A master’s great legacy
This collection of London recordings by the legendary Bernard Herrmann is a must-have
Herrmann
The Film Scores on Phase 4 London Philharmonic Orchestra et al/ Bernard Herrmann Decca 485 1585 308:42 mins (7 discs) Released to mark his 110th anniversary, this seven-disc collection is a fitting celebration of Bernard Herrmann (1911-75) who made these recordings in London between 1968 and 1975. England was home for the legendary composer during these twilight years, Hollywood a somewhat distant (and slightly bitter) memory – though, in a twist of fate, he died there. Herrmann enjoyed a renaissance here; he was a grand master to whom the young visionary directors flocked – Scorsese, De Palma, Truffaut et al. He also loved to conduct, and he set about making records for Decca’s off-shoot label Phase 4 Stereo, some of which this must-have set is comprised. Two discs – Great British Film Music and Great Shakespeare Films – feature music by Bax, Rózsa and Walton among others, but it’s the albums of Herrmann’s own great suites, from Citizen Kane, Psycho, Vertigo and Jason and the Argonauts, to name a few, that represent what this remarkable artist contributed. Few composers made their presence felt on screen quite like Bernard Herrmann, and few (if any) of his generation continue to influence today’s composers in the way he does. ★★★★★