KING SAUD (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Review:
Gerhard Daum’s original motion picture soundtrack for “King Saud” is a captivating musical score that perfectly complements the Hollywood mysterious detective story. The film noir style is beautifully captured through a combination of traditional instruments, such as the trumpet and flugelhorn, along with additional electronic tracks.
Daum’s expertise as an award-winning composer shines through in the way he effortlessly blends different musical elements together. The soundtrack succeeds in creating a dark and moody atmosphere that keeps the listeners engaged throughout the film.
One of the standout features of this score is the use of the trumpet and flugelhorn. These instruments bring a sense of nostalgia and mystery, evoking the classic film noir era. The haunting melodies played on these brass instruments add a layer of depth and intrigue to the main characters of the film.
In addition to the traditional instruments, Daum incorporates electronic tracks to enhance the modern and suspenseful aspects of the story.
– J. Goldwin
Director Mark Toma: –I LOVE IT! Onward! It’s noirish! It’s Chinatown!–
Co-Producer Michael C. Rogers: –yes! that’s the spot-on “CHINATOWN-esque” vibe that captures an atonal melancholy poignancy.–
Listen to KING SAUD Soundtrack
Rezension
Die Filmmusik zu “King Saud” von Gerhard Daum präsentiert eine faszinierende Kombination aus klassischen Hollywood-Krimielementen und modernen elektronischen Klängen. Der preisgekrönte Filmkomponist Daum zeigt sein Talent, die Atmosphäre eines Film Noir perfekt einzufangen.
Trompete und Flügelhorn verleihen dem Soundtrack eine nostalgische Note, die perfekt zum Film Noir-Genre passt. Diese Instrumente vermitteln das Gefühl von Spannung, Geheimnis und Eleganz, typisch für die klassischen Kriminalgeschichten aus Hollywood. Daums Fähigkeit, traditionelle Instrumente mit zeitgemäßen elektronischen Klangelementen und Rhythmen zu kombinieren, macht die Musik zeitlos und ansprechend für ein modernes Publikum.
Insgesamt scheint Gerhard Daum mit der Filmmusik zu “King Saud” eine gelungene Balance zwischen Tradition und Innovation gefunden zu haben. Die Trompeten- und Flügelhornmelodien verankern die Musik fest im Hollywood-Krimigenre, während die elektronischen Elemente eine moderne und frische Note hinzufügen. Diese Vielseitigkeit trägt dazu bei, die emotionale Tiefe und die Atmosphäre des Films zu verstärken, und macht die Filmmusik zu einem integralen Bestandteil des Gesamterlebnisses.
P. Werner
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ
On his latest ToneWork Records release „Contemporary Jazz“, the successful film composer Gerhard Daum demonstrates prolific instrumentalism, playing guitars, trumpet and flugelhorn. The compositions on this acoustic album are diverse and modern, with influences of blues, bossa nova, smooth jazz and funk.
They are based on song structures, offering space for short, elegant and tasteful improvisations.
Gerhard’s sound on the trumpet is expressive, warm and precise, with poignant phrasing without vibrato.
He is accompanied by the prominent Macedonian double bass player Martin Gjakonovski, who lives and works in Cologne.
Listen to CONTEMPORARY JAZZ
Apricity – featured album track on youtube:
Review by Kathy Parsons
Contemporary Jazz is a fascinating collection of seventeen original pieces by German composer and musician Gerhard Daum. A very successful composer of soundtrack music for films and television in both the US and Europe, Daum’s music is expressive and often very visual. On this album, Daum performs on trumpet, flugelhorn, and acoustic and electric guitars (not all at the same time!), and is accompanied by prominent Macedonian double-bass player, Martin Gjakonovski, who lives and works in Cologne (Germany). Most of the tracks on this album are between 2 1/2 and 4 minutes long and cover a wide variety of jazz styles, moods, and emotions. I have been a big fan of Gerhard’s music since I reviewed his 2017 Rural Renewal, one of my Favorites for that year, and his albums never disappoint. The ones I’ve reviewed are all so different from each other but have the same high quality of excellence and musicianship.
