Day the Earth Stood Still (Score) [SOUNDTRACK]

Bernard Herrmann (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00008J2KU
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,720 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "an enduring classic score by Bernard Herrmann", March 15, 2003

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The year is 1951 and director Robert Wise is about to throw panic into Washington D.C. and the film world with "The Day the Earth Stood Still", when an extraterrestrial spacecraft lands near the White House. Very dramatic, intelligently directed and a well-craft screenplay with an outstanding cast. Our players are Klaatu (Michael Rennie) plays the alien invader and the Earth People who may be worth saving are Helen Benson (Patricia Neal), Dr. Barnhardt (Sam Jaffe), Bobby Benson (Billy Gray) and Tom Stevens (Hugh Marlowe). With first-rate cast we have a first-class composer of Bernard Herrmann, who creates the well established trademark of sci-fi with the theremin-dominated musical score. The theremin on this album is played by Celia Sheen, haunting with eerie imagery seeping through the orchestration. Wonderful arrangements by the composer himself, with excellent conducting by Joel McNeely. Each section of the orchestra ~ the pianos, hammonds, harps, brass and electronic instruments amplify within each cue. As Celia is carefully in complete control with the entire ensemble. The result is colors come shining through with a perfect performance and a credit to the classic composition by Bernard Herrmann.

Total Time: 38:43 on 33 Tracks ~ Varese Records 302-066-314-2 ~ (3/04/2003)

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for Flying Saucers and Peace, March 1, 2004

By	James D. Eret (Yucca Valley, California) - See all my reviews

Bernard Herrmann, the famous coposer of so many classics of the cinema, has never written a boring film score, and in this science fiction classic,he sets the standard high again for great film music. This film is one of the classic science fiction movies of all time and this film score matches its subject with great force, music of the heavens and space and great music for Gort the robot. Highly recommended. This music fills you with awe and great harmonies. Herrmann was one of our greatest film composers and anything he wrote is worth listening to again and again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No, it's not the original soundtrack..., June 8, 2008

By	G. Pomeroy (Central Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

but I like it as well if not better. This is Bernard Hermann's original score performed by orchestra (including Theremin) at Abbey Road Studios in 2002. The attention to detail and consideration of original arrangement is exemplary. As a long time fan of this film classic (and if you haven't seen it, find it ! After 58 years, it still speaks volumes of the human condition and futile politics) I've heard the original soundtrack within the film many times. This is different, of course, but excellent within its own right. If you wish to study the Theremin exquisitly used in an orchestral environment, this is the score and one the best recordings I've heard. Hermann's composition is simply classic of the genre.