David Stewart wrote:

>It did seem at times like an exercise in plagarism - there was a definite
>Elgar influence in there, Holst irrefutably, (with the Planets being an
>obvious target), some Waltonish tunes and some bits reminiscent of Brahms
>(but that is probably true of most composers after Brahms).

On one of the new groups there was a thread (I forget the name) concerned
with alleged John Williams rippoffs.  There were an amazing number of
candidates and a *lot* of postings.  I actually got into an argument about
the Superman theme.  I said it was from Korngold's Kings Row.  (It is!) I
forget what the other guy said.

>Is there any 'serious' music that he has written which would deserve any
>special attention.

I heard his Tuba Concerto on bass trombone.  It's a very difficult piece
with a lot of technical bravura.  Nothing great, but entertaining.  I also
heard a touch of his Cello Concerto and wish I heard more.  That sounded
very promising.

I agree with your assessment of most of his film music that I've heard
(which is not all of it).

Roger Hecht