Rocky IV: Original Motion Picture Score

Rocky IV: Original Motion Picture Score

The 1985 sequel Rocky IV marked a new rhythm for the series, one that matched the glossy look and tightly-edited feel of the rock videos that were in vogue on MTV. This new tone would see Bill Conti s traditional orchestral approach (Rocky I, II, and III) replaced by the driving, synth-heavy score of Vince DiCola. Rocky IV would become DiCola's first full-fledged composing assignment and yet he didn t go so far as to reinvent the symphonic style Conti had established. DiCola developed the major musical conflict in his score between the cold, Terminator-like electronics for Ivan Drago, and the warm, sympathetic orchestra of Rocky Balboa. From the get-go of this project, Jeremy Lubbock (orchestrator) told me that he perceived the orchestra as being submissive to the synths, which he viewed as being the meat and potatoes of the soundtrack. And we got that beefy, fat and colorful sound from using big modular synthesizers like The Moog, Emu and Oberheim," reflects DiCola. Familiar themes weave in and out of a new soundscape for Rocky IV, giving a new face to an old friend and providing a new, thrilling, aural experience. Just as Rocky Balboa was evolving over the course of the films, so was the music. Though the Rocky series had begun apolitically, the title character would turn from underdog icon to pop messiah for Rocky IV, draped in the American flag as he triumphed against Russia s Captain Ivan Drago, an indestructible man-machine who still stands tall as Balboa s fiercest opponent. Not only was this 1985 film released at the height of President Reagan s renewed Cold War against the evil empire, but Hollywood was also having a field day disparaging the Commies with the likes of Red Dawn and White Nights. While a song album was released at the time of the film and did feature several minutes of the DiCola score, Intrada presents the premiere release of the complete Rocky IV score from the complete stereo session elements.