Sunrise
(1927, score 1989)
Original Title: Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Directed by: F. W. Murnau
Writing credits: H. Sudermann (novel); C. Mayer (scenario)
Starring: George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston, Bodil Rosing
Genre: drama
Country: Germany
Running Time: 95 mins
Instrumentation List
2 Flutes (II dbl. picc.)
2 Oboes (II dbl. E. horn)
2 Clarinets
2 Bassoons
2 Horns
2 Trumpets
1 Trombone
1 Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (2)
Organ
Strings
“The new score by Timothy Brock on the digital tracks offers the opportunity for the viewer to see the film as if for the first time. While Tim Brock has written his share of experimental, dissonant scores, thankfully, this is not one of them. Brock has provided more of a conventional film score than a silent-film score. Brock’s music doesn’t make Sunrise a different film, but it does give it a different emotional texture. A bit less film noir, a bit more of a love story, but less romantic, more pastoral, and less contrast with the city. That primary audio track delivers Hugo Riesenfeld’s original orchestral score, and its a dandy. The restored audio is strong and clear in DD 1.0 monaural. The orchestration is clean and without hiss, and all those marvelous sound effects have good presence. Alternatively, there’s the optional Olympic Chamber Orchestra score composed and conducted by Timothy Brock (commissioned by Fox for the previous Laserdisc edition). While it lacks the original’s sound effects, the DD 2.0 stereo naturally possesses greater range and fidelity than the 1927 original, so its wider, fuller orchestration shines through beautifully. The Brock score fits the film to a tee, and stands on its own as a pleasurable listening experience.”
