tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post2556123167318359604..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Bernard Herrmann - Composer Of Haunting Music and Treacherous DreamsThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-45902574250169776712012-01-27T06:48:57.142-08:002012-01-27T06:48:57.142-08:00I just saw "The Artist" last night and s...I just saw "The Artist" last night and sure enough, there it was. FlickChick is right, too...it's a bit jarring at first, but I like her take on why it may have been selected. A film buff pal of mine said that he read Kim Novak was steamed that it was used...I wonder why? And you know, I'm not sure I would have recognized the musical reference had I not so recently watched VERTIGO...and that's thanks to this lovely crew! <br />Kay<br />www.moviestarmakeover.com/blog/Marlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442632575933706511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-49468637720135100112012-01-25T15:39:49.411-08:002012-01-25T15:39:49.411-08:00Kay ~ thank you for your kind words; it is lovely ...Kay ~ thank you for your kind words; it is lovely to hear from you. I recently noticed your name has been added to those following my blog. I have been meaning to stop by, but I've taken on a second blog this month.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-39386493328308826052012-01-25T15:37:58.331-08:002012-01-25T15:37:58.331-08:00Marsha ~ thank you for your comments and kind word...Marsha ~ thank you for your comments and kind words. I still have not seen "The Artist," but the addition of Herrmann's music certainly inspired a range of emotions and responses.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14303698520744736452012-01-21T12:23:51.114-08:002012-01-21T12:23:51.114-08:00This is, without a doubt, one of the finest pieces...This is, without a doubt, one of the finest pieces of writing on musical influences and power I've come across on the web or in university texts. Well played, ma'am. I'm eager to catch up on the pieces in your blog, now that we've "met." Many thanks for this inspired post. Admiringly, Kay<br />moviestarmakeover.comMarlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442632575933706511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-63167523530230823052012-01-07T16:25:00.806-08:002012-01-07T16:25:00.806-08:00Gypsy - a beautiful article. The haunting and prov...Gypsy - a beautiful article. The haunting and provocative score is perfection. It is used in a pivotal scene in "The Artist" and, although I was jarred by its use at first, it seems the perfect music for a scene about letting go of an obsession with something that is an illusion.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53666400969763126832012-01-06T16:49:24.335-08:002012-01-06T16:49:24.335-08:00I want to thank each of you for your encouraging a...I want to thank each of you for your encouraging and insightful comments; it is so nice to hear from good friend and names new to me. I am fascinated by the many and varied perspectives that any film inspires, but music being such a personal element; I am especially pleased by your intriguing responses. I especially want to thank The Lady Eve for her gracious invitation to participate in “A Month Of Vertigo,” and I look forward to reading the excellent contributions of those participants who will follow. I apologize that I left it too late to leave a personal response to each of you, but I hope to change that this evening.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-38803121786751068802012-01-06T12:14:24.322-08:002012-01-06T12:14:24.322-08:00Wonderfully researched. I can hear the inspiration...Wonderfully researched. I can hear the inspirations in the score. -hepclassicAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-70078868705463601682012-01-05T22:49:17.577-08:002012-01-05T22:49:17.577-08:00Gypsy - Your posts have always struck me as lyrica...Gypsy - Your posts have always struck me as lyrical (and sometimes ethereal) journeys that overflow with fascinating insights and information (one of the reasons I'm such a fan of your blog). Your reflection on Bernard Herrmann is no exception - and is one of your finest pieces. As deep as it is wide-ranging, you leave the reader with much to consider.<br /><br />Your reference to Oliver Sacks and his observation that ""human beings are essentially a musical species" is inspired. It seems to me that Bernard Herrmann's potent and innovative, emotionally resonant compositions have the power to reach directly into and touch our inherently musical hearts. <br /><br />Beautiful post - and thank you...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-2644548432795067052012-01-05T22:47:48.571-08:002012-01-05T22:47:48.571-08:00Paul 2, thanks for pointing out Herrmann's ste...Paul 2, thanks for pointing out Herrmann's stereo recordings. His genius was so fine-tuned because hearing all those instruments from different speakers intensifies my sense of disorientation and even makes me question whether certain sounds are coming from my imagination, while the flat mono version merely positions me as a receptive audience member. <br /><br />Whistlingypsy, you expressed so much so beautifully, particularly this: "A man no longer content with his passivity in the face of life’s acting on him; he is trapped in a sort of tenacious, immaterial fantasy rendering him incapable of action." That and Herrmann's soundtrack remind me that vacillation and vertigo can be such similar states.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04970797639620201166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-71022893267641433532012-01-05T14:09:12.133-08:002012-01-05T14:09:12.133-08:00Whistling Gypsy (or Karin, if you prefer), I'm...Whistling Gypsy (or Karin, if you prefer), I'm truly bowled over by your brilliant, lovingly detailed blog post about the musical partnership between Alfred Hitchcock and one of my favorite composers, Bernard Herrmann. It's strange how music can be so tangible and compelling, and yet so hard to put into words why it moves us, but you did a great job of it. I was especially pleased that you included the clip from HANGOVER SQUARE, one of my favorites. I love books and movies equally, and when I'm writing fiction, the right music really helps me get into the characters' heads.<br /><br />I agree that "what makes Herrmann such a great movie composer is the way he was able to get to the essence of the emotional tone of a scene. It's a shame that Hitchcock and Herrmann eventually had a falling-out, but thank goodness we have their amazing musical and cinematic genius to remember them by and inspire others. Superb post!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-75629631844286382892012-01-05T10:27:49.691-08:002012-01-05T10:27:49.691-08:00Just how great is Bernard Herrmann? In mt ranking...Just how great is Bernard Herrmann? In mt rankings he's the best film composer of all-time, ahead of such distinguished artists as Max Steiner, Ennio Morricone, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Miklos Rosza, Alfred Newman, Nino Rota, Franz Waxman, Toru Talemitsu, Victor Young and others. It could well be argued he was the most versatile of them all doing all types of music from the days of CITIZEN KANE and the 1944 JANE EYRE to the Harryhausen fantasy films on to the brilliant and brooding work for Hitchcock.<br /><br />My personal favorite of his scores is the achingly beautiful lyric composition he penned for Nick Ray's 1952 film noir ON DANGEROUS GROUND, a score I rate with Rosza's BEN-HUR as the greatest ever written. There's little question that his extraordinary work on VERTIGO, which you spectacularly consider here in this amazing feature is considered by many to be his best work. Those of us who visit the theatres of again reminded of the allure of this score, the end section of which was used in the charming new movie THE ARTIST.<br /><br />It's sad to recollect that Herrmann and Hitchcock had an ugly falling out afterwards that was never healed before the composer's untimely death after he capped his incomparable career with that jazzy masterpiece for Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER.<br /><br />Just two months ago I was graced to attend many films (all of which like so many others here I have seen in the past multiple times) in the Bernard Herrmann Film Festival at the Film Forum in Manhattan. This profect only re-confirmed what I long have known: Bernard Herrmann is film's most justly celebrated film composer.<br /><br />Again, I applaud your expert and passionate piece of writing here.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-40834837425985493932012-01-05T07:05:57.383-08:002012-01-05T07:05:57.383-08:00While the so-called legitimate composers of the er...While the so-called legitimate composers of the era were focusing on "atonalism" and "serialism" and other such 20th century musical innovations that seemed to invoke more an intellectual response than emotional, composers like Bernard Herrmann and Erich Corngold ("Adventures of Robin Hood") were able to find within film the expression for a grander, more sweeping music that grew out of the Romantic tradition of the late 19th and early 20th century. This was a music that communicated deeply on the psychological and emotional level and referenced earlier great artists such as Mahler and Wagner. This style of music was considered out of vogue among the contemporary critics but I've always felt that through the brilliance of Bernard Herrmann, and others, it was the perfect musical compliment to the classic love stories, thrillers and historical dramas that were being produced during Hollywood's golden era of films. Music is the stuff that dreams are made of, and with "Vertigo", which has such a powerful emotional undertow, Bernard Herrmann composed the perfect musical accompaniment, or perhaps one should say, musical participant. The psychological, almost mystical vortex of "Vertigo" was created by a marriage of image and sound that pulls the viewer in and casts a mood that is almost a form of trance or spell. Thank you for putting such a clear light on Bernard Herrmann and his contribution - he's definitely one of the greatest composer's in the history of film.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-90303424857036147442012-01-05T03:05:18.309-08:002012-01-05T03:05:18.309-08:00I loved how the music created the mood in the scen...I loved how the music created the mood in the scenes that gave you a sense of unease.. and kept you sitting on the edge of your seat..<br /><br />A Wonderful write up and I will be spotlighting the Vertigo series on "This week on N and CF" post for the rest of the month.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52558875284746379142012-01-05T00:31:28.085-08:002012-01-05T00:31:28.085-08:00fascinating and brilliant job...plus a Wallace Ste...fascinating and brilliant job...plus a Wallace Stevens reference...I M impressed!!!!!doctom666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6356454267774794182012-01-04T22:40:52.029-08:002012-01-04T22:40:52.029-08:00Fascinating post WhistlingGypsy. We often take for...Fascinating post WhistlingGypsy. We often take for granted the contributions of all the arts and crafts that go into making a film. In such a masterful work as Vertigo, even with the composition and conducting of a Hitchcock, it is really a collaboration of artists in the telling of a story. It is especially in those wordless moments of the story that the music concentrates the emotional impact of what's taking place on the screen. Herrmann was a master of this art. Thank you for giving us another reason to admire Vertigo.