The Haunting Score Getting Vinyl Release

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of horror cinema, I can confidently say that Jerry Goldsmith’s score for The Haunting is a chilling masterpiece that sends shivers down my spine. Having grown up on classics like Poltergeist and Alien, I can appreciate the subtle yet effective use of music in amplifying the terror and suspense in films.


After achieving significant triumphs with “Speed” and “Twister”, director Jan de Bont ventured into the realm of horror in 1999, creating the movie “The Haunting”. This film featured stars like Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Lili Taylor. The movie was adapted from Shirley Jackson’s novel “The Haunting of Hill House”. To elevate the terror, de Bont utilized cutting-edge CG effects in various chilling scenes. Adding to the eerie visuals was Jerry Goldsmith’s score, which is now available on vinyl through Var?se Sarabande and Craft Recordings. You can pre-order the double LP for “The Haunting” before it becomes available on October 4th.

According to a recent announcement, Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings are excitedly preparing to launch Jerry Goldsmith’s spine-tingling score for the chilling supernatural thriller, “The Haunting,” in a Deluxe 2-LP vinyl format. This eagerly anticipated release is scheduled for October 4th and can be pre-ordered now. In North America, the soundtrack, titled “The Haunting (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),” will be pressed on Black/Gold/Grey Marble vinyl, while internationally it will be available on Translucent Green vinyl. Both versions arrive in a gatefold jacket adorned with fresh cover artwork from artist Sina Grace, along with liner notes and movie stills.

As a gamer, I’d say: “I’m drawn into the chilling world of ‘The Haunting’. This movie boasts an impressive cast, including Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor. The plot follows a group of individuals who assemble at a vast mansion, under the guise of participating in a sleep study, but soon discover they’re entangled in eerie supernatural occurrences rooted in the house’s haunting past. Jerry Goldsmith’s spine-tingling soundtrack not only heightens the film’s eerie ambiance, but it also stands as a remarkable piece of art on its own.”

The chilling tale known as “The Haunting” initially started as a joint effort between Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. However, due to creative disagreements, the esteemed author parted ways with the project. Despite this, Spielberg persisted and recruited Jerry Goldsmith, a legendary figure in the industry, to take charge of the film’s audio aspects. Goldsmith was an ideal choice for the role, boasting a vast body of work and numerous award nominations that served as testament to his expertise.

“He composed scores for five films in the Star Trek franchise and three in the Rambo franchise, as well as for Logan’s Run, Planet of the Apes, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Patton, Chinatown, Alien, Poltergeist, Medicine Man, Gremlins, Hoosiers, Total Recall, Air Force One, L.A. Confidential, Mulan, and The Mummy. Goldsmith was nominated for six GRAMMY Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, nine Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Film Awards, and eighteen ACADEMY AWARDS (winning in 1976 for The Omen).

In an interview on CJRT-FM’s radio show On the Arts in 1982, Goldsmith discussed his method of creating film scores for movies like The Haunting. This approach, which he continued to use for nearly two decades, focused more on serving the needs of the film rather than displaying his own talents. This decision underscored his exceptional skill as a composer.

As a gamer, when I sit down to write about a movie, I always imagine myself in the audience for the very first time, absorbing the scene emotionally. What feelings does this movie evoke within me? Then, I ponder over these emotions and consider if adding music could intensify those feelings even more. This is my method for approaching any film.

Many critics found this method to be particularly effective, especially when it came to the film “The Haunting”. Reviewer Ian Lace, in his analysis of the soundtrack, stated that ‘Goldsmith once again excels, moving beyond worn-out ghost movie tropes. He employs dissonant, distant, slightly out-of-key sounds, slithers, abrupt thumps and shivers, and bird-like tweets from a diverse range of acoustic instruments, hinting at numerous unseen dangers lurking nearby.’

Jeff Bond, who penned the album notes, aptly captured its essence when he stated: “This album demonstrates Goldsmith’s growth as he navigated the challenges of sound design and movie music throughout the 1990s and into the new millennium. Its evocative, subdued tone is a testament to his versatility and ability to work across various genres. Bond emphasized that this album serves as a remarkable example of Goldsmith’s evolution, transitioning from intense experimentation to romanticism by the early 1980s. He further highlighted that ‘The Haunting’ marked a significant milestone in this transformation process.”

You can pre-order the 2-LP for The Haunting now before it hits shelves on October 4th.

1. Are you planning to include the album in your library? Connect with Patrick Cavanaugh through Twitter or Instagram for a chat about Star Wars and horror!

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2024-08-15 01:11