Music Webmaster Len Mullenger

FILM MUSIC RECORDINGS REVIEWS

September 1999 Supplement


 
Collection: Alfred Hitchcock 100 Years - A Bernard HERRMANN film score tribute   MILAN 73138 35884-2 [31:33]

 

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This compilation comprises reissues from Bernard Herrmann Film Scores 1993 Milan 74321 14081-2:-

Bernard Herrmann talking about film music

Psycho- Suite

Vertigo - Scene d'Amour

The Man Who Knew Too Much - Canata - The Storm Clouds (Arthur Benjamin)

North by Northwest - Prelude

The Wrong Man - Prelude

Plus a remix of Psycho murder music as used in the 1998 remake of the film

 

The Milan album of the film music of Bernard Herrmann released in 1993 (is it as long ago as that?!) drew praise from the critics including myself (writing of it in Classic CD). It included music for Citizen Kane, The Devil and Daniel Webster, Fahrenheit 451, The Bride Wore Black and Taxi Driver as well as the Hitchcock items. Now, Milan have cunningly clipped all the Hitchcock scores and gathered them on this rather parsimonious release. To be fair, they have remixed the tracks so that they sound even better than before. The performances are first class and it is good to have Arthur Benjamin's Storm Clouds Cantata that was used to such dramatic effect in the Albert Hall climax of The Man Who Knew Too Much. I think, too, that this is one of my favourite versions of the 'Scène d'Amour' from Vertigo. It unfolds very leisurely but it has great refinement and beauty. The only new track is the quirky synth effected (or should I say affected) remix of the Psycho murder associated with the recent awful remake of the film. At the bargain price, this album is worth acquiring. My advice, however, is to seek out a copy of the original Milan release which is still available (catalogue number (UK) 73421 14081-2 (US) 73138-35643-2).

Reviewer

Ian Lace

Reviewer

Ian Lace

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