The Big Country (Jerome Moross)

(1958)

Already a two time Oscar winner, William Wyler was a well-respected director in Hollywood by 1958, when he made The Big Country.  Although the phenomenal success of Ben-Hur the following year would shadow many of his previous, arguably superior works, this is a film that undoubtedly ranks among the most enjoyable of his career.  It stars Gregory Peck (who also co-produced the film with Wyler), Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston (who would win the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Ben-Hur two years later), Carroll Baker, and Burl Ives.  The film was nominated for two Oscars, with Ives winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance, and, of course, Jerome Moross’ musical score, which by some miracle did not win, losing to The Old Man and the Sea by Dimitri Tiomkin.

The composer recalled composing the main title after recalling a walk he took in the flat lands around Albuquerque shortly before he moved to Hollywood in the late 1930s.  The famous piece opens with an arpeggio of violins and heroic trumpets, before opening into the string melody that captures the Western landscape so perfectly.  It’s easily one of the greatest film themes ever written, for the Western genre or any other.

The unfortunate thing about many of the scores that have such famous main themes is the fact that the rest of the score is often overlooked.  But whether it’s the wonderful dance rhythms of “Julie’s House”, the vibrant chase music in “The Welcoming”, or one of the numerous other highlights, this is a film score of too many great themes to mention.

After nearly fifty years, the first studio-endorsed album of Moross’ entire score to The Big Country was finally released by La La Land Records.  Although there had been a recording by Tony Bremmer conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra, it was somewhat incomplete despite good sound quality.  This album is digitally remastered from the original mono source and contains extensive liner notes about the film, the score and the composer.  It’s limited to 3000 copies so grab one when you can – this score is a classic of both the Western genre and of film music.

Purchase from Screen Archives Entertainment (UK & USA)

Track Listing

1. Main Title (3:21)

2. Julie’s House (2:10)

3. The Welcoming (3:09)

4. The Hazing (1:49)

5. Courtin’ Time (1:21)

6. The Terrill Ranch (1:35)

7. Old Thunder (1:40)

8. The Raids – Pts. 1 & 2 (3:39)

9. McKay’s Decision (1:03)

10. The Capture (1:28)

11. McKay’s Triumph (0:35)

12. Major Terrill’s Party (1:30)

13. Major Terrill’s Party – Pt. 2 (1:09)

14. Waltz (2:16)

15. Polka (0:54)

16. Night In Blanco Canyon (0:52)

17. McKay’s Ride (1:20)

18. McKay Is Missing (2:02)

19. The Old House (2:18)

20. Waiting (0:30)

21. Horror Stories (1:04)

22. Big Muddy (2:33)

23. Still Waiting (1:37)

24. McKay Alone (1:20)

25. Night At Ladder Ranch (1:09)

26. The Flight (2:54)

27. Cattle At The River (2:21)

28. Pat’s Mistake (1:20)

29. Buck Comes For Julie (1:12)

30. The Abduction (1:10)

31. The Captive (1:34)

32. The Attempted Rape (2:10)

33. The War Party Gathers (2:39)

34. McKay In Blanco Canyon (2:27)

35. Jim And Julie (0:35)

36. The Major Alone (1:51)

37. The Duel (0:51)

38. The Death Of Buck Hannassey (2:44)

39. Ambush In Blanco Canyon – Pt. 1 (1:16)

40. Ambush In Blanco Canyon – Pt. 2 (1:47)

41. The Stalking (1:21)42. End Title (1:59)

TOTAL TIME: (74:00)
Credits

Music Composed and Conducted by Jerome Moross

Orchestrations by Bernard Mayers, Conrad Salinger, Gil Grau and Alexander Courage

Album Produced by Ford A. Thaxton

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Score (nominated)
Insert Notes

Contains extensive notes about the film and the score.

All images and artwork are Copyright © La La Land Records