Flame in the Wind Sheffey
Dwight Gustafson
Caldera Records is proud to present the original scores for the motion pictures “Flame in the Wind” and “Sheffey” from 1971 and 1977 respectively.
Both films were produced by Unusual Film, a division of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. “Flame in the Wind” is set during the time of the Spanish Inquisition and follows a young man named Carlos who is faced with a conflict throughout the course of the motion picture: should he, horrified by the Inquisition, follow the Bible, or adhere to religious tradition?
“Sheffey” was an even bigger undertaking, a lavish and expensive production: Born in 1820, Robert Sheffey was a Methodist evangelist who spent his lifetime taking care of those in need, traveling through Virginia and Tennessee and preaching the word of God.
The music for both films was composed by Dwight Gustafson. Born in 1930, Gustafson was named acting dean of the School of Fine Arts at BJU at 24. He served as administrator, taught, composed, conducted and preached until his retirement in 1997.
The music for “Flame in the Wind” is based around three themes which recur throughout the score, which was issued on an LP by Unusual Films in 1971. Gustafson wrote a leitmotif for the film’s hero Carlos which is supposed to reveal the pathos and heroism of the young man as he tries to find his way. The second theme, a rather eerie, instrumental melody for the Inquisition expresses the repression and terror for which the inquisitors are responsible, while a triumphant chorale seeks to honor the true believers who have lost their lives due to their faith in Jesus Christ during the Spanish Inquisition.
“Sheffey” follows a different musical conception, although Gustafon’s style is unmistakable. Since the film, through the life of Robert Sheffey, tells the story of folk religion, Gustafson decided to employ various folk tunes as seemed appropriate to backbone for his score.
Both “Flame in the Wind” and “Sheffey” were composed, orchestrated and conducted by Dwight Gustafson and recorded with the Bob Jones University Symphony Orchestra, composed of students and faculty. LPs of both scores were made available by Unusual Films/BJU to coincide with the film releases.
The 35th Caldera CD features a detailed booklet-text by Stephan Eicke and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was mastered by Richard Moore and produced by Stephan Eicke and John Elborg.
C6035
Music Composed by Dwight Gustafson
Album Produced by Stephan Eicke
Executive Producers for Caldera Records: John Elborg, Stephan Eicke
Album Art Direction and Design: Luis Miguel Rojas
Flame in the Wind
1. Title Music (4:25)
2. The Journey of the Inquisitors (1:59)
3. The Birth of Carlos (2:38)
4. The Monks Escape (2:57)
5. The Dungeon (2:15)
6. The Capture of Carlos (2:38)
7. Processional for the Auto-Da-Fe (3:44)
8. The Tribunal Hall (1:59)
9. The Torture (3:43)
10. The Penitent Returns to Christ (2:47)
11. The Burning of the Martyrs (3:07)
Sheffey
12. Title Music (2:03)
13. Disturbance at Revival (1:26)
14. Salvation Hymn (1:35)
15. Young Sheffey in Hills (2:15)
16. Sheffey and Children (0:54)
17. Sheepskin (3:26)
18. Wabash (3:24)
19. Journey in Snow (1:45)
20. Engagement (1:16)
21. The Campground Returns (2:27)
22. Farewell to Gideon (3:54)
23. Tragedy in the Wilderness (2:18)
24. The Campground Burns (3:47)
25. Death of Elizah (2:05)
26. End of the Journey (3:42)
Reviews
“This is an essential purchase for any lover of quality film music, an unusual but welcomed release, it is the 35th soundtrack CD to be issued by the Caldera label. Well worth adding to your collection.”
Jon Mansell, Movie Music International
“Yet again Caldera Records do what they do best – delivering a wonderful recording to the attention of a much wider audience, with the love and devotion that the scores rightly deserve. Once again the label spoils its loyal fan base.”
Review Graveyard
“This is both an unexpected and delightful release of two scores that are both highly engaging, each in their own way. The first score presents itself as a tone poem for brass and strings, evoking music by Miklos Rozsa, Ernest Gold and Michael J. Lewis for historical epics. The second score consists of romantic, melodic Americana.”
Underscores
“Both of these films contain first rate dramatic, Hollywood-worthy film scores, and you don’t have to be against or for BJU or its politics to discover the symphonic mastery of these compositions. FLAME IN THE WIND is provided with a captivating thematic orientation suitable to its story and focus, with a main theme reflecting Carlos’ search for spiritual truth, contrasted against a darker motif that delineates the terrors of the Inquisition itself.”
BuySoundtrax
“It’s a remarkable score infused with lyrical folk music, featuring a beautiful main theme and a variety of similarly evocative themes.”
MundoBSO