Richard Rodney Bennett: Murder on the Orient Express

[@davidpowers7429]

Glorious! Brings me to tears. I treasured the original soundtrack album, when it was a new release in 1974. What a seamless work of art that movie was -- Sidney Lumet's adroit direction, Ingrid Bergman's Acadamy Award-winning, one-take monologue, Martin Balsam, playing straight to an unrecognizable Albert Finney, and the wry presence of Lauren "Betty" Bacall, to boot. It was the last gasp of a granduer and craftsmanship that harkend back to the golden age of Hollywood -- and Sir Richard's score was more than music; it was a lead character in the film. Bravo!

[@frogsleapmeda]

This has just got to be one of the most wonderful pieces of film music - among thousands - that has ever been written. Richard Rodney Bennett's theme for Murder on the Orient Express is exquisite. I've heard this piece hundreds of times and felt its power. Seeing it performed is emotional. One of the best arrangements I've heard.

[@glennsymonds-geniau5222]

I totally agree Adam.

[@alexkije]

I also TOTALLY agree!

[@JerseySurvivor]

I'll 'fourth' that. I remember hearing it in the theater on first release and thinking how elegant for such a Classic film. It has only gotten better with age. One of my two favorite pieces of film scoring--the other being Bennett's riff under Julie Christie's introduction in Billy Liar.

[@lucienbandet2568]

Adam Turner I totally agree with you. This is one of my favourite pieces of music and one of my favourite movies

[@christopherheath7340]

The Royal Academy of Music regarded him as the most talented composer of his generation.

[@lawrencecody4085]

This is one piece of film music that really makes me smile, and lifts my moods, when I hear it, I get goosebumps, when I see the film sequence with the music.. I get double goosebumps and my emotions go into overdrive. The film sequence is so beautifully executed..a stroke of genius on the part of R.R.Bennett..as a lover of railways and music..this is the most perfect combination of music and railways coming together..

[@johnsherman6718]

My sentiments exactly. Since I first watched the movie. It thrills me!

[@andynicholls517]

January 2021 and I still love this music. Very emotional.

[@sandralewis4190]

Beautiful tune as train leaves station love it

[@58christiansful]

Must be one of the most brilliant film soundtracks. Conveys both glamour and drama. Particularly like the piano at the start.

[@geoffwalker9392]

Bennett's technical mastery always leaves me speechless - every little detail is perfect!

[@simoncoxall3524]

How evocative. A masterpiece of film music...classy, vivid a complete joy... somehow a steam train departing will never be the same again. Thankyou

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

This proves without any doubt at all what a versatile composer Richard Rodney Bennett was. He could do it all, Jazz, Film, Chamber, Concertos, Symphonies and Orchestral. Some of it was very serious too. Terribly underestimated, but his legacy will live for ever.

[@TyneRiverGirl83]

One of my all time favourites and you see how much effort goes into creating it. So many different sections of the orchestra involved, it's breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.

[@iqbalzaidi353]

Incredible and elegant A true Hollywood classic Thanks for sharing

[@sidneyfrederickson3941]

The whole package, film and music, are an homage to a way of life and a style of film making that will never return. The era of hotel and steamship dance orchestras, of bands in train stations welcoming and sending off crack express trains, of 5 course dining car meals and steamer trunks and servants accompanying their employers in their journeys.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

& the wink & the nod to the whole era when the dining room musicians break into "On the Good Ship Lollipop"!

[@danshari5975]

A true masterpiece! Beautiful music for an awesome film!

[@CoplandFan51]

I think the part that starts at 3:15 is the best part of the soundtrack. It is a wonderful musical description of the Orient Express leaving the station to start its trip!! Wonderful tune!

[@102firefly]

Gordon, I totally agree with you!

[@rosedewittbukater4203]

@@102firefly John, and I totally agree with you!

[@phillipmcgough6282]

i agree. it's only of my favourites. it sounds like the train gotta train - let her loose please!

[@Sudobeast]

It sounds so magical!

