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Reviews:
Good, Not Great Herrmann
This is a pleasant pastoral score, with little themes and motifs bubbling around repeatedly for its duration. Melodic bits evoke the New England countryside in which the film takes place, and small stings of drama represent the mystery surrounding the troublesome body. It's all very understated, though, and its fragmented, "Mickey Mouse" style of following the on-screen action doesn't allow it to build the thematic heft and dramatic cohesion that all of Herrmann's later Hitchcock scores have. In the humor department, both director and composer would surpass this droll effort with the comedy-of-the-absurd of 'North by Northwest' a few years later. Still, not a bad freshman outing for the duo. Joel McNeely and the RSNO have done their usual first-class job, of course, even if the disc as a whole I'd recommend only to Hitchcock/Herrmann completists (not that there aren't quite a few out there...).
A wonderful CD to ear in the country!
That's right! Herrmann's first score for Hitch turned into a whimsical and beautiful effort that is a real background when we're going to the country. Spite not having the magic of VERTIGO album this has some beautiful cues like "Autumn". Look at that "Captain" cue! Instead of making a love theme for Shirley MacLaine and John Forsyth, Herrmann creates a lovely part for Edmund Gwenn. That music has such quiet feeling!A must to any fan who loved the music in the film!
A beautiful, lyrical sound by Bernard Herrmann
Herrmann's first picture with Hitchcock. Funny, lyrical, and beautiful. The captain's theme is just so wonderful to listen to. Every time I hear this cd, I want to live in the country of Vermont or any big open field area. Joel McNeely had all the tempos exactly right. It's a pity that Herrmann didn't even get nominated for this film. If you love Herrmann's lyrical music then you must get this cd.
Relive the mood of this classic film
For anyone affected by the atmosphere of Hitchcock's sorely underrated film, this CD is a necessity. It is one of Herrmann's subtlest, yet most effective, scores, and the opportunity to listen to it again cannot be passed up. It is customary, for fans of the film, to refer to the autumnal New England scenery, but rightly so. It was Hitchcock's choice of location that makes the film, in my opinion, and relistening to Herrmann's music paints the picture all over again, conjuring up (for those who know the film, of course), sumptous images of luscious green meadows, rusty-coloured arbers, and reds, yellows and browns of every description. I cannot get enough of this CD!!!
Film Score Treasure to Enjoy!
This album is most definitely a five star, bringing together one of the greatest composer/director relationships ever to come along, Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Hitchcock. Never before in its entirety, the score is wonderful and brought to life again by Joel McNeely and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Herrmann's score is one of his best, with the story line that is both humorous, serious and beautiful, fits the film to a "T".Varese Sarabande has given the film score collector a treasure to enjoy, now and years to come. All concerned are "Classic Acts" - Herrmann, Hitchcock, McNeely and of course Varese Sarabande who made this gem possible.Total Time: 43:09 on 40 Tracks/ Varese Sarabande - VSD 5971 (1998)
