Denny Jaeger - The Hunger: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Beauty and terror

The film "The Hunger" is a superb vampire film, unique and erotic. The actors; David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve, and Susan Sarandon, are absolutely perfect in their roles. Now the CD soundtrack of the film should be described so that you will want to know if you should buy it or not. The best way to say this is that the CD is an odd mixture of heaven and hell. The classical music on the CD is ethereal, sophisticated, floating, and sublime. Schubert's Trio in E-flat, Op. 100 is contemplative and sad, mature and measured, cerebral and controlled - just as you would think the mind of a 2000 year old vampire would be.
Bach's Suite #1 for Solo Cello in G-Major and his Partita #3 in E-Major, Gavotte En Rondeu are wonderful. The shining star however is Delibes' Lakme duet for sopranos. In this version, a piano prelude to the duet is elegant and seductive, followed by the amazing harmony of the two female singers. So why did I give it 3 stars? The original music composed for the film which is also included in the CD is down-right frightful. Don't listen to this music when alone, since it evokes feelings of terror and violence. I loved the classical works from the film but the original music, meant to accompany the film is best appreciated while watching the film itself. October 8, 2007

A stunning soundtrack

"The Hunger" is easily one of my favorite vampire films of all time. You got David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve along with some gorgeous classical/ambient music. What more can one ask for? Maybe the inclusion of immortal classic "Bela Lugosi's Dead" on the soundtrack but that probably would have probably detracted the sumptuous classical melodies of the soundtrack. Other than that slight flaw, I absolutely love "The Hunger". The soundtrack is a mixture of classical and ambient music. The combination works. The classical tracks are gorgeous. Michel Rubini's film score is nothing short of spine-tingling.His music has the right elements to fit whatever eerie scene it is accompanying in the film. I could definitely hear and feel the terror in his music especially on "The Arisen". Rubini's music had the same elements that made the film score to "Psycho" so eerie and terrifying. Of course can't forget about Delibes' breathtaking "Lakme" (aka Flower Duet). All in all, "The Hunger" is a pretty darn good soundtrack. This is how soundtracks to vampire films ought to sound like. It is both beautiful and terrifying. September 26, 2006

Why is "The Gallows" Missing?

La Deneuve sat at her piano grieving for dead David Bowie in THE HUNGER and played PatriciadelaRocchia's version of "The Gallows", and THAT was pop-cinema trash history, and, darn, it ain't even on here!!

Which happens a lot with licensing and trying to put together a soundtrack that's affordable. That doesn't detract from the gems that are here by Shubert and Delibes, but the Electronic stuff --- hmmm, mixed bag of atmospherics. November 2, 2005

Super score for a super film!

After all these years, 'The Hunger' is still unlike any film of its kind. The music plays a large part in its mystique and 're-sale' value. A more comprehensive CD with the missing parts should be planned as 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' is missing and helped set the tone of the film. Productions like this don't come along often enough. I gave it 4 stars only because of the missing pieces. February 28, 2003

This should get 5 Stars but...

There are key classical numbers and arrangements that are missing here. The cd IS worth buying and is wonderful. A great version of Lakme with piano is in here. But they should do a more comprehensive soundtrack or an additional one. When the dvd finally comes out I will scrutinize the music credits in depth.

Update: Here is what SHOULD be on this cd for non-original music-

Non-Original Music by
Gregorio Allegri (from "Miserere")
Daniel Ash (song "Bela Lugosi is Dead")
Johann Sebastian Bach (from "Suite #1 for solo cello in G-major/Partita #3 in E-major")
Léo Delibes (from "Lakmé")
Kevin Haskins (song "Bela Lugosi is Dead") (as Bauhaus)
David J (song "Bela Lugosi is Dead")
Edouard Lalo (from "Piano Trio No. 1 in C")
Peter Murphy (song "Bela Lugosi is Dead")
Maurice Ravel ("Le Gibet" from "Gaspard de la nuit")
Franz Schubert (from "Trio in E flat Op. 100")

As you can see the pieces by Lalo and Ravel are sorely missed as well as Bauhaus "Bela Lagosi Is Dead"
November 7, 2002

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