Release Date:
Downloads include choice of MP3, WAV, or FLAC
DDRDG810
Includes Digital Booklet
Click Here for CD Release
Dragon’s Domain Records presents FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1 , featuring music composed by Peter Bernstein for the anthology series created by William Horberg (A RAGE IN HARLEM, MILK, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT) and featuring a large cast that included Miguel Ferrer as the prologue narrator.
In 1993, prolific producer Steven Golin (RED ROCK WEST, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, THE L WORD, BERLIN STATION, MR. ROBOT) developed a neo-noir anthology television series called FALLEN ANGELS. The series ran for two seasons on Showtime, with 15 episodes between 1993 and 1995. Sydney Pollack served as the executive producer. Each episode was based on a story by a noted hardboiled crime writer, such as Raymond Chandler, Jim Thompson, Cornell Woolrich, Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, and the like. The episodes were helmed by such directors as Peter Bogdanovich, John Dahl, Phil Joanou and Steven Soderbergh, as well as noted actors getting their first or second opportunity to direct. The series also aired in Europe and France under the title PERFECT CRIMES.
Renowned composer Elmer Bernstein was brought in to compose the series’ main and end themes, while his son, composer Peter Bernstein, would write each of the episode scores. FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1 features music from all six of the first season episodes. Bernstein’s musical palette for the series would range from full orchestra to various band combinations. One had a piano, drums, bass, slide guitar, trumpet, and trombone; another had a double-string quartet, two horns, and a flute. One was all synth.
Dragon’s Domain Records presents FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1, featuring the premiere release of music composed by Peter Bernstein for the anthology series. The music has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland and the liner notes have been written by noted author Randall Larson, with the participation of the composer
Reviews
PETER BERNSTEIN, ELMER BERNSTEIN
Dragon’s Domain DDR810
40 tracks - 77:29
Dragon’s Domain offers yet another album of music by the talented Peter (son of Elmer) Bernstein, this one exploring his work on the Showtime series Fallen Angels (1993-96). The neo-noir detective show, created by producer William Horberg, lasted 15 episodes , leaning on the hard-boiled detective fiction from some of the best writers in the genre like Spillane, Hammett and Chandler.
Dragon’s Domain offers yet another album of music by the talented Peter (son of Elmer) Bernstein, this one exploring his work on the Showtime series Fallen Angels (1993-96). The neo-noir detective show, created by producer William Horberg, lasted 15 episodes , leaning on the hard-boiled detective fiction from some of the best writers in the genre like Spillane, Hammett and Chandler.
Elmer Bernstein provided the main theme for the series, which is included here to frame the episodes. The tune sets an appropriately noirish tone with prominent saxophone and a jazzy, reflective piano. Peter Bernstein composed the episodic scores, and this album features music from across the first season, representing six episodes. There are a variety of approaches on display, from the orchestral writing that opens Episode 1, to more intimate settings for string quartet and even straight-on synth, but it’s the noir element that ties everything together.
The Episode 1 cues lean towards a Herrmannian noir style, featuring orchestral writing that plays with unique instrumental colors. Episode 2 builds on this style, though it tends to be a bit darker overall, with lush, Golden Age string writing on display. Episode 3 has two selections for synths and solo wind lines, while Episode 4 blends synths into a jazz ensemble. The latter is enhanced by some interesting interplay between flute and sax.
A beautiful violin melody creates a poignant opening moment as we head into Episode 5’s selections. Harp adds another welcome color to this more romantically-stylized noir, with the flute of the former episode also heavily featured here. A bass line gets Episode 6 off to a jazzy start, with a smaller ensemble highlighted by some great sax playing. The jazz and orchestral elements balance out particularly well in this final section.
