Concert Band - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1454878 Composed by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer. Arranged by John Ivor Holland. 20th Century,Film/TV,Jazz,Pop,Standards. 41 pages. John Ivor Holland #1033949. Published by John Ivor Holland (A0.1454878). 'Laura' is a 1944 American film noir produced and directed by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Vincent Price. In 1999, 'Laura' was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant and the American Film Institute named it one of the 10 best mystery films of all time. Once the principal photography had been completed, Preminger hired David Raksin to score the film. The director wanted to use Sophisticated Lady by Duke Ellington for the main theme, but Raksin objected. Alfred Newman, music director for Fox, convinced Preminger to give Raksin a weekend to compose an original tune. Furious, Preminger gave Raksin that weekend, but threatened him with dismissal in case he failed; ultimately, Preminger was so pleased with Raksin's score that he collaborated with him on four more films. The haunting theme can be heard throughout the film and this arrangement has been constructed from an exquisite choir and piano version by British composer Roderick Williams - vibraphone features quite extensively but cued as necessary if not available.
