The Greatest Story Ever Told (3CD) (OST) [Soundtrack, Box set]

This was one of the many 50/60s soundtracks issued as a single LP album of about 40 mins at the time of the film's release and given the odd re-release over the years. The late 90s seems to have heralded the spate of reissues, restorations and much longer versions of those originals, and this 3 cd version from Ryko was certainly much anticipated for the restoration of some of Alfred Newman's original score dropped from the film more or less at the last minute by the producers and/or United Artists.
What we have here is the 39min 'original soundtrack' album collectors were already familiar with, and a 2 cd issue of what is probably the fullest version of the soundtrack in chronological order,taken from the original session tapes,lasting some 95mins.
These are enhanced cds, too which afford further liner notes and pictures when played on the PC, but I can't comment further because my own incompetence prevents my ability to run them.
Back to the music, if I have any niggle it's the fact that certain cues featured on the original album have been omitted from the 2 cd set, when for continuity's sake,and to make a better listening experience, it would have been helpful, and there was plenty of space to accommodate them. We therefore have important cues for John the Baptist/Jesus' temptations, and Palm Sunday omitted although they do of course, remain on the first disc.
It would also have been interesting to have included the film's version of the raising of Lazarus as a bonus because this was the first of the controversial changes made to Newman's original, where almost his entire cue was scrapped in favour of an almost wholesale lifting of the crucifixion music from 'The Robe' seguing into Handel's Halleluia Chorus. This can only be heard by viewing the film. I probably differ with many on this but I think it works, although I suspect Newman's original would have worked better. At least we have the alternative Resurrection music, Handel's Messiah again on the first cd (as per the film), and Newman's original on disc 3.
The 'Barber-Adagio' like Jesus motif musically defines the tragic aspect of the film as director George Stevens' pacing defines the same tragedy. That's not to say this is a one theme dirge, because it isn't, with some lilting folk-like themes accompanying Jesus' travels, pseudo-oriental cue for the visit of the Wise Men at Jesus' birth, with sturdy woodwind for John the Baptist. Ken Darby's legendary weaving of choral magic for Newman is well evidenced here, ranging from solemn psalm chanting, to joyous Alleluias for the so-called triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and sheer glory for the two resurrections- of Lazarus and Jesus.
General opinion is that this is one of Newman's greatest scores,if not the greatest, and I wouldn't argue. What we certainly have is the most extensive coverage of this very varied, beautiful music, and while the sound quality may not be quite as we expect today, it serves extremely well, and frankly, there's not a lot of film music these days that reaches the dizzy heights of this masterpiece.