[@simoncoxall3524]

I just love this... every mood conjured and conveyed... a beautiful ensemble to match that orchestrated for the movie ...what a haunting theme. Bathe in it... a class and depth rarely encountered since.

[@josefernandesvancouver5595]

Masterpiece! It almost brings me to tears every time I listen to it...

[@orca628]

I'm so relieved to know that I'm not the only one cry on this 😂

[@vintagebrew1057]

Me too.....

[@josefernandesvancouver5595]

@@orca628 oh, yes...

[@hilarywade687]

Me too

[@sallyoasispaintingsorigina3859]

Stunning!!!!! I ADORE this score…..so atmospheric and stirring…. I’d love to hear it at a future proms one day. 🎼🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎨

[@poshmum]

Fabulous score, wonderful film and homage to the glory days of classic film. Just wonderful.

[@sandralewis4190]

Beautifully music brilliant actors and actresses

[@chazmann108]

@4:10 when the music time signature turns into a waltz...spine chills. When I saw it in the movies as a kid in 1974, I went quietly crazy over this 3/4 time. Though there was otherwordly music in the murder scenes, with the blue lighting later on, but this introductory waltz was SO energizing, evocative and got everyone ready for what was to come. The impossible sadness of this train full of brokenhearted people was palpable but despite their loss - the ending left me in a state of recovery and joy for their successful revenge. This wonderful movie from the blockbuster era when films did not require superheroes beating the snot out of each other but never dying from their horrific injuries. Those were the days...gone forever. Everyone does remakes that can't hold a candle to the originals because originality is DEAD.

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

Have loved this music since I first saw the movie! At 3:10 the train's preparation and departure is my absolute favorite segment! I can see it in my mind just hearing it! Using 3/4 time for a steam engine getting under way is a stroke of inspiration!

[@Kinopanorama1]

+Coparroch o Your spelling is awful. That's a D -.

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

***** And you are rude. That's an F. I'm graciously omitting the last three letters.

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

***** I hope you'll ignore the post immediately following yours. Now, getting down to what you wrote, the gorgeous loco used on Murder… simply could do nothing else but waltz. Elegance personified. But before I saw that, most steam locos had "I-think-I-can-I-think-I-can" rhythms closely based on the chuff pattern that certain [double-compound?] stacks produced. Yet when I first heard MotOE's waltz I was immediately converted! It's been years since I watched Silver Streak. I'll watch it again with your comments in mind. Considering that the ending of that movie was before computer generated graphics could produce anything and do it totally believably, that is one fantastic crash that completes the movie! Have you seen photos of the runaway GG1 that sailed into Washington Union Station and fell through the floor just prior to Eisenhower's inauguration? I believe they built a false floor over it to get it out of sight and deal with it later.

[@Kinopanorama1]

Lawrence Keesler My Aunt was living in DC at the time of the PRR crash. She remembered it well.

[@Organgrinder1010]

+Coparroch o Your English is far and away better than my Spanish. There is a running joke: "Trilingual" - fluent in three languages; "Bilingual" - fluent in two languages; "Monolingual" - American. ;)

[@tikaratano2340]

taste like a good old film music. Albert Finney, he is my eternal Hercule Poirot.

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Listen to his Oboe concerto... then this. What a composer!!! One of the most underestimated since Walton. Richard Rodney Bennett deserves a revival... big time.

[@geoffwalker9392]

Apparently Walton was the contemporary that RRB admired most. The Walton Viola Concerto was one of his Desert Island Disks and he wrote diversions on a Theme by William Walton.

[@boomerang905]

This stirs up so many feelings and images, all beautiful.

[@luigipirandello5919]

I watched this film (1974, Sidney Lumet) several times. It is my favourite Agatha Christie’s book.

[@arnoldarrefilms]

8:21 beautifully captures the emotion and spectacle of the film, I would say even the world created by Agatha Christie. Thanks for posting this. :)

[@perpieta]

Yes, that was such a poignant, and satisfying, sequence in the film.

