A Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann (Hardcover)

by Steven C. Smith (Author) "Bernard Herrmann was a premature baby, born in the seventh month of his mother's pregnancy on June 29, 1911..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Bernard Herrmann, Wuthering Heights (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An exceptional work. I stand in awe of anyone who can piece together the puzzle of a man's life so fully, especially a man as odd and contradictory as Herrmann. A brilliant job."-Leonard Maltin; "Bernard Herrmann was a master of psychology. His incredibly innovative music 'inhabited' the film it was in, creating moods that stayed with the audience long after the film was over."-Esa-Pekka Salonen, Music Director, Los Angeles Philharmonic --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
No composer contributed more to film than Bernard Herrmann, who in over 40 scores enriched the work of such directors as Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Franois Truffaut, and Martin Scorsese. In this first major biography of the composer, Steven C. Smith explores the interrelationships between Herrmann's music and his turbulent personal life, using much previously unpublished information to illustrate Herrmann's often outrageous behavior, his working methods, and why his music has had such lasting impact. From his first film (Citizen Kane) to his last (Taxi Driver), Herrmann was a master of evoking psychological nuance and dramatic tension through music, often using unheard-of instrumental combinations to suit the dramatic needs of a film. His scores are among the most distinguished ever written, ranging from the fantastic (Fahrenheit 451, The Day the Earth Stood Still) to the romantic (Obsession, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) to the terrifying (Psycho). Film was not the only medium in which Herrmann made a powerful mark. His radio broadcasts included Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre of the Air and The War of the Worlds. His concert music was commissioned and performed by the New York Philharmonic, and he was chief conductor of the CBS Symphony. Almost as celebrated as these achievements are the enduring legends of Herrmann's combativeness and volatility. Smith separates myth from fact and draws upon heretofore unpublished material to illuminate Herrmann's life and influence. Herrmann remains as complex as any character in the films he scoreda creative genius, an indefatigable musicologist, an explosive bully, a generous and compassionate man who desperately sought friendship and love.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (June 3, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520071239
• ISBN-13: 978-0520071230
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,435,343 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very detailed look at an infuriating composer., March 24, 2000

By	Douglas T Martin (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The story of Bernard Herrmann does not begin and end with Hitchcock. It actually begins with Charles Ives and ends with Martin Scorcese. Along the way Orson Welles, Francios Trouffet, Brian DePalma, Sinbad, Gulliver, Rod Serling, and the "It's Alive" baby turn up. A biography of Bernard Herrmann tells the history of the use of music in radio, television, and film. It also tells the story of a brilliant, infuriating, and ultimately tragic figure. If you have an interest in film composing - real composing, not gathering 10 pop songs on a CD and calling it a soundtrack - you owe it to yourself to read this biography. And better yet would be to listen to some of his music while reading - the book vividly describes the music but hearing is believing.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for everyone who loves film music, January 3, 1999

By	[e-mail] "smidgin" (England) - See all my reviews

This is a splendid book. meticulously researched about one of film music's most charismatic and controversial figures. A raging restless talent who alienated all who cared for him. The spats with those he worked with. The music he composed and the constant disatisfaction he felt with that music. The frustration of not being able to write as he really wanted to. Opera in the grand manner. And to be a great conductor. Film music was always second-best and though he never composed down to the film, some of the movies definitetly were not worthy of his talent. The halcyon days with Welles and Hitchcock. The mediocrity of so many other films all contributed to the downward spiral of a genius. I don't expect you to agree with my views, I do beg you to read a book that is quite un-putdownable. Jonathan

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine reference book, July 25, 2004

By	robert "Film Fan" (USA) - See all my reviews

Good book detailing the life and music of the finest of all film composers.
Fine insights to how the composer crafts his scores and how they
enhance the film. Herrmann was the master indeed. The NPR documentary "Bernard Herrmann: A Celebration of his Life and Music" that runs over 2 1/2 hours is a good companion piece to go with this book. Interestingly the book makes no mention of the Radio documentary, which has had much greater exposure than this book or the truncated video documentary.