Quo Vadis

THIS IS THE BIG ONE!” proclaimed the ads. Miklós Rózsa’s score for the 1951 epic Quo Vadis is one of the biggest “holy grails” for soundtrack collectors, but the loss of the original music tracks has meant that the complete score, unencumbered by effects and/or archival sound quality, has been unavailable – UNTIL NOW! 

Produced by James Fitzpatrick (Tadlow Music) for Prometheus Records, this 2CD Collector’s Edition of the complete score features previously unreleased music (including the complete 7-minute “Burning of Rome” sequence and several cues that were dropped from the film), newly recorded in stunning and dynamic digital sound. From Nero’s songs to arena hymns, from powerful Roman marches and fanfares to a gorgeous love theme, from colorful music at the Roman Bacchanale to fiery music for the burning of Rome, from the exultant “Main Title” to the ecstatic “Finale” – it’s all here! Over 136 minutes of classic and glorious Rózsa, carefully reconstructed from the original studio scores by Leigh Phillips and excitingly performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Nic Raine. Bonus tracks include the premiere complete stereo recording of Rózsa’s Quo Vadis Suite. The 28-page booklet, illustrated with film stills and recording session photographs, includes detailed and informative notes by Frank K. DeWald and background information on the recording by producer Fitzpatrick. 

DISC ONE:

1. OVERTURE (INTERMEZZO) 3:01

2. MAIN TITLE (Original Version) / APPIAN WAY 2:25

3. CALVARY / MARCUS’ CHARIOT 1:06

4. LYGIA / HYMN TO APOLLO 5:15

5. MARCUS AND LYGIA / PREGHIERA 5:27

6. DANCE OF THE VESTAL VIRGINS 1:04

7. FANFARES FOR NERO / HAIL NERO (TRIUMPHAL MARCH)

4:13

8. EUNICE / THE HOSTAGE 1:41

9. THE WOMEN’S QUARTERS OF NERO / ROMAN BACCHANALE 5:26

10. THIRD FANFARE FOR NERO / ASSYRIAN DANCE 3:55

11. THE BURNING OF TROY 1:44

12. FANFARE FOR THE WRESTLERS / SICILIANA ANTIQUA / DANCE OF THE MUSES 4:33

13. ESCAPE / PETRONIUS AND EUNICE / CHILO 5:18

14. JESU LORD / THE LAST SUPPER / RESURRECTION HYMN (Orchestra and Choir) 3:44

15. VAE VICTIS / CARITAS 5:48

16. MEA CULPA / NON OMNIA VINCIT AMOR / TEMPTATION 4:09

17. EUNICE’S SONG AT ANTIUM / PETRONIUS’ PRESENTIMENT 2:35

18. MARCUS AND POPPAEA 2:35

19. CHARIOT CHASE 3:43

Total Disc Time: 67:53 

DISC TWO:

1. PRELUDE TO SECOND PART / THE ROAD TO ROME / THE BURNING OF ROME 7:03

2. THE BURNING OF ROME (Nero’s Fire Song) 2:41

3. TU ES PETRUS 3:30

4. PETRONIUS’ MEDITATION / PETRONIUS’ DECISION 2:29

5. THE PRISON / THE VISION OF PETER 4:02

6. PETRONIUS’ BANQUET MUSIC / PETRONIUS’ DEATH (Parts 1 & 2) 3:03

7. AVE CAESAR / FOURTH FANFARE FOR NERO 1:14

8. FIRST ARENA FANFARE / WHERE O DEATH ? / SECOND ARENA FANFARE / RESURRECTION HYMN (A cappella choir) 3:22

9. THIRD ARENA FANFARE / AFTERMATH / HYMEN / ECCE HOMO PETRUS 5:46

10. FANFARE FOR BURNING / INCARNATE GODHEAD / FIFTH FANFARE FOR NERO / FANFARE FOR URSUS & LYGIA / UPON THESE LILIES 2:20

11. FANFARE FOR THE BULL / FINIS POPPAEA / NERO’S SUICIDE 5:50

12. HAIL GALBA 1:31

13. FINALE AND CHORUS 2:31

14. EPILOGUE 2:36

BONUS TRACK:

15. MAIN TITLE (Film Version) 1:32 

QUO VADIS CONCERT SUITE 

16. AVE CAESAR (TRIUMPHAL MARCH) 4:16

17.ROMANZA 6:45

18. ARABESQUE 3:54

19. QUO VADIS DOMINE? 4:10

Total Disc Time: 68:43