For those who enjoy dark, smoky noir scoring, there is much to appreciate here. There are sufficient themes, soloistic passages, and ensembles that change up often enough to maintain interest, all while keeping a consistent overall vibe. The album, a limited edition of 500 units (or downloadable), is available from Buysoundtrax, where you can also hear samples. —Steven A. Kennedy
FALLEN ANGELS Vol. 1 - Original Scores From the Television Series
Peter Bernstein
$8.95
Downloads include choice of MP3, WAV, or FLAC
DDRDG810
Includes Digital Booklet
Click Here for CD Release
Dragon’s Domain Records presents FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1 , featuring music composed by Peter Bernstein for the anthology series created by William Horberg (A RAGE IN HARLEM, MILK, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT) and featuring a large cast that included Miguel Ferrer as the prologue narrator.
In 1993, prolific producer Steven Golin (RED ROCK WEST, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, THE L WORD, BERLIN STATION, MR. ROBOT) developed a neo-noir anthology television series called FALLEN ANGELS. The series ran for two seasons on Showtime, with 15 episodes between 1993 and 1995. Sydney Pollack served as the executive producer. Each episode was based on a story by a noted hardboiled crime writer, such as Raymond Chandler, Jim Thompson, Cornell Woolrich, Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, and the like. The episodes were helmed by such directors as Peter Bogdanovich, John Dahl, Phil Joanou and Steven Soderbergh, as well as noted actors getting their first or second opportunity to direct. The series also aired in Europe and France under the title PERFECT CRIMES.
Renowned composer Elmer Bernstein was brought in to compose the series’ main and end themes, while his son, composer Peter Bernstein, would write each of the episode scores. FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1 features music from all six of the first season episodes. Bernstein’s musical palette for the series would range from full orchestra to various band combinations. One had a piano, drums, bass, slide guitar, trumpet, and trombone; another had a double-string quartet, two horns, and a flute. One was all synth.
Dragon’s Domain Records presents FALLEN ANGELS VOL. 1, featuring the premiere release of music composed by Peter Bernstein for the anthology series. The music has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland and the liner notes have been written by noted author Randall Larson, with the participation of the composer
Reviews
PETER BERNSTEIN, ELMER BERNSTEIN
Dragon’s Domain DDR810
40 tracks - 77:29
Dragon’s Domain offers yet another album of music by the talented Peter (son of Elmer) Bernstein, this one exploring his work on the Showtime series Fallen Angels (1993-96). The neo-noir detective show, created by producer William Horberg, lasted 15 episodes , leaning on the hard-boiled detective fiction from some of the best writers in the genre like Spillane, Hammett and Chandler.
Dragon’s Domain offers yet another album of music by the talented Peter (son of Elmer) Bernstein, this one exploring his work on the Showtime series Fallen Angels (1993-96). The neo-noir detective show, created by producer William Horberg, lasted 15 episodes , leaning on the hard-boiled detective fiction from some of the best writers in the genre like Spillane, Hammett and Chandler.
Elmer Bernstein provided the main theme for the series, which is included here to frame the episodes. The tune sets an appropriately noirish tone with prominent saxophone and a jazzy, reflective piano. Peter Bernstein composed the episodic scores, and this album features music from across the first season, representing six episodes. There are a variety of approaches on display, from the orchestral writing that opens Episode 1, to more intimate settings for string quartet and even straight-on synth, but it’s the noir element that ties everything together.
The Episode 1 cues lean towards a Herrmannian noir style, featuring orchestral writing that plays with unique instrumental colors. Episode 2 builds on this style, though it tends to be a bit darker overall, with lush, Golden Age string writing on display. Episode 3 has two selections for synths and solo wind lines, while Episode 4 blends synths into a jazz ensemble. The latter is enhanced by some interesting interplay between flute and sax.
A beautiful violin melody creates a poignant opening moment as we head into Episode 5’s selections. Harp adds another welcome color to this more romantically-stylized noir, with the flute of the former episode also heavily featured here. A bass line gets Episode 6 off to a jazzy start, with a smaller ensemble highlighted by some great sax playing. The jazz and orchestral elements balance out particularly well in this final section.
For those who enjoy dark, smoky noir scoring, there is much to appreciate here. There are sufficient themes, soloistic passages, and ensembles that change up often enough to maintain interest, all while keeping a consistent overall vibe. The album, a limited edition of 500 units (or downloadable), is available from Buysoundtrax, where you can also hear samples. —Steven A. Kennedy
