JudyBarton
02-02-2016, 11:59 PM
BERNARD HERRMANN - What is your favourite Herrmann track?

That is what I would love to know!

Share your best Herrmann track with us!




Judy's favourite:

Temptation (Psycho) 1960

It has it all: suspense, doubt, hope. It pulls you into the screen, into the mind of Marion and you know it is not going to end well for Miss Marion.
Absolute greatness!

Marcin24
02-03-2016, 12:21 AM
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir - Prelude; Local Train; The Sea (Elmer Bernstein - conductor)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1g5H0kZvqU :)

steviefromalaska
02-03-2016, 01:31 AM
The Main Titles from THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958). The music evokes anticipation of the wonders awaiting us in Ray Harryhausen's classic magical fantasy.

0neand0neand0ne
02-03-2016, 02:01 AM
All of the wonder that is "Vertigo" and most of the tracks in "The Day The Earth Stood Still."

Doctor Go
02-03-2016, 02:38 AM
Radar - "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

Though the giant chicken fight (can't remember title) from the "Mysterious Island" runs a close second.

bullaherrmann
02-03-2016, 02:40 AM
"Airport" from "Obsession". The CODA is absolutely amazing with the timpanis sounds so forte!!!

SheriffJoe
02-03-2016, 03:25 AM
The Prelude from Fahrenheit 451

moviemusicsi
02-03-2016, 03:32 AM
Vertigo - an amazing score to an amazing film

Its difficult to pick an actual track as all of his music was quite unique ... he was the master !!

2fussy
02-03-2016, 04:02 AM
The entire Talos sequence from Jason And The Argonauts. Impending doom if ever I heard it.

Creedmoor
02-03-2016, 04:33 AM
"It's a Most Unusual Day" from "North by Northwest.
Proof that Herrmann can make even elevator music sound sprightly.

Alamo
02-03-2016, 04:55 AM
Elegy from Beneath the 12 Mile Reef.

parney
02-03-2016, 06:26 AM
Finale from Fahrenheit 451

Vertigo1958
02-03-2016, 06:54 AM
My favourite film is Vertigo, so my favourite track has to be Scene d'Amour. I love the way the track so softly and builds, slowly, until it reaches that lush romantic climax, moves into a panicked mode that hints at the badness to come, before it forcefully returns to the now. with a grand romantic ending that nevertheless leaves you unsettled.

But one track I always find fascinating is the theme from Twisted Nerve. I'm positive I had never heard the track before, never heard of the film, but when I saw Kill Bill, I could recognise the tune as something Herrmann would have written from very early in the scene (well before those distinctive chords or heightened climax were reached).

it15
02-03-2016, 08:28 AM
Nocturne (Ghost & Mrs. Muir), Ballad Of Springfield Mountain (The Devil And Daniel Webster), The Road And Finale (Fahrenheit 451)... there are too many of them just to pick one :)

davywiz2
02-03-2016, 08:42 AM
Tough one, but I'd have to say it's between "The Wild Ride" from North by Northwest, "The Rainstorm" from Psycho or "Scottie's Nightmare" from Vertigo.

bullz698
02-03-2016, 10:26 AM
Meditation (The magnificent Ambersons) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4IYSMi19nE)

Andante Cantabile (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caZC_2YCGTk)

soundtrekker
02-03-2016, 10:59 AM
That's a tough one, Herrmann is brilliant in almost everything he has composed. If I had to choose just one track, I would certainly go to "Vertigo" (his best score) and pick "The Nightmare":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQbboUwRdns

This is an absolute stunning musical piece that starts slow and melancholic, then gets some momentum when the dream starts, and relentlessly goes on and on until it reaches the climax of the nightmare at about 2:30. You have to watch the video to see how brilliantly the visuals were done with the special effects. Combined with the music this is a cinematically perfect movie scene. You can almost feel the agony and desperation that Scottie is experiencing in his dream. Herrmann was the congenial partner to Hitch, he always understood what he was trying to express with his visualizations, and delivered what was needed.

zelig46
02-03-2016, 11:02 AM
Main Title from "The Kentuckian"
Nightmare from "Vertigo"
Main Title From "North By Northwest"
Main Title and Radar from "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

Petros
02-03-2016, 06:00 PM
Bernard Herrmann is my favourite composer.
I think that no one compares to him.
I love his music!
It's so difficult to choose just one track.
Since my favourite film is "Vertigo",
I would have to pick one from this score.
"Prelude And Rooftop" or "Carlotta's Portrait" or "Scene D'Amour".

realmusicfan
02-03-2016, 08:30 PM
How to chose with such film music pure genius ?

