Composed and Conducted by GEORGES DELERUE
Fabulous treat for Georges Delerue fans! First-ever release of his magnificent, epic-scale score for ABC two-part mini-series with Mia Sara, Kirk Douglas, Martin Balsam, Claire Bloom, directed by Larry Peerce, from Michael Korda’s novel. Story chronicles early life of Merle Oberon, from birthplace in India through numerous hardships, then moves on to her marriage to Sir Alexander Korda and eventual career as famed British actress. Delerue finds material inspiring, responds with one of his finest “period” scores full of sweeping ideas for rich locales, gorgeous love themes, dramatic flourishes, more! Delerue always favored themes written in minor keys imparting tenderness, sadness over more saccharine moods. Harmony was particularly important. Queenie offers some of his most haunting ideas! In scoring for the majestic settings, along with a large orchestra, Delerue writes parts for tabla, sitar for India colors as well as brass for British pomp and splendor! Massive score prepared for release by Nick Redman, Mike Matessino from original elements vaulted at 20th Century Fox. Track Preparation and Editing by Neil S. Bulk. Mix and Assembly by Mike Matessino. Informative liner notes by Julie Kirgo plus dramatic graphic design by Joe Sikoryak enhance powerhouse score by France’s most tuneful, romantic film composer ever! Georges Delerue conducts.
Airing on ABC over two nights in May of 1987, Queenie was based on Michael Korda’s fictionalized account of actress Merle Oberon, second wife of his uncle, Sir Alexander Korda. Oberon, often celebrated for her “exotic beauty,” claimed to the end of her life that she was an Englishwoman born and raised in Tasmania. She was, in fact, born in Bombay, and her mother was Ceylonese, and Queenie was terrified that knowledge of her mixed-race heritage might destroy her career. The miniseries of Queenie throws in plenty of drama along the way: poverty, prejudice, rape, an unjust accusation of murder—all before Queenie Kelley (Mia Sara) flees her native India for England, where, after further travails, she approaches film stardom.
One of the more striking elements of Queenie is its score by Georges Delerue. His musical signatures—the boundless energy, that razor-sharp psychological acuity, and an unsurpassed romantic lyricism, as described by Julie Kirgo in her liner notes— are on lavish display in his score for Queenie, which is instantly recognizable as classic Delerue. The film’s setting in India allowed him to introduce some rich new colorings to his music, particularly in the string and percussion departments. Sitars and tablas—or sound-alikes—are significant components of this score, along with bowed string instruments and struck bass.
The score is presented here from the original session masters stored at 20th Century Fox in pristine condition, primarily in stereo with a few tracks taken from the 3-track split mono elements mixed by Mike Matessino so that they blend seamlessly into the stereo program. The album also includes an alternate main title that serves as an overture to the album.
TRACKLIST
01. Main Title (Alternate) (1:53)
02. Main Title (1:52)
03. Opening (1:45)
04. Part Black (1:08)
05. Dressing Indian (1:42)
06. Movie Source (1:37)
07. Escape From Teacher (0:52)
08. Into Temple (2:42)
09. Riot (3:07)
10. Five Years Later (1:13)
11. Queenie To Burton’s (1:40)
12. Burton And Queenie (3:28)
13. Prunella Finds Burton (1:00)
14. You’re Going Home (1:25)
15. London Bridge (1:51)
16. Looking For Work (2:02)
17. Queenie’s Act No. 1 (2:53)
18. Part One End Credits (1:33)
19. To The Truth (0:52)
20. Walk In The Rain (2:00)
21. Transition (1:51)
22. Rape (3:24)
23. Love Montage (1:54)
24. Driving To David’s (0:57)
25. Screen Test (0:35)
26. I Need You (0:39)
27. Arrival In India (4:17)
28. Following Vicky (0:46)
29. Reunited With Vicky (2:44)
30. She Shouldn’t Be Here (1:04)
31. Prunella Finds Queenie (1:06)
32. I’ll Miss You (1:05)
33. Letter From Lucien (1:05)
34. Queenie And Vicky (1:28)
35. Queenie By Window (0:53)
36. David III In Bed (1:47)
37. She’s My Wife (3:13)
38. Old Letters (4:47)
39. Flashback Montage (1:09)
40. Finale (2:55)
41. Part 2 End Credits (1:04)
42. Queenie’s Act No. 2 (2:54)
