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Dragon's Domain Records presents THE LALO SCHIFRIN COLLECTION: VOLUME 2, featuring music composed by the legendary Lalo Schifrin (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, BULLITT, DIRTY HARRY, ENTER THE DRAGON) for two films from his extensive filmography.
Released in 1979, ESCAPE TO ATHENA is a World War II adventure film directed by George P. Cosmatos (THE CASSANDRA CROSSING, RAMBO II, TOMBSTONE), written by Edward Anhalt and Richard S. Lochte, starring Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, Elliott Gould, Stephanie Powers, Sonny Bono, and Richard Roundtree. Beautifully photographed on the large Greek island of Rhodes, ESCAPE FROM ATHENA takes place during the later years of World War II, when the island was occupied by the German army.
A group of Allied prisoners of war are forced to labor on archaeological excavations off the Aegean Sea that the occupying forces plan to transport ancient treasures back to Germany. The prisoners discover that the nearby monastery on top of Mount Athena may contain even greater treasures allegedly hidden by the monks. At the same time, Greek resistance fighters on the island are preparing their own operation to strike at the German garrison.As the prisoners' treasure plot intersects with the resistance's sabotage mission, the narrative builds toward a chaotic but entertaining climax involving deception, massive explosions, and a dramatic battle by the sea.
A notable aspect of ESCAPE TO ATHENA is its musical score, which blends bold orchestration and Mediterranean color. For ESCAPE TO ATHENA, Schifrin created music that balances suspense and playfulness,reflecting the film's mixture of wartime danger and comic adventure. The score incorporates lively percussion, brass flourishes, and melodic passages that evoke the Greek island setting.
Released in 1984, TANK was directed by Marvin J. Chomsky, written by Dan Gordon, starring James Garner, Shirley Jones, C. Thomas Howell, Mark Herrier, Sandy Ward, Jenilee Harrison, James Cromwell, Dorian Harewood, John Hancock, Guy Boyd and G.D. Spradlin. TANK follows U.S. Army Sergeant Major Zack Carey (Garner), a career soldier transferred to a military base nearby a small town in Georgia. Carey is a disciplined and respected non-commissioned officer who takes pride in both his service and his family life, though he has promised his long-suffering wife (Shirley Jones) that this will be the last tour before he retires and buys a boat. Carey's troubles begin when he goes to the town bar and stands up for a prostitute being beaten by a Deputy Sheriff. Unbeknownst to him, both the bar and girl are under the control of the town's corrupt sheriff who runs the town like a personal kingdom.
Carey attempts to resolve the matter through official channels but he quickly discovers that the sheriff's influence extends throughout the local justice system. In retaliation, the sheriff frames Zack's son Billy (Howell) on false charges and has him imprisoned under the harsh conditions of his brutal work camp. Carey decides to take matters into his own hands. Using his personal restored World War II Sherman tank, he launches a daring rescue mission. Carey drives the tank across rural Georgia, as he evades military police and local law enforcement to rescue Billy and flee out of the sheriff's jurisdiction, creating a dramatic chase that mixes suspense with moments of dark humor.
For TANK, Lalo Schifrin created music that underscores both the tension of the chase and the emotional stakes of a father fighting for his son. The score features bold orchestral writing combined with rhythmic motifs that mirror the relentless movement of the armored vehicle at the center of the story.
As a young man in his native Argentina, Lalo Schifrin received classical training in music and also studied law. He came from a musical family, and his father, Luis Schifrin, was the concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Buenos Aires at the Teatro Colon. Schifrin continued his formal music education at the Paris Conservatory during the early 1950's, studying with numerous teachers including famed composer Olivier Messiaen. Simultaneously, he became a professional jazz pianist, composer and arranger, playing and recording in Europe. When Schifrin returned to Buenos Aires in the mid 1950s, he formed his own big concert band. It was during a performance of this band that Dizzy Gillespie heard Schifrin play and asked him to become his pianist and arranger. In 1958, Schifrin moved to the United States and thus began a remarkable career.
Lalo Schifrin has written more than 100 scores for films and television. Among the classic scores are MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, MANNIX, THE FOX, COOL HAND LUKE, BULLITT, DIRTY HARRY, THE CINCINNATI KID, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. Recent scores include TANGO, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY, AFTER THE SUNSET, the RUSH HOUR films and ABOMINABLE.
TANK makes its premiere soundtrack release on THE LALO SCHIFRIN COLLECTION: VOLUME 2 and ESCAPE TO ATHENA makes its debut on compact disc. The music has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland and include liner notes written by Scott Davis and David Hirsch.
- BSX
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