My answer would be a repertoire work: "FOR THE FALLEN".

What an heartbreaking piece of music !!!

JudyBarton
02-04-2016, 01:35 AM
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir - Prelude; Local Train; The Sea (Elmer Bernstein - conductor)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1g5H0kZvqU :)

This is great and lovely indeed, Mr. Bernstein did a great job on this score! Thank you Mieszko, I am listening to it now. Wasn't this Mr. Herrmann's favourite score?

Thank you for sharing this with us :)

---------- Post added at 06:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------


The Main Titles from THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958). The music evokes anticipation of the wonders awaiting us in Ray Harryhausen's classic magical fantasy.

I love the up-tempo at the beginning and then evolving into loveliness and magical tunes. Just like you say, the wonders awaiting us in this film.
Great share, thanks Steve!

---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------


All of the wonder that is "Vertigo" and most of the tracks in "The Day The Earth Stood Still."

Of course Vertigo :), thank you. I am gonna have a listen to TDTESS this weekend. I loved the movie when I saw it the first time last year. Yes I know I am ashamed of it myself :)
Absolute greatness in music.

---------- Post added at 06:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 PM ----------


"Airport" from "Obsession". The CODA is absolutely amazing with the timpanis sounds so forte!!!

This finale is a true Herrmann masterpiece a MUST HAVE. Building up the tension with repeating notes and then changing into an unknown musical climax. Mr. Herrmann felt something was missing during production and said: "It needs a choir", and yes that was what - imo - turned this score and especially this track into a masterpiece! Great choice (had to listen to it right away :))

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------


The Prelude from Fahrenheit 451

Beautiful score and track. Very popular with Herrmann fans. Not really one of my favourites, but I checked it on my iTunes list: it had quite a lot of plays though! Thanks for your input SheriffJoe

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 PM ----------


Vertigo - an amazing score to an amazing film

Its difficult to pick an actual track as all of his music was quite unique ... he was the master !! Yes he was and what a great score!

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------


Bernard Herrmann is my favourite composer.
I think that no one compares to him.
I love his music!
It's so difficult to choose just one track.
Since my favourite film is "Vertigo",
I would have to pick one from this score.
"Prelude And Rooftop" or "Carlotta's Portrait" or "Scene D'Amour".

Could agree with you more. I play tracks of this fab score everyday. Whether it is on my iPod, Mac or phone. I really have to listen to this score everyday..... can't help it. Thanks Petros for sharing this.

---------- Post added at 06:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 PM ----------


"It's a Most Unusual Day" from "North by Northwest.
Proof that Herrmann can make even elevator music sound sprightly.

Well, this is something that wouldn't have come to my mind as a favourite, but it is Herrmann having fun I think. Thanks Creedmoor, I'm listening to it now.

---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:50 PM ----------


Elegy from Beneath the 12 Mile Reef.

I think that is the best track from the album, good choice, thank you for this.

---------- Post added at 07:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:54 PM ----------


Finale from Fahrenheit 451

Beautiful indeed, but it always brings Stranger In Paradise to my mind (Dabba from "Kismet" by Andre Previn). Very nice though :) thanks Parney

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------


Nocturne (Ghost & Mrs. Muir), Ballad Of Springfield Mountain (The Devil And Daniel Webster), The Road And Finale (Fahrenheit 451)... there are too many of them just to pick one :)

Well it15, Nocturne is sooo beautiful it must have been one of Mr. Herrmann's own favourite tracks. Ballad is a good choice and so is The Road And Finale. I love the harps in combination with the cello's. What a great combo!

