Film Music Suites is a collection of Gerhard Daum's original film and television themes that he arranged as symphonic suites and had recorded by the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra in Germany. Released in 2017, the album includes previously unreleased waltzes that Daum composed in a romantic and cinematic style as well as the themes from five European and American films and television series including Felon, Tatort, and the ZDF series Stella Stellaris. All eleven tracks on the album are warm, beautifully scored and easily accessible even if you've never seen the films they come from. I have reviewed quite a few of Gerhard's previous albums over the past eight years or so and am always impressed with his versatility as well as his artistry. Film Music Suites reveals another important aspect of his creative output, and is very different from his jazz and solo piano releases.

Along with composing music, Gerhard Daum is the founder of the German record label, ToneWorks Records, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year (2025). Founded by Daum in Munich, Germany, ToneWorks Records is an independent artist label that releases albums in the contemporary jazz, classical and electronic music, and film music genres with a focus on trumpet/flugelhorn, classical and electric guitars, and neoclassical solo piano. The label also features an international roster of guest musicians along with world music projects and epic film trailer music. ToneWorks offers an ideal platform for albums that combine artistic aspirations and emotional expression, and Daum’s passion for musical diversity is reflected not only in his own albums, but also in the projects he produces with other artists.

Film Music Suites begins with "Curious About Life (from Au Pair)," a poignant and sometimes dreamy waltz that sets the tone of the album - a gorgeous and heartfelt start! "Valse Cinematique" begins with a bassoon solo and then a clarinet solo before the rest of the orchestra joins in. Smooth, graceful and very elegant, it's easy to visualize dancers in long, beautiful gowns swirling to the music as their dapper partners guide them across the floor of a ballroom. The "Tatort Theme" expresses a mysterious feeling as well as a dramatic sweep and features Gerhard on horn along with the orchestra. "Jardin des Fleurs" is a graceful waltz that pays tribute to a "garden of flowers." The cinematic sweep of "Le Temps des Sentiments" suggests a variety of emotions that are light and gently bittersweet. The oboe has a very identifiable sound and "Song for Oboe (from Stella Stellaris)" demonstrates the expressive beauty of the instrument. Light-hearted and sentimental, "Love Poem" also comes from Au Pair, a romantic comedy from 1994. The dark and dramatic, "Felon Suite" is from the 2008 movie, Felon and brings the album to a powerful close.

Film Music Suites is excellent from the first note to the last and I very highly recommend it! It is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora.