Customer Reviews

Bernard Herrmann: Great Film Music

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like to think of this CD as being the "Forbidden Planet" of film scores CDs -- technically marvelous, consistently enthralling on an emotional and mental level, and way ahead of its time.

Unfortunately it is not available as I write this. Last time I visited this Amazon site, there was one CD for sale for almost $60. You'll have to make up your own mind if this music is worth that much to you. I made my choice long ago to own this and keep it in my library, conceivably forever.

With five film scores, 35 tracks and 72 minutes of the most high grade science fiction music, this CD should be considered the definitive source for Bernard Herrmann's non-Hitchcock film scores. Not only did he conduct the National Philharmonic Orchestra in these recordings, the composer approved of the Phase 4 recording and mixing. It is, as the notes say, a unique listening experience.

I have found this CD to be a constant source of imagination, vision and scope in film music that still has no peer 30 years after its production. The opening sequence to "Journey To The Center of the Earth" is better than it ever was in the theater, where the music was a hackneyed backdrop to an incredilbe film. In this CD, the music dwarfs the film action.

My favorite sequence in this issue is Herrmann's work for the Ray Bradbury novella "Fahrenheit 451", which was recast in some minds recently when "Fahrenheit 911" appeared in theaters throughout the country.

Every bit of the miracle of that little film is projected through this eerily wonderful music, which seems to comprise a world of its own. The sections help recall Sontag's first trip on the fire engine, the bedroom fire and the finale.

The lengthiest tract on this disk is the near 27 minute set from the film "Gulliver's Travels". I've never seen the movie but will attest that the music is out of this world in a very British way. This section seems closer to following the musical rules for a suite than any other on this disk.

Decca had the good sense to return the Bernard Herrmann-conducted Hitchcock scores to circulation, so maybe they will do the same with this miraculous disk. Again, the notes are nothing to write home about, but even with that considered no lover of film music or the music of Bernard Herrmann can consider their library complete without this disk.

This Phase 4 Stereo recording is an expanded version of the 1974 LP, THE FANTASY FILM WORLD OF BERNARD HERRMANN. That LP had Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, The Day the Earth Stood Still and Fahrenheit 451. Gulliver's Travels (26 min.) had originally shared another LP with suites from Mysterious Island and Jason and the Argonauts.

I have owned this recording since 1974 and have listened to it dozens of times. I know of no other orchestral recording which sounds as good as this one does, combining an absolutely perfect recording technique with music of unparalleled brilliance and variety of color. When you hear the crescendo with the pipe organs in the Finale of Journey to the Center of the Earth, or the "dueling" percussion of Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, or the sweeping harps in "Flowers of Fire" and poignant strings in "The Road and Finale" of Fahrenheit 451, you'll agree. Herrman's several other LPs in the Phase 4 series were great, too, and I recommend those as well.

The Phase 4 sound is to my ears the absolute gold standard. That this stunning program was performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra can only recommend it, too. This is the very ensemble which also in the 1970s, led by Charles Gerhardt, recorded for RCA the next best sounding series of film music recordings ever done. This group knew how to project and display maximum color! If you ever see this CD, BERNARD HERRMANN GREAT FILM MUSIC, available, get it. (That goes for the LP, also, for those of you with a turntable.) You will never regret it.

This collection of Bernard Hermann's sci-fi / fantasy film scores is simply a must - own for any fan of his music. All pieces conducted by Hermann himself. If you liked the movies, you'll love the scores. Missing from this disc, however, are selections from Mysterious Island. Hermann was a genius, and his genius was nowhere better displayed than in his decision to use an obsolete instrument, the serpent, to accompany the giant chameleon in Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Bernard Herrmann:Great Film Music is a compilation of Herrmann's film scores for fantastic cinema. Included are music selections from Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Fahrenheit 451, and Gulliver's Travels. The sound quality is excellent-it is full and rich. The disc is actually a reproduction by ArkivMusic. I was worried about this at first, but everything about this disc is top rate. Highly recommended for Bernard Herrmann fans.

In the mid-1970's, a friend and I went to the Nu-Art theater in Santa Monica and watched the newly restorted 35mm print of "Mysterious Island." I had never seen the film. I remarked on the score. My friend and I went to Tower Records and purchased this recording, listening to his system with JBL speakers blasting out the thundrous opening. I shall never forget the experience. Later in the year, we went back to the Nu Art and saw the 35mm Cinemascope version of "Journey to the center of the Earth." How strange the soundtrack seemed in comparison. Herrmann's work with the National Philharmonic tweaked far more delicate sublty for the ear from those pieces. Years later, after waiting patiently for CD's to catch up with LP releases, I purchased this recording, watching with a wry smile as my son's jaw dropped during that opening cue (he's first chair). How gratifying to introduce the next generation to genius.

WOW, movie freaks! Everything that made those thrilling films sound and FEEL thrilling is here. I've got a collection of vinyl film scores, but without the pop and click of records, here is Bernard Herrmann, master of suspenseful film music, at his selected and powerful best. The National Philharmonic Orchestra supplied the big, big, deep sound.
Originally produced in 1974, this London CD came out in 1996; good luck if you can find it.

Put the headphones on in a dark room and let this thrill ride carry you into the fantasy zone. Symphonic, awesome, colorful work: we hear "near beer" composers today, but this was as much a part of our cinematic culture as breathing. If you don't believe it, just listen as "The Day THe Earth STood Still" tracks remind you of what it was like to be awed.

Well recommended!

When we think of classic music of the 20th century, we automatically think of Bernstein or John Williams. For the mid-century movies, I look to Bernard Herrmann, who was frequently picked to compose for Hitchcock and many sci-fi and fantasy classics, such as "Mysterious Island", "Jason and the Argonauts", and "Fahrenheit 451". He was also the musical genius for "Psycho", "Vertigo", and "North by Northwest". In this album, we have selections from five films, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Seventh Voyage of Sinbad", "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "Fahrenheit 451", and "The Three Worlds of Gulliver". I definitely recommend this album for your collection.

I have heard Mr. Herrmann's music and it is a very stimulating piece for background movie music. This has some of what I was looking for. Satisfied with purchase.

Contains a collection of movie scores from Bernard Herman. I got it because I wanted to hear the one's from Farenheight 451. They are originals but not all of them are there--just chosen pieces.