Vampyre Killers

Rosemary´s Baby

Music by Krzystof Komeda

 

 

 

 

 

Polish Krzystof Komeda was the kind of composer difficult to labeling. The climate counterpoints of Rosemary's Baby (1968) and the disconcerting humorous morbidity of Vampire Killers (1967) simply have no parallel in other film music.

The two soundtracks was released in a single CD edition by Polonia Records, but also are available in separate editions with improved graphic packages.

Rosemary's Baby´s opening lullaby theme has become cliché in the genre. The resignation and melancholy singing by innocent, childlike voice (as had did Georges Auric in The Innocents) give a resigned touch to the opening of the famous Roman Polanski´s horror. The theme receives fluent arrangements in following Musical Moment and Rosemary's Party. The instrumental economy of suspense passages suggests unspeakable secrets as well as the unusual arrangements, which sets the elements "out of their places" as in Christmas, Panic and The Coven II. Also noteworthy are the creepy whispered satanic chants of some passages. On the other hand, smooth jazz themes contrast in alienation to the whole set. Completes the soundtrack the bizarre atmospheres of Through the Closet and What Have You Done To Its Eyes.

 

For its turn, the amazing soundtrack for Vampire Killers will even surpass Rosemary's Baby, for its musical direction. Using voices as main soloists, Vampire Killers is a creative blend of lyricism and morbidity. A macabre musical joke. The opening march, Main Title, with vocal modulations simulating reverberation over harpsichord ostinatos, captivates immediately in his devilish humor. The beauty of themes such as the madrigal Sarah in Bath and Krotock On Sledge serve to contrast the cadaveric atmospheres of Snowman, Portraits, and the chilling solo vocals of Vampires To Crypt. Even assuming heavier climates, the comic aura is maintained in the instrumental and vocal performances, which sustain the mood and never slip in a gross caricature. Two soundtracks as musical transgressions of absolute originality.