Search - Bernard Herrmann :: Citizen Kane (Score Re-recording Of 1941 Film)

"enthralling & haunting, almost perfect"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Citizen Kane (1941) is an extraordinary film and an American tragedy of a newspaper tycoon from his humble beginnings to the solitude of his final years. One of the greatest films ever made with Orson Welles only 25 years old at the helm, who changed the standards of film making.This album is a masterpiece, beautiful beyond belief, and everyone should own this for their private collection. Several inspiring themes throughout, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Joel McNeely, featuring a soprano on track twenty seven - "SALAAMBO'S ARIA" an unforgettable composition suny by Janice Watson.The entire CD is entralling and haunting, almost perfect or near perfect in content, Bernard Herrmann was nominated by the Academy for Best Original Score. Producer Robert Townson and Varese Sarabande Records have given us what you could call the "definitive" straight-ahead-rendition of one of the greatest musical works in film history.Total Time: 53:01 on 40 Tracks/ Varese Sarabande - 302 065 806 2 (1999)"

A beginning of a Bernard Herrmann legacy!

Newman | Olympia, WA United States | 04/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first film score by the great Bernard Herrmann is still one of the most haunting and touching film scores ever written. What's also amazing (since he's so far the first person I've noticed to do it) is that he receives his first Oscar nomination on his first film, and won the Oscar during the same year for his second film, All That Money Can Buy. Is there any other composer who receives an Oscar nomination on his first film, and who wins on their second? not to my knowledge. The theme for Kane puts you in his skin, and you notice what kind of a man Kane (or William Randolph Hearst for that matter) really was. While listening to the music, you have to sometimes feel sorry for Kane. Orson Welles is a complete hero. For one thing he is a genius, he brought to life one of the greatest film composers, and created masterpieces of films. I would've loved to hear what Benny's music was like on radio. In fact, I wish that I could hear his Moby Dick Cantata, which has never been recorded since the 40s. Anyway, I'm drifting off here. It may not be as good as Charles Gerhardt's adaption, but it still should be part of the Bernard Herrmann collection. If you didn't like the movie, listen to the music, it'll soon make you more interested. The reason I say that is that I thought I didn't like the movie, but to tell you the truth, I still can't decide whether I like or not, because I watch it every once-in-a-while."