---------- Post added at 07:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------


Tough one, but I'd have to say it's between "The Wild Ride" from North by Northwest, "The Rainstorm" from Psycho or "Scottie's Nightmare" from Vertigo.

Thanks davywiz2. The Wild Ride is a track I played many times during cooking dinner. Yes I put on the Blu-Ray of North By Northwest and put it on loud, great. The Rainstorm makes you feel cold and makes you wanna leave the road to find a cosy and warm cabin in a motel, oepsie!

---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 PM ----------



Meditation (The magnificent Ambersons) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4IYSMi19nE)

Andante Cantabile (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caZC_2YCGTk)


Thank you bullz698. Two great, great tracks indeed. Didn't really knew Meditation. I think it is the End Title as I know it from the Tony Bremner album, isn't it. How beautiful this is.

---------- Post added at 07:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------


That's a tough one, Herrmann is brilliant in almost everything he has composed. If I had to choose just one track, I would certainly go to "Vertigo" (his best score) and pick "The Nightmare":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQbboUwRdns

This is an absolute stunning musical piece that starts slow and melancholic, then gets some momentum when the dream starts, and relentlessly goes on and on until it reaches the climax of the nightmare at about 2:30. You have to watch the video to see how brilliantly the visuals were done with the special effects. Combined with the music this is a cinematically perfect movie scene. You can almost feel the agony and desperation that Scottie is experiencing in his dream. Herrmann was the congenial partner to Hitch, he always understood what he was trying to express with his visualizations, and delivered what was needed.

Great choice soundtrekker. And thank you for views on it. The youtube video gives an excellent impression of Scottie's sadness and struggles

---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:33 PM ----------


Main Title from "The Kentuckian"
Nightmare from "Vertigo"
Main Title From "North By Northwest"
Main Title and Radar from "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

The Kentuckian is a beautiful choice indeed. Thank you zelig46 for your contribution

astrapot
02-04-2016, 06:07 PM
i will say "Vertigo" which is my favorite title, but, well i don't know... "Psycho"? "where is everybody, from twilight zone"?
too difficult to choose with a man like Herrmann.

soundtrekker
02-04-2016, 07:46 PM
i will say "Vertigo" which is my favorite title, but, well i don't know... "Psycho"? "where is everybody, from twilight zone"?
too difficult to choose with a man like Herrmann.
Yes, I feel the same - it's like choosing which of your 5 kids you're gonna take with you to Disneyland, if you have just two tickets (and you love all your kids the same way). It's heart-breaking to leave 4 at home!

bichos
02-04-2016, 08:57 PM
"It's a Most Unusual Day" from "North by Northwest.
Proof that Herrmann can make even elevator music sound sprightly.

but this is not a herrmann composition! it�s an old standard by the great jimmy mchugh!!!!! i think from 1948.

keep boppin�
marcel

soundtrekker
02-04-2016, 09:10 PM
but this is not a herrmann composition! it�s an old standard by the great jimmy mchugh!!!!! i think from 1948.

keep boppin�
marcel
Which is proof that Herrmann didn't care much for elevator music, after all!

jesxes
02-04-2016, 09:14 PM
For me, Vertigo, which was the first one I discovered from him. I heard the intro on Lady Gaga's Born This Way, I began to search and I discovered Herrmann. I'm a "Williamist". Right now I'm listening a re-recording of Obsession. I have to listen more OST from Herrmann.

So my favourite track, the prelude from Vertigo.

spaniard69
02-04-2016, 09:17 PM
All tracks, Bernie is the best film composer of all times.

But if I have to choose I think I'd choose any of his compositions with wind instrument, specially melancolic themes with oboe, clarinet, bassoon, etc...

bichos
02-04-2016, 09:20 PM
Which is proof that Herrmann didn't care much for elevator music, after all!

:)

Grubbuts
02-04-2016, 11:20 PM
Very, very difficult to choose. So I'm not going to - like all my tastes, one day it may be one thing, the next, something else.