[@alexs.1242]

Love, love, love Richard Rodney Bennett's film music - had rather thought it lost in time, until I stumbled across this, quite by accident, while browsing KZbin. Thanks for posting! Only wish it could've been in 1080p HD, as an extended version, But as the philosopher Mick Jagger once said, you can't always get what you want.

[@barbarasquyres9563]

I agree with the guy below. I love this music. I play it over and over and hum it when I’m alone. I love the train music going slowly then faster.

[@lucienbandet2568]

Richard Rodney Bennet is a genius. And Sidney Lumet too

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Lumet began as a child actor in Yiddish theatre, believe he went on to work in live television. The theatricality he brought to this single set movie is virtuoso (apparently Finney was starring in a stage production when he filmed this, he would sleep on the ride out & while make-up was applied & then deliver pages of dialogue). The closing curtain call as the stars say good bye & congratulations to one another always makes me cry, in no small part because of this beautiful score. Lumet wanted Bergman to play the Princess, she chose a smaller part, when it came time for her scene he shot it in uninterrupted close-up, when he called cut, she gave him a kiss & took home the Oscar for it. Wonderful movie.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

There's also a story of Bergman stealing the lead role from Bacall in the movie version of Cactus Flower (Bacall starred in the Broadway production & hoped to do the same in the movie). Eventually, Bacall was starring in another one of her Tony Winners (she had 2, a decade apart), Bergman went backstage to visit & announced her arrival with, "It's the person you hate most in the world!" Obviously, they both got over it, as both Bogey's babies did MOTOE together. Lumet said the 1st table read the room was silent, as old Hollywood & London theatre royalty assessed one another, they got over it to have fabulous, tale swapping lunches together.

[@sumanthbhat1041]

really masterpiece wonderful❤music

[@rickstromberg6079]

Simply Wonderful!

[@peterfranks6243]

Classic tracks from the quintessential original AND only movie version of Agatha Christie's novel ...bravo

[@Victor1930]

Wow. What a treat discover this after loving this movie and its score since it's release. Just wonder why he didn't include the creepy flashback music. I love that, too!

[@marielaurencegonzalez2400]

magnifique j'aime énormément !! MERCI

[@emilianoelhalem1626]

2nd movement's beginning reminds me La Valse from Maurice Ravel. Wonderful score frome wonderful film!

[@Organgrinder1010]

+emiliano elhalem - La Valse is a longtime favorite. But it's so full of angst as everything seems to begin to fly apart, rather like the approaching political crisis. One of the world's greatest pieces of program music IMHO.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

This is what the latest remake lacks. When the train first leaves and makes its moves through the amazing landscape, the new version music is quite weak. THIS, original version brings chills and tears to your eyes. Way to go Mr Composer. You got it buddy. The new one doesn't come near your work.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

John St George Love the original, new one uses CGI in the television promos - pass.

[@danielpaulgaddis]

a new one? Pass! 😉😁

[@dougmorris7693]

Outstanding music from the pen of RRB! Moving, exciting....

[@alexkije]

GREAT! In the musical style where the film takes place! Thanks for sharing!

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Hugh Jones Doesn't the soundtrack break out into On the Good Ship Lollipop when Poirot is in the dining room? Do funny, & contemporary.

[@Port712]

My favourite film of all time...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Port712 Total escapism! Hollywood & Christie. Perfect.

[@bazzaworat3856]

Remember a radio programme on BBC radio Four on how the film's producers searched for a musical theme. They auditioned a lot, including an steam engine impersonator until they heard RRB's music and unanimously dumped everything that gone before.

[@phillipmcgough6282]

i love hearing the movement of the train, not the train. it asks 'where are we going?'. perfect composition. the recent movie forgot [at the least soundtrack-wise] that, even the rich & famous of the time, were in awe of making this journey. Trivia note: OE has never offered in-suite bathroom facilities!

[@robinrubendunst869]

I had the sheet music to this back in the 70s. There were lyrics, the song was called “Silky.”

[@kandisofia]

Thank you for.sharing. I love this very much.

