Titanic: Classical Selections from the Film (1997)

Here are the sessions for the classical music in Titanic, performed by the orchestra seen in the film (I Salonisti) – this is the music that was recorded for the period parts of the film as played by the ship’s band, mostly played during the sinking sequences or as diegetic music. I got this back before the anniversary edition, so much of this has now been released in the 2012 re-release (d’oh), but there are ~9 extra songs from what’s on the released album, some of which used to be on I Salonisti’s website. I’ve also included a few additional songs to round out the set. The notable exception from this list is the film version of "Nearer, My God To Thee", which is on the Back to Titanic and Anniversary Edition soundtracks, but there are sound effects at the end. Since that’s on my version of Back to Titanic, it’s not included here. I made my own album art as well so it looks like a standalone release.

1. Valse Septembre
2. Marguerite Waltz
3. Wedding Dance
4. Poet and Peasant
5. Blue Danube
6. Song Without Words
7. Fr�hlingslied
8. Estudiantina
9. Vision of Salome
10. Titsy Bitsy Girl
11. Alexander’s Ragtime Band
12. Alexander’s Ragtime Band (piano solo)
13. Sphinx
14. Barcarole
15. Orpheus
16. Autumn
17. Nearer My God to Thee (Alternate Version)
18. Nocturne
19. Aus Tannh�user
20. Miss Hook of Holland
21. Ave Maria
22. Barber of Seville
23. Meditation
24. Ave Maria (Alternate)
25. Sonatina Transatlantique*
26. Nearer My God to Thee (Alternate Take)*
27. Rose (Classical)*
28. Never an Absolution / Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch / Hymn to the Sea*

* = not part of the original sessions

Historical notes: There are two versions of "Nearer, My God to Thee" that were popular in 1912. Wallace Hartley, the bandleader, remarked that if he were on a sinking ship, then he would play "Nearer, My God to Thee", but the exact version is unknown, so it’s interesting that there were two versions recorded for the film. Harold Bride, wireless officer of the Titanic, recalled hearing the song "Autumn". The exact song played by the band remains unknown, but Cameron went with the traditional version of "Nearer My God to Thee" based on the historical consensus at the time. Much of this is incidental music, but some of the classical music can be heard in behind-the-scenes featurettes, although much can be heard faintly throughout the film. Much of the music also includes a piano, notably "Orpheus" – you can hear the piano in the portion that’s played in the film, but obviously a piano wasn’t on deck during the sinking (although the real Titanic did have several pianos).

Could you please share this this beautiful collection of period-music and cinema soundtrack? I’m deeply interested on it!

ps. I PM you but I’m not quite sure I sent it correctly, so I also write in here!

Cheers!!! 🙂