But these are perennials:

North by Northwest Main Title
Prelude/Rooftop from Vertigo - dammit, all of Vertigo
Dammit, all of The Ghost and Mrs Muir, too...
Twisted Nerve
Walking Distance from The Twilight Zone might be one of the most sublime pieces of music I've ever heard...
Prelude / Radar from The Day The Earth Stood Still
Taxi Driver Main Title
Prelude from Psycho... but, again, picking one track from Psycho is next to impossible.

I'll finish this and remember others, I'm sure.

Herrmann understood the possibilities of the orchestra as cinematic color like no-one before him. His music still unfolds new layers over time, whenever I listen to it. He really was a genius, both of film music and as a man who comprehended the moving image as narrative.

JudyBarton
02-05-2016, 01:08 PM
I must tell you all, I am surprised that nobody came up with the georgeous melodies of (Body In The Barn from) The Alfred Hitchcock Hour vol. 1, yet.

Anyway lovely that all of you share your thoughts and emotions on favourite Herrmann tracks. For me it is enlighting, thanks and keep it coming!

shedrick
02-05-2016, 02:33 PM
"The Airport" - NORTH BY NORTHWEST

I really love Roger's theme and this slowed-down, violent-sounding rendition of it is just fantastic.

bichos
02-05-2016, 10:24 PM
from the "not for film scores" i like very much "for the fallen". everytime i have tears in my eyes, when i listen to it. v e r y emotional. his music goes direct into your brain and touched your soul (or mine.) he was a genius to put emotions into music and you recordnize him after a few bars or seconds of music. romantic and fear - he put all in his compositions.

keep boppin�
marcel

bronyman1995
02-05-2016, 10:26 PM
This is pretty hard, since Herrmann was such a true genius at film scoring.

But "Scene d'Amour" from Vertigo, "Main Titles" from North by Northwest, and "Airport" from Obsession all come to mind, along with the main theme from Taxi Driver, and the "Prelude" from Fahrenheit 451.

rgg
02-06-2016, 09:41 AM
For me :

Miss Susie in "The Kentuckian"
Love Music in "Vertigo"
The Death Hunt in "On Dangerous Ground"

Stampedes
02-06-2016, 10:21 AM
Nobody likes Jane Eyre? A such captivating atmosphere for a such wonderful movie.
Here the main theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj8loBDXfbI

TheFountain
02-06-2016, 10:28 AM
For me that I like are Prelude from PSYCHO, MARNIE, VERTIGO and TORN CURTAIN

JudyBarton
02-06-2016, 02:50 PM
Thank you for thoughts and emotions on the music of the Greatest of all time: Mr. Bernard Herrmann.

raphdude
02-06-2016, 03:19 PM
I would say his theme from the Twilight Zone, Season One. It has a chilling sense of foreboding and I have always preferred it to the theme used from Seasons 2-5.

JARROTT
02-06-2016, 03:30 PM
The tea time cues from The Trouble with Harry perhaps, all the pastoral music from this movie is just some of the best I've ever heard from Herrmann.

vagabonds
02-07-2016, 08:38 AM
Dear July,

What you given here so many times are truly remarkable. This question about Herrmann's favorite track is an essential thing for us... for you... and for me.

When I've asked for Herrmann's composed soundtracks from this moving community, I've stupidly explaned explained that at 14 (I'm 60!) there were two artists who told me my life. One was Herrmann's in his films... and the first I heard I'll explain is a track that's not just my favorite but a vitality in my life as a person and a writer.

That's "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"... and its theme resonated with something else I saw (and heard of course) on that same weekend. It was Ken Russell's early film (one of three biographies he created with his best producer ever for BBC), "Song of Summer: Frederick Delius". It was as moving and revealing a film as "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"... in its characters, their fates and each of its music.

Over time from that I explored every one of Herrmann's films I could find... and living near to New York City there were before cables and DVDs great film theaters which concentrated on older and even forgotten movies. To those I went. And at home I would go to libraries to have and listen to Herrmann's soundtracks and, yes, Delius' music. For me I thought and felt these men were soulful son and father.

And some decades later when I was a playwright et al... I was just very remarkably going to collaborate with David Shire in a (get this) Berlin musical and while we hadn't met we talked on the phone about many things. And I mentioned Herrmann and Delius to him... His response was compassioned. "Delius was his only artistic father!"