[@NickelPlateDave]

Absolutely marvelous spot on

[@syoutyuueveryday2012]

thank you,great movie music!!

[@igobraum5194]

Muy buena pieza musical. Muy lograda y deliciosa.

[@alexkije]

Sensational camera work!

[@detectivefiction3701]

I own the soundtrack but had never heard of it being performed in concert before.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Detectivefiction - Was part of the proms. A rare chance.

[@Digistring2010]

it also reminds me the film music of Sir Ron Goodwin.........i found a tiny similarity in between these two composer. Both are GREAT.

[@danielpaulgaddis]

any details on production? I click on "more" & get nada.... Beautiful !!!

[@christopherheath7340]

I just wish they would re-release it on CD once more.

[@samwriter]

You can buy the 1974 DVD. I own it. In my top ten list.

[@XeniaFive]

2019!

[@SylvesterFox007]

Confession: I actually prefer Kenneth Branagh's Murder On The Orient Express to Sidney Lumet's in almost every regard... except the soundtrack. This music perfectly fits the vibe of not just MOTOE but Agatha Christie's mysteries in general.

[@ewaf88]

I think even Strauss would have approved

[@sbsumanth]

great symphony even film

[@hsbrz]

magnifico!

[@jslasher1]

I became acquainted with the late Sir Richard when he was visiting Denver, Colorado in the early '70s. He was there to 'soak up the atmosphere' before composing a symphony, which had been commissioned by Brian Priestman, the DSO conductor.

[@nellyhoccarzh6083]

Чудесная музыка и оркестр и дирижер

[@sidneyfrederickson3941]

That's Keith Lockhart conducting. He tends to have a more sprightly approach to pace and tempo

[@aurahyel4700]

+Sidney Frederickson Dreadful, pedantic conductor. He needs a baton.

[@hryk20]

Amazing

[@elesemau]

me gusta las variaciones que hicieron.

[@missyoneill8721]

simply,,,,, over-the-top!

[@hegzansiaani9213]

Lovely

[@Jeffybonbon]

when i hear this I think of Alan Whicker rip

[@tosherification]

I only wish this suite had the 1:08 Princess Dragomiroff theme. It is so lovely, and the scene is so poignant.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Bill McIntosh Wendy Hiller seems to be having so much fun with role, love her performance - & the wardrobe & make-up, cadaverous in black feathers.

[@richard169]

I've loved this music for decades. But isn't it funny you can sing the title, in the big musical catch phrase? "Murder... on the Orient Express! (It's a fancy train)... Murder... on the Orient Express... please let me explain: Big stars, Vanessa Redgrave... big stars, like Wendy Hiller..." And on and on. ;-)

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

Not my favorite "Murder on the Orient Express" adaption, but with no doubt the one with the best music. It's the one which better captures the atmosphere of that time.

[@alexkije]

You betcha! The music is lots better than the movie.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Tom Birke Completely! Across the board a quality production.

[@federicodelia512]

Just for curiosity, what's your favourite adaptation of the novel? There aren't so many

[@alantrahan24601]

Federico D'Elia The only one I've seen was the most recent one with Johnny Depp, but I assume they're all really good. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite writers.

[@sylvajablonska]

Does anybody know who the piano player is??? He is awesome!!!

[@alejandrovargasmelo]

C'est magnifique

[@user-we8ve7jw5u]

My favorite part is 10:10

[@unowen-nh9ov]

More dramatic than Mrs. Hubbard!

[@happydappyman]

is there a good quality version of this on youtube?

[@johnhowe50]

+happydappyman What is wrong with this one?

[@timgarden.6557]

sorry for my good ears but why didn't Jule Styne consider speaking to RRB about his having borrowed note for note the first 5 bars of "I had a dream" from 'Gypsy'. "I had a -dream,a-dream a-bout you baby...."

[@samsnimalelf]

9:54 false

[@jslasher1]

Oh, it's that pedantic baton less conductor from Boston. Sir Richard would not have approved of the performance, I wager.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Type 4 the dead, do u?

[@fishandchips9033]

@@unowen-nh9ov lol