Great Composers: Georges Delerue

French composer Georges Delerue is probably the most unknown of the great film music composers. Or at least high on that list. He, and his music, is rarely discussed among film music fans on the Internet and while many probably are familiar with his music I suspect that an even greater number has yet to discover this amazing composer and take his music to their hearts. And hopefully Varése Sarabande's 2 CD compilation Great Composers: Georges Delerue can help.

Delerue's music is above all melodic. When it comes to themes the composer undeniably was a true master and when listening to this compilation I am simply amazed by the sheer beauty of them all. His style was mostly very lighthearted and romantic, such as the wonderful music for Rich and Famous, Memories of Me and Steel Magnolias. But he also wrote music filled with tragedy and sorrow, such as the gorgeous music for Oliver Stone's Platoon. It's hard to pick any favorites, but this music is some of the best of his career, together with the divine music for Agnes of God, on this compilation represented by a nine minute suite on the second disc, which probably will sound familiar to fans of John Williams' score for Spielberg's Hook. Especially the lovely "The Face of Pan", which in many ways is a carbon copy of Delerue's score. Also worth mentioning is the lengthy suite from Something Wicked This Way Comes, in case someone thinks that Delerue only was capable of writing slow, romantic music. Quite dark and dramatic, it's hard to understand why this music was replaced by a score by the then relatively unknown James Horner, whose music for the film in many ways is less effective and attractive than Delerue's.

All music on this compilation is conducted by Delerue himself, the majority of the selections recorded especially for Varése Sarabande in London, back in 1989 a couple of years before the composer passed away, and previously available on the London Session discs released by the label. The booklet includes lengthy notes by Robert Townson, with information about the films and their scores.

If you still haven't discovered the music of Georges Delerue, this compilation is a must have. If you already are familiar with his music, this compilation is a must have anyway. You'll get two and a half hour of some of the most beautiful film music ever written. I wish my life came with a score by Delerue.