Love Story

『ある愛の詩』(1970年　アメリカ作品 / 監督　アーサー・ヒラー / 出演　ライアン・オニール、アリ・マッグロー、レイ・ミランド / 音楽　フランシス・レイ)のサウンドトラック盤。

Literally millions of people would immediately recognize the "Theme From Love Story" upon hearing it, though they had never seen, or possibly even heard of, the 1970 Paramount film. This is indeed worth something in an era of pre-disposable pop culture -- how often do we write things off because of their pre-release hype? Without tracing any elements back to the film, this soundtrack was composed and compiled by Francis Lai, the king of schmaltzy European soundtracks (anyone remember Bilitis or Emmanuelle?), who outdid himself on this rather minimal setup. First there is the theme itself, played now into the 21st century on muzak stations and even lite jazz stations. Its unmistakable cadence string swell just before and after the bridge influenced many who came after him, especially in the 1970s. The track "Snow Frolic" is a combination of "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Love Theme" is restated on a harpsichord before entering into the smooth, easy rock of the melody line. There are a few selections by Bach and Mozart tossed in here for measure, but all of them are merely window dressing for Lai's temptation to see how many ways he can employ the theme song, which he does in virtually every track at least minimally. This is his evil genius: to rake in a bundle for one theme and a series of trumped-up variations that all refer to, quote, and state implicitly that "this is a theme song that will be remembered forever -- even if with nausea." And of course, history has proved him right. This is not exactly recommended sit-down listening, but it might be great to pull out at a party when the drinks have been flowing a while. Who knows what reactions will greet you when you do?

Francis Lai's score to Love Story is suitably romantic, evoking both the beauty and tragedy of the hit film itself. ~ Raymond McKinney

悲しくも美しいラブ・ストーリー・サントラの名盤中の名盤。

『ある愛の詩』(1970)
サウンドトラック

音楽　フランシス・レイ
監督　アーサー・ヒラー
主演　ライアン・オニール、アリ・マックグロー

オリバーとジェニー、身分が違う2人は愛し合い、ニューヨークで新生活が始まるが、ジェニーは不治の病に倒れてしまう・・・フランシス・レイによるあまりにも有名なメロディのメインテーマのほかにも、清らかなイージーリスニング・ナンバーとして、人気も高い「SNOW FROLIC」(テーマとは別メロディ。スキャット&チェンバロが70年的に美しく最高。別アレンジの「SKATING IN CENTRAL PARK」もすばらしい)も必聴。全ての悲しい愛の物語の主題曲の原点ともいえるメロディは、聴き直す価値ありです。 (C)馬場敏裕