



Composer Tristram Cary (1925-2008), had previously scored Ealing Studios’ The Ladykillers amongst other films and went on to write another soundtrack for Hammer, Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb (1971). His interest in electronics began during his time in the Royal Navy operating radar equipment and he established several early electronic studios, including the Electronic Music Studio Ltd. which created the first commercially available portable synthesiser, the VCS 3.
This vinyl release features electronic cues from Quatermass and the Pit, a fascinating insight into the beginnings of electronic music and its development through the horror/sci-fi film genres. The full soundtrack to the film, a tense and atmospheric score for full orchestra, is available on a separate release.
“I was not mad about doing the film because Hammer wanted masses of electronic material and a great deal of orchestral music. But I had three kids, all of which were at fee-paying schools, so I needed every penny I could get!… The main use of electronics in Quatermass, I think, was the violent shaking, vibrating sound that the ‘thing in the tunnel’ gave off… It was not a terribly challenging sound to do, though I never played it very loud because I didn’t want to destroy my speakers – I did have hopes of destroying a few cinema loudspeaker systems, though it never happened” – Tristram Cary
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