Almost every Korngold compilation features something from Robin Hood, but this represents the first recording of the complete score by the accomplished trio of conductor William Stromberg, musicologist John Morgan and the musicians of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. As a film, Robin Hood has all a composer could want for a colourful, dynamic score and of course Korngold delivers beyond wildest expectations. There is scintillating action that mirrors the agility of the performers onscreen, but without ever becoming disjointed or unmusical. It is astonishing to think that Korngold composed music that has such a miraculous synergy with the action by simply playing the film repeatedly and improvising along to it on the piano. The music seems frighteningly difficult when shared between dozens of orchestral players, but seemingly impossible to make up as one went along on the piano; I guess that would be the genius part of Korngold. Of course, not every frame is breathless action and there are a myriad of equally lovely interludes, from the swaggering March of the Merry Men - ostensibly the film's main theme - to the velvety romance music for Robin and Marian. Each mood and action is captured so perfectly in music that it simply plays as a ballet based on the story, the film is almost redundant to its own score.
The only album containing more than a brief suite from the score is the Kojian album on Varese Sarabande with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, which was limited in length as the selections were chosen to fit on an LP, but lacked nothing in technical prowess or faithfulness. Compared to this latest disc, Kojian offers a more lithe performance and in a change from usual, the Varese disc has a much cleaner, more upfront acoustic. By contrast, the Marco Polo recording has a more weighty sound which gives it a more beefy and richer sound as opposed to the much more incisive Kojian. I never imagined I'd be able to compare the quality of performance for multiple re-recordings, but in this case it's am embarrassment of riches. Of course, no Korngold fan should go without either disc as they both offer equally superb, but different takes on the same always sublime music. Overall, I suppose Marco Polo win on points due to the longer release and the typically extensive and detailed liner notes covering the making of the film, the conception of the score and a track by track analysis. Essential.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 78:27