Weekend Film Screening - 29th March 2014 on Saturdays
In the world of classical music, this week is a celebration like no other. On March 29, 2014, from 5pm-7pm, a special show is airing as part of the Neville Marriner at 90 week on the website. This week-long celebration honours the illustrious career of Sir Neville Marriner, the renowned conductor and founder of the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
One of the highlights of this celebration is the first hour of the show, dedicated to movie music recorded by the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Among the soundtracks to be featured are those from The English Patient, David Copperfield, and Liaisons Dangereuses. But let's take a step back and delve into the Academy's most iconic soundtrack – the one for the film Amadeus, released in 1984.
The Amadeus soundtrack, a bestseller and one of the most popular classical music albums ever, primarily consists of music composed by Mozart. However, it does feature a few exceptions – an early Hungarian folk tune and the final movement of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner, newly recorded all the music for the original soundtrack to the film Amadeus. Interestingly, Sir Neville Marriner agreed to score the film under the condition that Mozart's music remained unchanged from its original versions.
The film Amadeus tells the story of the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, and the music added to the film by Sir Neville Marriner is noticeable at the beginning of the film during Salieri's confession. The notes, added by Sir Neville himself to Salieri's music, add an extra layer of emotion and tension to the scene.
The Amadeus soundtrack album has left a lasting impact on the world of classical music. Its popularity has introduced Mozart's music to a whole new generation, and its enduring appeal continues to resonate with audiences today. Tune in to the special show this week to hear these timeless melodies and celebrate the career of Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
