Fact Finder - Music

Fact
The Master of Suspense: Bernard Herrmann
Category
Music
Subcategory
Music Legends
Country
United States
Description
Bernard Herrmann was one of the most innovative and influential film composers of all time, best known for his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock. His score for 'Psycho' (1960) is a masterclass in psychological tension, particularly the 'slashing' string sounds in the shower scene. Herrmann rejected the lush, Romantic style common in Hollywood at the time, preferring smaller ensembles and dissonant, atmospheric motifs. His work on 'Citizen Kane,' 'Vertigo,' and 'Taxi Driver' showed his incredible range and ability to underscore the inner turmoil of a film's characters. Herrmann was a pioneer of using electronic instruments in film, using a theremin in 'The Day the Earth Stood Still.' His uncompromising artistic vision and his ability to create unforgettable musical suspense make him a true legend of cinema music.