The Magnificent Seven

• Artist: Elmer Bernstein
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1960
• Type: Soundtrack
• Genre: Soundtrack

Review

Varese Sarabande's reissue of Elmer Bernstein's original score recording for The Magnificent Seven is virtually identical to Rykodisc's 1998-vintage CD, except that it lacks the HDCD logo and includes fresh annotation that gives a fuller, more accurate account of the evolution of the movie and the score. The disc is still extremely impressive sonically, with a healthy, close, loud sound, with an astonishingly vivid guitar in the mix, and nicely dimensional stereo separation as well. Considering that it was never supposed to be heard fully exposed this way, and that the recordings were misplaced for more than three decades, the CD holds up well as a free-standing release and would probably please fans of Aaron Copland's music as well as movie music enthusiasts. Bernstein always considered Copland his mentor and regarded the music for this movie as very much as "collaboration" in spirit with the older composer, and the nuances revealed on the fully exposed recording only bear this out further. It must be pointed out, however, that as good as this material is, some listeners may prefer the James Sedares recording with the Phoenix Symphony on Koch, which is more finely nuanced and a completely modern recording balanced down to the last detail for contemporary listeners (and also has, as a bonus, Bernstein's overture and title music for The Hallelujah Trail). But for those who want the original, in all of its fiery glory, this is a perfectly fine CD release that also explains a lot of history behind the movie and its makers and its score. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Main Title and Calvera	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:56)
Council	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:14)
Quest	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:00)
Strange Funeral/After the Brawl	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(6:47)
Vin's Luck	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(2:02)
And Then There Were Two	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:45)
Fiesta	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:11)
Stalking	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:19)
Worst Shot	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:02)
The Journey	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(4:38)
Toro	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:23)
Training	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:27)
Calvera's Return	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(2:37)
Calvera Routed	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(1:49)
Ambush	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:09)
Petra's Declaration	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(2:29)
Bernardo	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:33)
Surprise	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(2:07)
Defeat	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:26)
Crossroads	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(4:46)
Harry's Mistake	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(2:48)
Calvera Killed	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:33)
Finale	Elmer Bernstein	Elmer Bernstein	(3:26)

Credits

Elmer Bernstein (Conductor), Jack Hayes (Orchestration), Robert Townson (Executive Producer), Jerry McCulley (Liner Notes), Erick Labson (Mastering), Leo Shuken (Orchestration), Emilie A. Bernstein (Producer)