Gizzi Listening

Almost two years ago I wrote about my search for music by Claudio Gizzi, the man who composed the score for Andy Warhol's Blood for Dracula. Nothing has come up as far as available recordings (other than the anthology album Delirium of the Senses, which contained only one Gizzi track [I wrote about it 7/21/08]). But I have located some interesting stuff via Google and Youtube. Here's a clip of the opening credits of the film, with the incomparable Udo Kier as Dracula applying make-up to his undead face; the music is the film's main theme, a beautiful piece called, I believe, "Old Dracula"--so beautiful it steals the show, I think. The exploitive, campy film it's embedded in (though a fun time) hardly seems worthy of it!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjqD3aLnPrY

And here's an interview with Gizzi by Chris Alexander (Fangoria) in which the composer discusses that piece and his inspiration. What a breath of air this is! I like it when artists talk directly and ungaurdedly about their art, their craftsmanship, and their inspirations:http://chris-alexander.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=144:exclusive-interview-composer-claudio-gizzi&catid=47:interviews

My favorite bits:

CA: With BLOOD, you created one of the most gorgeous pieces of music ever used in a horror film....that overture...haunting. Was that composed while staring at Udo Kier's face in post production or was it composed before the film was edited?

CG: Effectively this theme for Dracula (especially in its version for solo piano) is one of the most complete and efficacious things of my career. This is a demonstration that the simplicity and power of melody makes it superior and the most important thing in the musical world. I remember that this theme was born spontaneously by the magnificent images of the titles of the film while they were being shown on the screen. Udo’s sadness, composure and elegance in front of the mirror really struck me and guided me towards this musical experience…)

CA: Have you recieved letters and love for these scores over the years?

CG: In fact, I received a great number of messages of approval and enjoyment from all over the world, especially from the U.S.A. There were also some people who wanted to have the score and to some of them I sent a score that I had written and signed. I hope I have made someone among my admirers happy....Basically, music is a wonderful, universal language which unites us and creates friends.

And here's an oddball video of some freakazoid named "King Baldwin" playing "Old Dracula" for us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W2FzWNU6eU&feature=related

And, because I can't help myself, here's a link to a slideshow about overlooked vampire movies that Twilight fans should track down and see. Hell, I should track some of them down too, since I hadn't heard of a few. Naturally, Let the Right One In is featured, perhaps the best vampire film I've ever seen. If it were my list I might add Romero's Martin, the Vrdolak segment from Bava's Black Sabbath, and Dreyer's Vampyr. Drink up!: http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/vampires/index.html?story=/ent/movies/film_salon/2010/07/02/vampire_movies_twilight_fans_should_see

~CD