Maurice Jarre had recently scored The Train (1964) for Frankenheimer, and provided one of cinema's all-time famous scores in Dr. Zhivago (1965) for MGM. Grand Prix, also from MGM, was hurriedly completed for Christmas 1966 release and Jarre was more or less left on his own to provide music that scored the personal journeys of the characters, rather than the visceral thrill of the racing (which was largely conveyed by sound effects in Frankenheimer's naturalistic approach).

Jarre's main theme evokes the pomp and grandeur of the Grand Prix experience, while two secondary themes apply to the French (Montand) and English (Bedford) racecar drivers. The score is beautifully melodic and sensitive, with a wafting Continental flavor that is at once refined yet accessible ‹ Jarre's career in a nutshell. Few other composers have been able to so elegantly provide the sense of a theatrical frame as Jarre, while maintaining an intimacy with the characters ‹ an achievement he nimbly repeats in Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix soundtrack was previously released on LP and CD but this newly restored and expanded version features superior sound quality (remixed from the original 35mm three-track magnetic film sessions), and eliminates the sound effects that briefly appeared on a couple of tracks on the vinyl. Tracks 1-20 present the complete score, while tracks 21-30 feature alternate and album selections.

Packaging & Liner Notes
Standard jewel case. Superb colour booket. Liner notes are by Paul Andrew MacLean, featuring new interview comments by Jarre.