Contemporary Jazz begins with “Apricity,” the first single released from the album. A trio for trumpet, electric guitar (both by Daum) and bass, the mood is light yet pensive. The video for the track has a winter theme and is beautifully filmed. “Best Pals” is one of my favorites, telling a vivid story with trumpet, acoustic guitar and bass (instead of words). Warm and relaxed yet happily adventuresome, I really love this one! “Mind Your Steps” features electric guitar, muted trumpet and bass, and is somewhat darker than the first two tracks – very film noir-ish! “Sky Gazer” is another favorite with its spare, elegant trumpet lead, catchy bass-line, and the sparkling quality of the electric guitar. “Coiled Energy” picks up the tempo a bit with rhythmic electric guitars and muted trumpet. Blues and rock influences give it a cool, sophisticated vibe that has compelled me to hit the “repeat” button more than once! “High and Low” and “Whirl of Pleasure” are quite different from each other, but both tracks feature Daum playing classical guitar. The bluesy, atmospheric feeling of “Quality Time” is relaxed and spontaneous – for trumpet, electric guitar and bass. “Mirror Moon” is another favorite. Trumpet, bass and electric guitar move slowly through this beautiful, atmospheric piece, telling their dark and mysterious story. “Western Sunset,” a fascinating mix of country and folk elements, even has a touch of the blues. Muted trumpet, acoustic guitars and bass paint a vivid picture of open spaces and perhaps a bit of lonely desolation – very colorful and moody! I really like this one, too! As if this album wasn’t already diverse, “Cinema Novo” enchants with an easy bossa nova groove for trumpet, guitars and bass – tropical musical sunshine! The album closes with my favorite track, “Don Juan,” a soulful slow ballad for trumpet and electric bass that really draws you in. Let me hit that “repeat” button again!
Contemporary Jazz is a great album from the first note to the last! It is available from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as many streaming sites including Spotify. Very highly recommended!
NEOCLASSICAL PIANO PRELUDES
Going the extra mile with our neoclassical piano solo releases, our intention is to highlight and illuminate the real and pure acoustic sound of a live performance on a grand piano.
The eleven Piano Prelude compositions featured on the album are atmospheric, minimalist, contemporary, and classical with subtle shifting harmonic and melodic movements with contrapuntal rhythms.
Recorded in Berlin at Hansa Studio Complex 2022.
Album review Kathy Parsons
Neoclassical Piano Preludes is a wonderful collection of eleven original solo piano preludes composed and performed by award-winning, multi-faceted German composer and instrumentalist Gerhard Daum. “Preludes” are were originally defined as shorter pieces intended to be played before larger works, but in the hands of composers like Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov and many others, preludes became entities unto themselves – especially those composed for piano. I have reviewed several of Daum’s many albums and have loved them all. His recorded music that I have heard is more expressive and emotional than flashy, although his soundtrack work covers a wide variety of film genres and musical styles. He has worked extensively in both Germany and the US and is currently based in Berlin.
I can’t say I have a favorite of these eleven Preludes – I really like them all! The titles of the preludes are just the number of their playing order, 1-11, leaving the “meaning” of the music up to the listener. For me, “Prelude 1” is quietly reflective and perhaps a bit nostalgic and bittersweet – a lovely start! “Prelude 2” has a very fluid and expressive feeling of strength and optimism. “Prelude 3” goes much darker with a changing palette of chords that convey deep thought and emotion. “Prelude 5” seems to be searching for something with its “subtle shifting harmonic colors.” Several themes are woven together to create a beautiful whole. “Prelude 6” begins with a very minimalist series of chords, developing into a series of poignant and expressive themes that are elegant, graceful and deeply moving. Deeply reflective and introspective, “Prelude 9” seems to be looking inward for answers and direction while working through a dilemma or process – very honest and sincere. “Prelude 10” has a dreamy, slightly other-worldly feeling that I find evocative and intriguing. If I could choose only one Prelude, I think it would be this one. “Prelude 11” seems a bit lighter and more optimistic, bringing this excellent album to a close with a warm smile.
If you haven’t yet discovered the music of Gerhard Daum, Neoclassical Piano Preludes is a great place to start! Longtime fans will also be delighted with this new work! It is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, and many streaming sites including Spotify. Very highly recommended!
Album & Soundtracks
