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Silent Film Music by William Perry Recorded for Naxos
August 3, 2010

American composer William Perry is credited with playing a pivotal role in the revival of interest in silent films. For twelve years he was Director of Music at the Museum of Modern Art in New York where he composed more than one hundred scores for the Museum’s silent film collection. His Emmy Award-winning television series, The Silent Years, with Orson Welles and Lillian Gish as hosts, introduced silent film classics to two new generations of film goers. And now Naxos, with the RTÉ National Symphony of Ireland conducted by Paul Phillips, has just recorded a full CD of Perry’s music derived from his silent film scores.

(click on the link below for full news article on Naxos's site)
http://www.naxos.com/news/default.asp?op=784&displayMenu=In_the_Studio&type=2

William Perry

Wow! I've been waiting for this! Anything from his scores to THE GOLD RUSH and LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY? This is what Criterion should do. Record the entire Bill Perry score to THE GOLD RUSH using a full orchestra. Ditto for MIlestone and LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY. Lo, I have never heard any of his music to A KISS FOR CINDERELLA. When is this being released, and how do we order?

Although I doubt it will happen, it would also be nice to see a re-pressing of the CD that was done of the Eastbrook LP. I don't particularly care for the prospect of paying $60 for a used copy. The original LPs were on such cheap vinyl and the grooves were so close together that it led to some unfortunately noisy reproduction.

So, have there been any updates on when this album will ever be released? I couldn't find any recent information on the Naxos site.

So, have there been any updates on when this album will ever be released? I couldn't find any recent information on the Naxos site.

Looks like it was recorded in May and June of 2010, but I haven't found it anywhere:

http://www.paulsphillips.com/Paul_Phill ... /HOME.html

http://today.brown.edu/articles/2010/10/orchestra

Rick

Although I doubt it will happen, it would also be nice to see a re-pressing of the CD that was done of the Eastbrook LP. I don't particularly care for the prospect of paying $60 for a used copy. The original LPs were on such cheap vinyl and the grooves were so close together that it led to some unfortunately noisy reproduction.

I owned a copy and ended up selling it at the last Capitolfest. Listening to it without the movies the music itself seemed to lack something. It may have been the sound quality though- either through poor recording or a bad instrument the piano has a rather whiny sound.

I've just heard from Bill Perry, who let me know his CD of orchestral arrangements of music from "The Silent Years" will be released by Naxos next month (August).

Here's the link to Naxos's page for the CD:
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp ... e=8.572567

And if you can't wait:

http://www.amazon.com/Perry-Innocents-A ... 355&sr=1-1

The new CD has extensive liner notes by Perry, including written musical examples, and outline which of the movements of the pieces (besides the suite entitled "The Silent Years") are themes from silents. For example, themes in the movements of Perry's "Gemini Concerto" are from his scores for "Little Annie Rooney", "The Last Laugh", "Tempest", "A Kiss for Cinderella", "The Crowd", "Show People" and "Fine Manners".

Let's make this a big seller for Bill and for Naxos...!

Ben

I'mma get it. Thanks for the post!

Innocents Abroad isn't from his Silents but it is some delightful stuff. If you're a fan if Americana, you'll love it. Looking forward to the new release!

Listening to this CD right now. Street date is Aug 30 (but maestro Perry sent me a promo copy). It's fantastic! Anyone who is a fan and remembers Bill's work from "The Silent Years" should have this.

Click here to pre-order from B&N's website (only online place currently to buy physical CD of this).

You can also download the album as MP3s here from Classics Online, where you can also listen to samples of the tracks.

Ben