Yes. He was DEVOTED to Delius and in so many ways solely inspired by him.

So I kept exploring like a kid in many ways... listening to them both more than frequently. And finding again and again that Herrmann was a truly great original artist who had not an imitation of Delius but something like similar genetics in creativity, emotions, personalities and... some excesses. (Well, more than some with Delius.)

Herrmann was devoted to bring Delius music to his country... of course, when he was the classic music conductor and director of Columbia Radio... and his truly wonderful inspiration to Herbert Stothart about bringing Delius' music created in his Florida farm (and his deep love of black Americans which made him an even greater creator) to one of the truly best M-G-M films we know, "The Yearling".

Now... when Herrmann was composing his great "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" score he was with his first wife, the remarkable writer Lucille Fletcher their opera. Many people in opera had loved this; still, Herrmann was more than perhaps too insistent on never letting any opera even slightly cut the score and libretto here and there or just anywhere including the Metropolitan Opera which truly wanted to produce it.

And in it -- again without imitations -- it is not just the influence of Delius' deeply moving and for some of us inspiring operas. Herrmann betters Delius' marvelous inspirations with every moment of "Wuthering Heights".

So what is essential there?

It's the absolute theme from "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"! And people would tell him, "I love that score! It's so wonderful in your opera!" And, well, he deny that it was in the soul of the two of them. But it is... magnificently.

So... Bernard Herrmann did record a very good version of his "Wuthering Heights" with the sadly gone Unicorn-Kanchana label. And one of our truly wonderful neighbors (like you and everyone here) turner6 shares us here! Thread 179964

I've been listening to it since the early 1980's. And a blessing has occurred in France -- an even greater recording of it with even more insightful conducting and performances of Herrmann's "Wuthering Heights" (with that theme).

Here it is... complete on youtube. I will try to post the links but after three cancers and more (dis-courtesy of doctors) it's hard. (I used to do those until my foolish -- that's a courteous expression -- transplant and its never admitted damages.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puA_ImKf3E0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEZUxYqfU7w

JudyBarton
02-07-2016, 06:00 PM
Thank you vagabonds for your extensive contribution and remarks and I wish you well!

bichos
02-07-2016, 06:31 PM
thanks a lot, judybarton! a fine audience recording, very good!

keep boppin�
marcel

JudyBarton
02-07-2016, 06:58 PM
haha, okey dokey Marcel

yobayoba
02-07-2016, 07:59 PM
The Egyptian.

spaniard69
02-08-2016, 12:57 AM
Thanks, JudyBarton for your interesting gift.

Saludos

Marcin24
02-08-2016, 01:44 AM
Thanks again Judy! :)

moviemusicsi
02-08-2016, 01:53 AM
Thanks judy
Vertigo is one of my favourite films ...and scores of all time

GrayEdwards
02-08-2016, 10:26 AM
Prelude & Scene D'Amour from "Vertigo."

alexandermundy
02-08-2016, 10:52 AM
It has to be Vertigo for me, no particular track as I consider it and play it as a complete opus. Glorious on vinyl!

Grubbuts
02-08-2016, 03:12 PM
Ah, JudyBarton, I did indeed find something nice in my mailbox! That is a very kind thing to do and most welcome! Enjoying here very much indeed. Thank you!

Has anyone else read the rather wonderful biography of Herrmann, A Heart at Fire's Center by Steven C. Smith? It's researched in great detail but not overly academic and I found it to be very readable. Gives great insight into the man, his passions, flaws, disappointments, dedication and brilliance.

JudyBarton
02-08-2016, 11:04 PM
Ah, JudyBarton, I did indeed find something nice in my mailbox! That is a very kind thing to do and most welcome! Enjoying here very much indeed. Thank you!

Has anyone else read the rather wonderful biography of Herrmann, A Heart at Fire's Center by Steven C. Smith? It's researched in great detail but not overly academic and I found it to be very readable. Gives great insight into the man, his passions, flaws, disappointments, dedication and brilliance.

