The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour: Bernard Herrmann - Beyond Hitchcock

Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975)

There’s probably no more distinctive voice in 20th century film music than that of Bernard Herrmann. His work explored psychological tension with dramatic motifs and unusual instrumental combinations, often at odds with the lush neo-romanticism of much of the Hollywood film music of the time.

Herrmann cut his teeth as a composer as a member of Aaron Copland’s Young Composer’s Group in the 1930s, and then become the conductor of the CBS Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1934. Working fast, often on a shoestring budget, Herrmann learned quickly how to use limited instrumentation and simple motifs to express his musical visions.

A Herrmann gem, “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir,” (1947)

Herrmann’s collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest and more…) would be enough to secure the legacy of any film composer. But there are many more excellent Herrmann compositions for the movies that need to be acknowledged.

On this week’s episode of The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour we’ll play some of that legacy for you. Join us for “Herrmann (sans Hitchcock).”

Produced and hosted by Ken Nail, The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour airs on Charlottesvilleclassical.org every Thursday at 9 AM and 6 PM, plus Saturdays at Noon. Visit our Facebook page, or contact Ken on Twitter at @ken_classical.