Elmer Bernstein - Scarlet Letter (Rejected Score)

Here's one of Elmer Bernstein's most colorful, lavish and accomplished scores of his later career--and it ended up being rejected in lieu of a more generic, boring and underwhelming John Barry effort (supposedly, Bernstein actually wrote a letter to actress-producer Demi Moore, thanking her for rejecting the score so he could use it in a better movie!). Lush themes, mysterioso vocal work, adventurous actin music and a soaring love theme (as heard at the close of the video) are among the highlights of this superb effort. This suite features just a few of many highlights. Enjoy this rare, exquisite effort!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elmer Bernstein
• Score
• Soundtrack

[vroota42]

Well, if a film goes through three different composers, it must be crap.

[UFOSPACE1999]

@Russell230870 Bernstein was let go....and when he fired and John Barry was hired....Bernstein sent Barry a letter thanking him!!! lol. THEY...meaning Dinty Moore and others didn't want Bernstein...also Enno Marconine was attached also...THEY always wanted Barry to compose the score...IT IS a dreary film...Dinty Moore is miscast...When the score is better than the film...run and hide.

[bearsdenoboe]

I have been searching for this score for years. I was actually the English Horn / Cor Anglais player on the London sessions, and we had a wonderful week in the studios with Elmer Bernstein in his (more) genial maturity! Haunting work, with ravishing duets for the uniquely imaginative combination of Uilleann pipes and E.H..

Desolated it was not acceptable to the producer! Please, where did you find this, and how do we get to hear / save the rest of the score? Can you post a link – or some more?

[smokeddirky]

Sounds like a 60's western. Dated and inappropriate for the style and time this movie was set.

[KriBlackRoson]

totally agree with him =D

[Russell230870]

I can't believe the poster called Barrys work boring! Barry had more talent in his little finger than Bernstein ever did

[roseijaz]

This is astonishing!.Though I prefer the John Berry score for that particular movie, that doesn't diminish the beauty of this piece.

[matbso]

excelente

[Tripp393]

pretty