Music for Performance
MR. SKEFFINGTON
1944
Movements
Suite 5:11
1. Forsaken & Finale
2. A Lament for Orchestra
Program Notes
The first section of the Suite from Mr. Skeffington (Warner Bros., 1944), “Forsaken” in the film, is a scene where a former beauty (Bette Davis) really sees herself in the mirror for the first time; diphtheria has left her disfigured. The piece concludes with the bitter-sweet “finale” from the film when she turns back to her now blind husband (Claude Rains). Both actors were nominated for Oscars for their tour de force performances. In musical terms, Waxman saw the character of Fanny Trellis (Davis) like the Marschallin in the Richard Strauss opera Der Rosenkavalier. His score ends as a tribute to a composer whose music he admired.
Vincent Sherman’s film also features Walter Abel, Marjorie Riordon and Delores Gray.
Instr.
Forsaken & Finale
2.afl.1.EH.3.bcl(asx).
2(II=dbn)
4.3.3.1
timp.perc(2): mar,vib,gong,SD,BD
2 harps
pft
novachord
elec vln solo
str
A Lament for Orchestra
3(III=afl).1.EH.3.bcl.
1.dbn
4.3.3.1
timp.perc(3): vib,mar,gong,SD,
BD,cyms
2 harps
pft
str