Search - Bernard Herrmann :: The Ghost And Mrs. Muir: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Ethereal and Exquisite

J. Michael Click | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernard Herrmann's score for the 1947 film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is one of his greatest achievements. Some devotees even consider it his absolute best, no small praise considering that Herrmann's filmography also includes such classic and venerated scores as those for "Citizen Kane", "Vertigo", "Psycho", and dozens of other notable titles. In "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", Herrmann expertly creates cues representing many diverse themes and emotions, and blends them together in a lush orchestration that perfectly enhances the nuances of the script, the direction, and the actors' performances. Suffice it to say that Herrmann's contribution to the film's success is immeasurable, a statement that is best proven by listening to the score as reproduced on this CD.



And this particular disc - the Fox Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - is indisputably the finest version ever released, if only because it is the most complete. An earlier re-recording conducted by Elmer Bernstein in 1975 is beautifully done, but it fails to include one of Herrmann's most masterful passages: "Andante Cantabile", the heartbreakingly melancholy music that plays in the background as the middle-aged Mrs. Muir and her adult daughter reminisce about their first year in Gull Cottage, and Mrs. Muir bravely (but ineffectually) claims that she has not minded the absence of romance in her life. That exquisitely composed and perfectly played piece of music - so beloved by the composer that he reportedly adapted and reused it in his later opera based on Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" - is included here on this disc, making this the version you'll want to add to your film music library."

Of Love, Loss, and The Sea: A Brilliant But Neglected Score

Gary F. Taylor | Biloxi, MS USA | 05/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975) first made his Hollywood reputation by scoring such films as CITIZEN KANE; by the end of his life he would be most famous for his association with director Alfred Hitchcock, for whom he scored VERTIGO and PSYCHO. But between these points Herrmann also created numerous other film scores, and although it is somewhat neglected today, his score for the 1947 THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR is among his finest works.



According to the CD's liner notes, Herrmann laughing referred to this as his "Max Steiner" score, and it is true that the music here is much more melodic than most of Herrmann's work. The music is extremely liquid in tone, reflecting the unexpected calms and storms of the sea that plays such a significant role in the film. Indeed, it might be said that Herrmann essentially created the role of the sea in the film, giving it character and relating it to the roles played by Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison.



Although he punctuates the music with occasional sharp stabs of surprise to highlight the "ghost story" elements of the film, this is really a romance--smooth, dreamy, occasionally sad, but always echoing a certain mysterious sense of possibility. The range of instruments are standard, but there is an emphasis on strings with the occasional use of wind instruments for contrast. It is altogether charming, beautiful, and extremely listenable. The Varese Sarabande CD release is excellent. Strongly, strongly recommended.



GFT, Amazon Reviewer

In Memory of Ellen R. Smith, 1920-2005

Virtuoso Pianist and Good Friend"

One of the greatest movie scores of all time!

E. Bennett | United States | 08/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My grandmother introduced "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" to me when I was a little girl. It was one of her favorite movies, so that by the time I finally saw it as a child, I was amazed by the scope, depth and beauty of this love story. The movie now ranks in my own personal top 10, and is my favorite romance of all time. I've loved movie soundtracks since childhood as well, and this one became a favorite of mine from the very start. I was struck by how -- with music -- the composer was able to capture the sounds of the ocean waves washing onto the shoreline, or the waves crashing into the rocks; even the movement of a train, or a soft breeze blowing in through an open window. As I matured and delved more into movie scores, Herrmann's music began to influence me as much as the other greats: Korngold, Steiner, Newman, then later Goldsmith, Williams, Horner. This soundtrack is so eternal however, one can listen to it without seeing the movie and realize there is greatness there. His "Vertigo" and "Psycho" are outstanding, but for me, this movie score is the greatest epithet a composer could have. A must for any movie buff's library."