Composer Richard Einhorn may be best known for Voices of Light, his 1994 work inspired by the 1928 silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc. But Einhorn has a lengthy resume in both the worlds of classical and film, successfully marrying both in Voices. On Monday, Kritzerland began taking pre-orders for a world premiere release, Einhorn’s score to Arthur Penn’s 1987 thriller, Dead of Winter.

Despite Penn’s stellar pedigree and a cast including Mary Steenburgen and Roddy McDowall, Dead of Winter was met with decidedly mixed reviews. The plot was pretty standard issue horror in the faux Hitchcock vein, with Steenburgen as the imperiled heroine, Katie, who bears a striking resemblance to actress Julia Ross (also played by Steenburgen), who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Penn enjoyed playing with genre staples like the ominous house, blackmail, mistaken identity and looming paranoia. Roger Ebert found the end result “an exercise in silliness,” but other critics found the film “fun,” “clever” and “hair-raising.” Dead of Winter may have appeared as a throwback in 1987, but at least in the musical department, it was a throwback of the best kind. Rather than bow to then-current tastes, Einhorn provided a score in the classic suspense mode, utilizing an orchestra instead of synthesizers. His atmospheric, moody score complemented Penn’s vision exceptionally well, and Kritzerland’s soundtrack marks its first-ever release. In addition to the full score mastered directly from Einhorn’s personal digital tapes, a bonus suite of alternate cues is presented.

Dead of Winter is a limited edition of 1,000 copies and can be pre-ordered here for $19.98. The official release date is the first week of December, but pre-orders likely will arrive earlier. Hit the jump for the track listing and sound samples!

Dead of Winter: Original MGM Soundtrack Recording (Kritzerland KR-20017-3, 2010 - original film released 1987)

1. Main Title / New York Drive
2. Whistle in the Dark/Julie’s Murder
3. Walk to the Audition / Katie’s Choice / The Apartment
4. The Drive North
5. I’m All Yours / Makeover
6. Delivering the Tape / Our Game Continues
7. Photo Opportunity /There is Nothing Else You Don’t Know
8. You’re Shivering
9. The Escape
10. Drugged Hot Chocolate
11. Murray Strikes Match
12. Katie’s Missing Finger
13. Katie Through the Looking Glass
14. Call the Cops
15. You’re Going to Kill Me / Cop in the Attic
16. Katie Finds Julie Again / Up We Go / Evelyn Has a Knife / Evelyn Takes a Stab At Dr. Lewis
17. Katie’s Fake Escape / Katie and Evelyn Fight
18. Katie Goes Upstairs with Mr. Murray
19. Lewis At Mirror
20. Lewis in Attic / The Final Struggle / Ascension / Resolution / Finale
21. Bonus Suite of Alternate Cues: Main Title / New Year’s Drive / Whistle in the Dark / Our Game Continues / The Escape