also found the exercise of writing music for the film frustrating. He worked for six months on the music, before going on tour. On returning, Mike found that the director wasn't happy with what he'd done, prompting Mike to ask for the extra budget for a choir and full orchestra. The producers agreed, so Mike worked for another three months on more music, together with arranger (and old friend) David Bedford, who also provided the piece 'The Year Zero'. A similar story tells of how Mike had just finished the music, when the director decided to re-cut the film, meaning that Mike had to go back and rework the music he had recorded. Mike didn't like the elements of compromise involved in producing the soundtrack, later saying that he was used to producing music simply to please himself rather than to please other people, like film directors (though it could be argued that there have been attempts by him to please his record companies at times). Étude is based on the piece for solo classical guitar, 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' (Memories of the Alhambra), by Spanish composer Francisco Tárrega. The piece wasn't originally intended for the film, but came out of a session with Morris Pert. Mike felt, after listening to it, that it had a feel of Cambodian music to it, so he included it in the film soundtrack, where it features beneath the closing credits. There are a few pieces of music by Mike in the film which didn't make it onto the album, the most famous of which being the part behind the 'darkroom' scene.
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The
Killing Fields
- Released
November 26th 1984
