The image below is my personal research hand-copy of the "Joseph & Marry" cue in King of King. It was
otherwise known on the LP as "The Virgin Mary." The cue is 10 pages in length or 38 bars (1:39 duration). The first six bars were cut in the LP
(the scene when Herod collapses). The tempo-marking that you cannot see in this image is Moderato in 4/4 time. The
oboe, 2 clarinets and bass clarinet there do not play until Bar 9.
The initial tonality in Bar 1 (Herod scene) appears to be the E half-diminished 7th (E/G/Bb/D). Herrmann's favorite or most employed seventh chord was the half-dim 7th (such as mild tension-suspense or anticipatory scenes, poignant scenes, etc.) and I noticed that Rozsa used it fairly enough himself. In Bar 3 when Herod starts to actually collapse, the tonality becomes more involved and a bit ambiguous as the scene becomes more stressed out.I think the basic tonality is the F minor 7th (F/Ab/C/Eb) but with added B-D notes so overlapping and unclear tonality (that is, what Rozsa intended) but perhaps added dissonant 2nds or a fully diminished chord overlaid. I don't know but the result is effective on the screen. I can see why the LP producers cut those first six bars since it is out of place with the character of the "Joseph & Mary" mood that starts gently in Bar 7 ("new Bar 1" in the LP).
http://img527.imageshack.us/i/img0003wi.jpg/
The initial tonality in Bar 1 (Herod scene) appears to be the E half-diminished 7th (E/G/Bb/D). Herrmann's favorite or most employed seventh chord was the half-dim 7th (such as mild tension-suspense or anticipatory scenes, poignant scenes, etc.) and I noticed that Rozsa used it fairly enough himself. In Bar 3 when Herod starts to actually collapse, the tonality becomes more involved and a bit ambiguous as the scene becomes more stressed out.I think the basic tonality is the F minor 7th (F/Ab/C/Eb) but with added B-D notes so overlapping and unclear tonality (that is, what Rozsa intended) but perhaps added dissonant 2nds or a fully diminished chord overlaid. I don't know but the result is effective on the screen. I can see why the LP producers cut those first six bars since it is out of place with the character of the "Joseph & Mary" mood that starts gently in Bar 7 ("new Bar 1" in the LP).
http://img527.imageshack.us/i/img0003wi.jpg/
