Francis Ford Coppola took an inspired gamble in hiring the Polish composer to realise his Gothic stage production made for the cinema screen. Nothing about Kilar conforms to Hollywood. His classical works and earlier European films for the likes of Polanski and Zanussi, show a style based upon a repetitive form that insinuates itself upon the ear until it becomes unforgettable. "Vampire Hunters" is a superb example, being a cyclic string and brass motif that develops an exciting dynamic by revolving between keys. A pounding drum keeps time and rhythm for a flawlessly edited scene of destroying the vampire's lair. There is also the exquisite theme for Mina and Dracula, which in "Love Remembered" is presented on the composer's favoured instrument, flute. Again, it's through instrumental interchange across repetitions of the theme that the piece achieves its effect. A little sound design ("The Ring Of Fire") offers pause before the tender choral dénouement. Despite the tail-end pop song, this was a blockbuster debut without precedent.

Track Listings

1 Dracula- The Beginning

2 Vampire Hunters

3 Mina's Photo

4 Lucy's Party

5 The Brides

6 The Storm

7 Love Remembered

8 The Hunt Builds

9 The Hunters Prelude

10 The Green Mist

11 Mina/Dracula

12 The Ring Of Fire

13 Love Eternal

14 Ascension

15 End Credits

16 Love Song for a Vampire - Annie Lennox

Product information

Label ‎Sony Music CMG

Number of discs ‎1