Discuss Van der Valk
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Theme music
posted by wonder2wonderSTAFFMOD on September 19, 2020 at 11:15 PM
The old television series "Van der Valk (1972-1992)" has a catchy tune. In the new series it has changed, but you can still recognize the motif, although it is less prominent and of course sometimes you can hear a few notes/bars in a scene.
Side notes:
In 1973 the single "Eye Level (1972)" by the Simon Park Orchestra reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart earning it a Platinum.
It was originally written by Jack Trombey (a pen name for the Dutch composer and trombonist Jan Stoeckart).
Reply by bratface
on September 20, 2020 at 3:27 AM
Oh my? The first two sound like something that accompanies a 'travelogue'. Not my idea of music that would be 'theme music' for a mystery/cop show? The third I couldn't really hear very well (the sound was weird).
Reply by wonder2wonder
on September 20, 2020 at 4:08 AM
The theme tune has been changed, 'favouring a soundscape of moody strings while piping in the merest whisper of Trombey’s melody, as if a child is picking out Eye Level on piano in the next room'. It's a bit difficult to hear the 'Van der Valk' motif in this new mix. For me it's no problem as I've known different versions of it since the 1970s.
Here's a piano version:
• "Eye Level" - Piano Tutorial
Reply by genplant29
on September 20, 2020 at 4:29 AM
The new series' version definitely is my fave (by a long shot) of the three.
I agree with brat: '72 and '91 sound like for some carefree feel-good series or a travelogue. Reminds me of theme music for like a '70s "Family" type US hour-long show.
Reply by merryapril
on September 20, 2020 at 10:57 PM
There's no accounting for some peoples' taste but I'll willingly concede the older theme is tuneful and catchy (#1 in the charts though?!?!). Like I said on the other thread, the original theme sounds like sitcom music to me, or old fashioned Muzak, circa the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme that Larry David actually heard while in a bank.
Reply by genplant29
on September 21, 2020 at 12:12 AM
I like the new version of the theme, but think making it generally darker and more ominous would suit the series more ideally.