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-171938043193554942012-01-04T16:00:09.807-08:002012-01-04T16:00:09.807-08:00Fascinating post Karin on one of the most importan...Fascinating post Karin on one of the most important pieces of the filmmaking process. Music adds so much to the atmosphere, the mood, call it what you will. It just adds another layer and depth that would be missing without it. Herrmann's music is an integral part of each and every film he worked on. Thanks for such a great piece, your combination of background, history and analysis is stunning. <br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44810421223191945872012-01-04T14:47:47.891-08:002012-01-04T14:47:47.891-08:00Karin, you had a rather difficult assignment in th...Karin, you had a rather difficult assignment in this month-long endeavor, but you do a nice job of explaining Hermann's importance in the overall production. I prefer that dramatic and atmospheric styles be used together (ala Clint Mansell), but I enjoy Hermann's Vertigo score very much as well. Enjoyed reading this article.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-30133447871421173442012-01-04T14:24:06.885-08:002012-01-04T14:24:06.885-08:00Gypsy, a very impressive post on what seems to me ...Gypsy, a very impressive post on what seems to me a daunting subject. That music is so inherently non-verbal makes it extraordinarily difficult to write on. It's clear how much research and effort went into creating your post. I liked the way you described the connection between film music and the emotions of the film, describing the film score as, ideally, a "musical landscape perfectly suited to the emotional content of the image." I think what makes Herrmann such a great movie composer is the way he was able to get to the essence of the emotional tone of a scene. Film music is too often used to cue the viewer's response to scenes that don't adequately do this on their own. Maybe it's because he tended to work with such talented directors, but Herrmann's music never seems to me to add things that aren't already there, but to find them and amplify them. I also liked the way you wrote that the music in "Vertigo" is effective on its own, even if you don't get the musical allusions. Also appreciated the biographical background on Herrmann, which was mostly new to me.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-33805526453042835662012-01-04T13:10:08.148-08:002012-01-04T13:10:08.148-08:00Wow. Whistlingypsy, this is an incredible article....Wow. Whistlingypsy, this is an incredible article. You have brought so much to the table! I've learned so much about film music and Herrmann from this reading alone. I particularly love your introductory paragraph. <br /><br />"...the ability to appreciate music is a capacity we all share."<br /><br />You have brought history and analysis to life and with such enthusiasm and pride! Your observation on his Vertigo composition is very thorough. The music does have that "spiral" effect, we are being drawn closer and closer into the vortex.<br /><br />ITs interesting that Hitchcock had his own idea for the music but had so much faith in Herrmann to take it another direction.<br /><br />I loved every bit of this blog essay, and I am not just saying that because I'm your friend. :) You have really outdone yourself with this wonderful article. I'm definitely going to have my mom read it. lol. She loves film music (although her favorite at the moment is Morricone's Cinema Paradiso, she needs to get well acquainted with Herrmann).<br /><br />The month is shaping up to be even greater than I even expected (and I had high expectations)! Cannot wait to read more. Will be tweeting (@bkthecinephile) and facebooking (brandonkylethecinephile) this all month long. lol<br /><br />Now, in your honor. I will be going out to see "The Artist" tonight. Which I hear partially uses Herrmann's Vertigo score. We'll see! :D<br /><br />- Brandon Kyle The CinephileBeatlebrandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16003409576171128178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-64279036108790032582012-01-04T12:42:07.663-08:002012-01-04T12:42:07.663-08:00Excellent post. A few things you might want to kno...Excellent post. A few things you might want to know.<br /><br />The film was shot in Vista Vision with did not support a true stereo soundtrack. It could use any of three different formats : Optical mono on standard 4-perf reduction or 8-perf contact print.A Perspecta sound fake stereo optical track cold be used on either type of print. Peespecta sound was plain mono (think early Dolby Pro Logic)it could only operate with sound effects when no music or dialog was present, because all the sound moved all at once. So the Vertigo score was in mono .<br /> Herrmann did record the score in (at the time)3 channel (right , left, center) stereo which was found and used in the making of the DTS 5 point one sound track in the restored film and later DVDPaul 2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500682719536011343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36270318667577641722012-01-04T12:41:29.474-08:002012-01-04T12:41:29.474-08:00Thanks for the musical insight on Vertigo and Herr...Thanks for the musical insight on Vertigo and Herrmann. He has long been a favorite of mine, but Eve can tell you that I have many favorites! <br /><br />It is almost a shame that in a movie so visually stunning as vertigo, this beautiful music is almost lost. Movie music is sometimes supposed to be subliminal. I try not to let that happen.<br /><br />I purchased the soundtrack to Last of the Mohicans (1992). I thought the music was period correct and added a lot to the visuals. When I played the CD without the movie, I was disappointed in how dark it sounded, because it was mostly written in minor chords. Herrmann's music sounds great, with or without the movie.Allen Hefnerhttp://bitactors.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com