John Barry was a composer of great talent. He emerged on the musical scene with his group, the John Barry 7.
This was a jazz group led by the future film composer. In the early 60’s, producer/director Richard Attenborough (who played the millionaire in Jurassic Park) discovered John Barry’s group and asked him to contribute music to the film The L-Shaped Room. Although not credited, Barry created a full album’s worth of music to be included in the film.
Between 1962 and 1992, John Barry underwent a musical transformation. He found a voice within his jazz that only emerged through his orchestral writing. As he wrote more, his voice solidified. In 1992, Barry and Attenborough’s paths crossed again. This time, Attenborough asked Barry to score his entire film, Chaplin.
This weekend on Music from the Movies, we’ll explore Barry’s emerging sound during the late 1960’s with the soundtrack to The Chase, and we’ll compare it to his film score to Chaplin from the ’90’s.
Tune in this Saturday at 7pm or Sunday at 5pm on Classical 91.7.