Hi Grubbuts I just mailed you but mixed up suggestions, sorry for that. :) I know the book, but honestly I have forgotten al about it. I will order it tonight. Thanks for reminding me.
And do you know Dan Auiler's book: 'Vertigo' The making of a classic? That is a must have I can tell you. A lovely read. I bought a second hand copy for 6 dollars only on the Net.


thefieldster
02-08-2016, 11:12 PM
The main title to Mysterious Island, of course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdtfxl2yUc ..... once you hear the first few bars you just KNOW you're going to see some Harryhausen stop-motion monsters !!!!!

JudyBarton
02-08-2016, 11:14 PM
Thanks, JudyBarton for your interesting gift.

Saludos

de nada

---------- Post added at 05:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------


The main title to Mysterious Island, of course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdtfxl2yUc ..... once you hear the first few bars you just KNOW you're going to see some Harryhausen stop-motion monsters !!!!!

Good choice, thank you and check your mailbox :)

2fussy
02-09-2016, 12:24 AM
Thank you for the present.
I'd also like to add The Marker from Beneath the Twelve Mile Reef. This was ingrained in me from many, many years of watching Lost in Space!

JudyBarton
02-10-2016, 01:08 AM
Ok, great I will have a listen later, thanks

TeddyV
02-10-2016, 02:53 AM
Much as I love Day the Earth Stood Still and many Hitchcock soundtracks (why has no one mentioned the shower from Psycho, the most copied film music ever?), my single favourite has to be God's Lonely Man, from Taxi Driver. Sitting in the theatre back in - what? - the 70s?, completely unprepared for such a film, it was the music that put it right over the top, made watching it almost unbearably tense. Hitch said that Psycho was nothing without Herrmann's score. Without Herrmann, I don't know what Taxi Driver would have been. Not half the movie that it was, that's for sure. Don't remember much of the movie itself at all, after all these years. But oh boy that music still makes me sweat.

JudyBarton
02-10-2016, 01:13 PM
Much as I love Day the Earth Stood Still and many Hitchcock soundtracks (why has no one mentioned the shower from Psycho, the most copied film music ever?), my single favourite has to be God's Lonely Man, from Taxi Driver. Sitting in the theatre back in - what? - the 70s?, completely unprepared for such a film, it was the music that put it right over the top, made watching it almost unbearably tense. Hitch said that Psycho was nothing without Herrmann's score. Without Herrmann, I don't know what Taxi Driver would have been. Not half the movie that it was, that's for sure. Don't remember much of the movie itself at all, after all these years. But oh boy that music still makes me sweat.

Great choice, thank you. God's Lonely Man is certainly a great track, thank you for your contribution. I will have a listen later.

Alamo
02-10-2016, 02:20 PM
Judy, Thank you for your surprise gift.

Grubbuts
02-10-2016, 04:45 PM
Hi Grubbuts I just mailed you but mixed up suggestions, sorry for that. :) I know the book, but honestly I have forgotten al about it. I will order it tonight. Thanks for reminding me.
And do you know Dan Auiler's book: 'Vertigo' The making of a classic? That is a must have I can tell you. A lovely read. I bought a second hand copy for 6 dollars only on the Net.



I do have this somewhere. Look at that cover! A masterpiece about the making of a masterpiece. My copy is not in very good condition, but it's well loved.


Much as I love Day the Earth Stood Still and many Hitchcock soundtracks (why has no one mentioned the shower from Psycho, the most copied film music ever?), my single favourite has to be God's Lonely Man, from Taxi Driver. Sitting in the theatre back in - what? - the 70s?, completely unprepared for such a film, it was the music that put it right over the top, made watching it almost unbearably tense. Hitch said that Psycho was nothing without Herrmann's score. Without Herrmann, I don't know what Taxi Driver would have been. Not half the movie that it was, that's for sure. Don't remember much of the movie itself at all, after all these years. But oh boy that music still makes me sweat.

I didn't mention the shower sequence music simply because it freaks me out, but I completely agree with your assessment - it's one of the most imitated pieces of film music of all time. Have you ever watched Psycho with the sound turned down? It doesn't really work, it's kind of lifeless. Then, with Herrmann's score added, suddenly everything becomes this tense, driven set of sequences. All done with a string section - there's nothing else on that score. All to save money, apparently!

