Forums > Queen - Serious Discussion > Macbeth info

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From Jason's Trainspotter's Guide
"Macbeth

Soundtrack music recorded in 1990, for the Red and Gold Theatre Company production of Macbeth. Parts of it had actually been written long before Brian was asked to provide it, and the request allowed Brian to find a home for it. Its not exactly a commercial recording, being suitably "arty" to accompany the stage show. However its very atmospheric, even out of context. Best listened to late at night, with the lights off. Two versions exist, although neither is widely available.

Live Version
The most common version is a live recording of the actual stage show. Quite long, this even includes the actors voices over the music in places. The audience noise is intrusive at times too, not helped by the fact that the music is often quite quiet. Its a piece that needs to be listened to properly, to appreciate it fully, and this version doesn't really do it justice, although it is the longest version available. The music here is also blended into a more continuous piece than than the original, which was basically a collection of "snippets".

Original Version
Much rarer, this actually originates from a 3.5" computer floppy disc, i.e. its not even on tape. The music was originally written on a computer (Brian likes his gadgets!) and was only mastered onto cassette so that it could be played over the theatre's PA system.The version on cassette was also remixed for the theatre, so that it would flow seamlessly from one part to the next (as said before, the original is a collection of short segments). Once the remixing/remastering onto cassette was completed, Brian finished with the floppy disc and abandoned it. It soon acquired a legitimate owner, and the one and only original is now safely tucked away. Again though, a few illegal pirate copies have surfaced (not circulated by the current owner). Its a much shorter piece, but has no audience noise or other distractions. All the elements from the "live" version are here, but in significantly better sound quality. Although still an acquired taste for some, really."

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To me it seems as you have a wild mix of Furia, Flash Gordon, Macbeth and even The Cross live show... :) I don't know really...

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I went to see this production at the Riverside Theatre in 1990, and met Brian May at the bar.

He had a big cardboard box full of cassettes, which I assumed contained the soundtrack. He appeared to be handing these out to everyone involved in the production.

Any bootleg copies of the soundtrack (rather than audience recordings) would most likely have originated from one of these cassettes.

If I had been cheeky, I would have asked for one myself - it was a BIG box.

To tell you the truth, I was just totally blown away by meeting Brian so unexpectedly - one second the bar was empty, the next second there he was crouching over this big cardboard box.