Search - B. Herrmann :: Vertigo

One of the all-time greats

www.DavidLRattigan.com | United Kingdom | 11/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vertigo is not only the finest of Bernard Herrmann's scores written for the films of Alfred Hitchcock, but also one of the most memorable and captivating movie scores of all time.Muir Matheson's original recording is tatty in places, but it belongs uniquely to the world of the original film, and as such I wouldn't wish it to be altered one iota. The film's atmosphere is contained brilliantly therein, from the suspenseful and brooding ambience of the early scenes to the sweeping passion of the latter half of the film. This remastered recording will allow the listener to relive the exhilarating experience of Hitchcock's masterpiece."

Classic

Bill Your 'Free Form FM Handi Cyber | Mahwah, NJ USA | 10/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can use a lot of criteria to judge a film score. Here is mine: does it stand alone as music?



I came to Vertigo not knowing: my knowledge of movie music starts in the rock influenced 1960s: Quincy Jones, Lalo Schrifrin- when funk and jazz were invading all types of music.



Vertigo stems from a whole different era, `1958: when composers of the previous generation, like Bernard Hermann, considered rock, if they did at all, as teen dance trash.



Hermann may be remembered most for his Twilight Zone theme, but most of his music does not have those type of pyrotechnics. The Vertigo score is based mainly on strings. To me, the emotional content here is even more frightening. The strings never yell, staying in range from a talk to a whisper. But underneath is the dark, obsessive, creepy undertoe that makes this Bernard Hermann. Listen to his use of muddy cellos, little waves of strings, and just when you have forgotten, the ghostly organ.



I'll admit I have seen the film Vertigo and found it shattering. Here is the usually happy go lucky Jimmy Stewart turned haunted and brooding. Truly disconcerting, and if you have not seen it, you should tonight. I don't know how much my knowing the movie impacts how I listen to this score, but if I want to get creeped, I can watch the flick, listen to this album, or better yet, both.



"