The Taking of Pelham 123

Music by David Shire

 

 

 

 

 

Great police thriller of perfect narrative, still captivating and engaging The Taking of Pelhan 123 (1974) was one of the great films of his time following the appeal that police adventures had in early 70s.

The music by David Shire is also remarkable as one of the great soundtracks of the genre. Simple, direct, original and functional. Alternating dynamic rhythmic and oppositive sound blocks to support the narrative as in Money Montage, Shire employed serial composition procedures and a bass baseline to unify many passages.

 

"An aggressive and very tonal bass ostinato, suggestive of the New York rhythmic drive that somehow holds the chaos together" – D. Shire

 

The Main Title track at the opening contains the thematic and rhythmic material that will be used in many variations along the score. Tracks like Dolowitz Takes a Look and The Money Express (with its occasional piano phrases and the electric bass marking) sound like a sort of modern jazz pieces. As good as any classic soundtracks of the same period, The Taking of Phelan 123 is surely among the most efficient thrillers of all time.

 

The Taking of Pelham123 1974

David Shire

30 min

Retrograde Records