VARÈSE SARABANDE & CRAFT RECORDINGS TO RELEASE

DELUXE EDITION OF DAVID NEWMAN’S SCORE

FOR JOSS WHEDON’S SERENITY ON VINYL

 

The 2-LP set marks the first-ever release of

the expanded Deluxe Edition album on vinyl

 

“Browncoat” color variant limited to 500 copies,

available exclusively at VareseSarabande.com

Click here to pre-order

 

Los Angeles, CA (April 23, 2024) – Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings are excited to announce the first-ever vinyl release for David Newman’s expanded Deluxe Edition score for Joss Whedon’s cult-classic space-western Serenity.  Serenity (2005) was the feature film sequel of Joss Whedon’s short-lived TV series Firefly (2002–2003). When fans lamented the loss of the canceled show, Universal rescued the titular spaceship and its charismatic crew (including Nathan Fillion, Morena Baccarin, Gina Torres and Alan Tudyk) for a big-screen adventure written and directed by Whedon. Set in 2517, Serenity is the story of the crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The captain and first mate are veterans of the Unification War, having fought on the losing Independent side against the Alliance. Their lives of smuggling and cargo-running are interrupted by a psychic passenger who harbors a dangerous secret.

 

The expanded Deluxe Edition version of composer David Newman’s score for the film arrives on vinyl for the first time ever as a 2-LP Translucent Blue vinyl set, packaged in a jacket featuring new artwork by acclaimed illustrator Matt Sheean, a fold-out poster, and new liner notes by Daniel Schweiger. Set for release on June 28th, and available for pre-order now, the 2-LP set will also be available in a Varèse Sarabande Vinyl Club variant (pressed on “Browncoat” vinyl and limited to 500 copies) exclusively at VareseSarabande.com.

 

In pre-production memos, Whedon described his vision for the score as “spare, intimate, mournful and indefatigable.” Just as the landscape and speech drew from elements of the Western, he wished the same of the musical style and instrumentation. This thought process led Whedon to acclaimed composer David Newman, whose vast and diverse filmography made him well-prepared for anything the film might throw at him. From worldbuilding to character comedy to harrowing action, the score runs the gamut—but always hews to a sense of family and “home” for the Serenity and her offbeat crew. Solo cello and folksy percussion are found alongside eerie “ethnic” approaches, which turn dark and brutal for the barbaric villains, the Reavers, as the film explores their secret origin. But Newman balances the weirdness with familiar, dramatic orchestral scoring, ultimately creating an eclectic tapestry for Whedon’s unique vision.

 

Varèse Sarabande originally released the soundtrack for Serenity in conjunction with the film’s theatrical release as a 23-track, 50-minute program. This Deluxe Edition expands the album into a program of 54 tracks, featuring 90 minutes of prime David Newman sci-fi action, adventure and emotion.

 

Click here to pre-order Serenity (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

 

 

Tracklist: Serenity (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

 

Side A

1. Opening / Intro To River
2. Escape
3. The Operative
4. Death Of Mathias
5. Serenity
6. Going For A Ride
7. Trading Station Robbery
8. Reaver Chase
9. Pop Goes The Reaver
10. They Never Lie Down
11. Mal Reminisces
12. Transition

 

Side B

1. Maidenhead Bar
2. River Goes Wild
3. Mal Takes River In
4. River’s Eyes
5. Mal’s Decision
6. Universe
7. Subliminal Message
8. River & Simon In Locker
9. Haven Guitar
10. Come At You Sideways
11. School Flashback
12. Mal & Inara
13. Flight To Training House
14. Training House Fight
15. Escape From Training House
16. School Flashback / Miranda
17. River Gets Out
18. River Shows Mal & Miranda
19. Haven Destroyed
20. Shepherd Book’s Last Words
21. Warn Everyone We Know
22. You’re Not A Reaver

 

Side C

1. Mal Decides
2. Population Dead
3. Truth / Mal’s Speech
4. Universe Gets It
5. Space Battle
6. Crash Landing
7. Wash Killed / Run To Black Room
8. Universe Dead

 

Side D

1. Generator Room
2. Mal & OP Fight
3. Simon Shot / River Runs
4. Jayne & Zoe / Final Battle
5. Broadcast Beams / River Is Alive
6. Funeral / Rebuilding Serenity
7. Prep For Flight
8. Love / Serenity
9. End Credits Pt. 1
10. End Credits Pt. 2
11. End Credits Pt. 3

 

 

About Varèse Sarabande:

Varèse Sarabande is one of the leading and most prolific producers of film and television soundtracks. The label was formed as a merger between Varèse International Records (named for composer Edgar Varèse) and Sarabande Records (named after a musical dance form). Initially a classical label, Varèse Sarabande has released thousands of soundtracks and new recordings of classic film scores conducted by celebrated composers with the world’s best-known orchestras since 1977. The label upped the ante for fans by creating the Varèse Sarabande CD Club—releasing exclusive limited-edition deluxe soundtracks featuring rare and long-requested titles. The CD Club ran initially from 1989–92 and was restarted in 2001, and Varèse continues to create Deluxe Editions of cherished scores that might otherwise never see a release.  Since joining Concord in 2018, Varèse Sarabande continues its mission to release new scores, high quality vinyl and Deluxe Edition soundtracks.

 

For more info, visit VareseSarabande.com and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

 

About Craft Recordings:

Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Joan Baez, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, R.E.M., Joan Sebastian, and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Evanescence, Alison Krauss, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers.

 

Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

 

 

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