Collection: BERNARD HERRMANN - THE MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS
Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975) was an American composer, best known for his iconic film scores. Born in New York City, Herrmann displayed a prodigious musical talent from a young age, studying composition at Juilliard and New York University. His early career was spent in radio, notably as a staff conductor for CBS, where he championed new music and collaborated with Orson Welles on the famed "War of the Worlds" broadcast.
Herrmann's entry into Hollywood in the 1940s marked the beginning of a legendary career. His first film score, for Welles' Citizen Kane (1941), revolutionized cinematic music with its innovative use of dissonance and complex orchestration. However, it was his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock that cemented his status as a master of suspense. Their partnership produced some of cinema's most unforgettable scores, including Vertigo (1958) with its haunting romantic themes, North by Northwest (1959) and its propulsive energy, and the chilling, shrieking strings of Psycho (1960).
Herrmann's distinctive style was characterized by its rejection of conventional Hollywood lushness in favor of smaller, unique instrumental ensembles, often emphasizing specific timbres and dissonant harmonies to create psychological depth and tension. He was a meticulous craftsman, often working closely with directors to shape the emotional landscape of their films.
Beyond Hitchcock, Herrmann composed for a diverse range of films, including The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Cape Fear (1962), and his final masterpiece, Taxi Driver (1976), released posthumously. Despite his immense influence, Herrmann was often a contentious figure, known for his strong opinions and uncompromising artistic vision. He died in 1975, leaving behind a legacy of scores that continue to define cinematic sound and inspire generations of composers.
