At a time when I've recently been ranting about the paucity of the film music Oscars and, coincidentally, been busy compiling some extended selections of some of my favourite composers for iPod listening, it's even more apt to to be writing a few (probably unoriginal) words in tribute to Maurice Jarre. I must admit that Jarre is one of those golden/silver age (think he crossed the two eras both chronologically and stylistically) composers who doesn't hit my radar as often as he should. With so many of his scores and themes so famous that even the average tone deaf cinema goer will know them unaided, he really ought to crop up more regularly.
This brings me onto the matter of compilations. Jarre has many in his name, both under his baton and otherwise. Being such a gifted tunesmith, it's not hard to put together a collection of his music. All very different, but unmistakably Jarre. Compare that to many of today's composers - sure, plenty can write superb music, but put together an hour of highlights and half of it starts to sound eerily similar. True, Jarre often had the luxury of penning an overture for many of his movies, a self made concert arrangement as part of the package. Even so, the variety and immediate impact of scores from throughout his career, from Lawrence to Ghost to Witness, all strikingly different, but brilliantly memorable.
When it comes to Oscars, Jarre won what would probably be considered a perfectly respectable trio and all for top scores. That seems to happen less frequently than one might think and almost never at all today. Of course, like all the greats, he could have won a dozen and they'd still be worthy winners. However, as many commentators have pointed out, his music so easily stands aside the great (and admittedly not so great) films he composed for. Given who he collaborated with, that's saying something: Lean, Hitchcock, Frankheimer, Visconti, Zeffirelli and so on.
Perhaps we can just be happy that his recorded legacy is substantial and he retired when he was ready and wasn't about to potentially compose another classic. HAving said that, teh quality of his writing never diminished and his 90's efforts are frequently outstanding (especially compared to his variable 80's synth era). If you don't own any Jarre, I should say it's about time you did. The Emotion and the Strength or Silva Screen's excellent Essential Collection, both of which are fine overviews would be the place to start. Time for Sunshine. A late classic. Matches the man, the mood and the weather. So long Maurice.
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