On Hitch & Bernard - another great book that i can heartily recommend is Hitchcock's Music, by Jack Sullivan, which examines the relationships between the director and all his composers in great detail. Obviously, a good part of the book is about Herrmann and his significant contributions to Hitchcock's movies. It's no accident that many of Hitchcock's greats are all scored by Herrmann.

soundtrekker
02-11-2016, 03:44 AM
I didn't mention the shower sequence music simply because it freaks me out, but I completely agree with your assessment - it's one of the most imitated pieces of film music of all time. Have you ever watched Psycho with the sound turned down? It doesn't really work, it's kind of lifeless. Then, with Herrmann's score added, suddenly everything becomes this tense, driven set of sequences. All done with a string section - there's nothing else on that score. All to save money, apparently!
I concur with your observations absolutely, except for the motivation for choosing a string orchestra only. I don't think it was for budgetary reasons only (that may have been a welcome side-effect). I rather believe it was a conscious artistic choice on Herrmann's part. The string orchestra mirrors the black and white quality of the movie and enhances the bleak atmosphere of Hitchcock's visualization of Robert Bloch's story.

Grubbuts
02-11-2016, 06:13 PM
I concur with your observations absolutely, except for the motivation for choosing a string orchestra only. I don't think it was for budgetary reasons only (that may have been a welcome side-effect). I rather believe it was a conscious artistic choice on Herrmann's part. The string orchestra mirrors the black and white quality of the movie and enhances the bleak atmosphere of Hitchcock's visualization of Robert Bloch's story.

You're right - actually, I may be misremembering that, or conflating two separate remembrances. Herrmann wanted to write a "black-and-white" score to complement the "black and whiteness" of the movie, which at that time Hitchcock was thinking of chucking out as a TV movie. It was hearing Herrman's score that persuaded him otherwise. So yes, maybe Herrmann chose to restrict himself to strings only. What he did do is ignore Hitchcock's directive that the shower scene contain no music at all. Herrmann was incredibly stubborn and thought he always knew what was right (and he usually did). So he wrote the scene with music against Hitchcock's direct wishes - and it knocked everyone out of their seats. Hitchcock said the music accounted for "a third of the film's power" or something similar. Personally, I'd say it's a good half, if not more.

JudyBarton
02-14-2016, 11:54 PM
You're right - actually, I may be misremembering that, or conflating two separate remembrances. Herrmann wanted to write a "black-and-white" score to complement the "black and whiteness" of the movie, which at that time Hitchcock was thinking of chucking out as a TV movie. It was hearing Herrman's score that persuaded him otherwise. So yes, maybe Herrmann chose to restrict himself to strings only. What he did do is ignore Hitchcock's directive that the shower scene contain no music at all. Herrmann was incredibly stubborn and thought he always knew what was right (and he usually did). So he wrote the scene with music against Hitchcock's direct wishes - and it knocked everyone out of their seats. Hitchcock said the music accounted for "a third of the film's power" or something similar. Personally, I'd say it's a good half, if not more.

Thank you for your replies boys and insights on Psycho.

Thanks for the book on Hitch and Herrmann: it is on my wish list :)

shark9
03-24-2016, 08:46 PM
the ghost and mrs muir!!

christopherkomar
07-18-2016, 04:24 AM
I'd have to agree the Main Title to "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad" is boss!
But then again, how do you not love "Vertigo"?

Sunshower
08-11-2016, 01:18 PM
Have way too many favorite Herrmann cues... but here are a number of them.
* Trouble with Harry - Autumn, The Captain, Autumn Afternoon, The Country Road, Tea Time, Harvest Eve
* Psycho - The City, Peephole, all the cues that play during the "clean up" sequence after the shower scene, The Shadow, First Floor, The Bedroom
* Vertigo - Catalogue, Beach, Nightmare, Letter, Scene d'Amour, Finale
* Taxi Driver - Main Title, A Strange Customer, $20 Bill, every reprise of the Betsy theme.