MUSIC FROM THE GREAT MOVIE THRILLERS - MUSIC COMPOSED BY BERNARD HERRMANN FROM THE MOTION PICTURES DIRECTED BY ALFRED HITCHCOCK - Bernard Herrmann conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Phase 4 Stereo SP 44126

The great film composer Bernard Herrmann released many LPs on London Phase 4, and this is one of the best. Included are new recordings of scores to five Alfred Hitchcock films by Herrmann. Psycho opens the LP, and Herrmann has arranged the music into a 14:30 "Narrative For Orchestra." Create a mini-thriller in your head! A 10:15 suite from Marnie follows, then the main theme from North by Northwest. Side 2 starts with three selections from Vertigo, and ends with "A Portrait of 'Hitch,'" based on motifs from the score to The Trouble With Harry. A typically lush sounding Phase 4 release, this is a must-have album for Herrmann fans. Liner notes by Herrmann. The album was produced by Tony D'Amato and engineered by Arthur Lilley.

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MUSIC FROM GREAT FILM CLASSICS - Conducted by the composer Bernard Herrmann with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Phase 4 Stereo SP 44144

Following the success of Music From the Great Movie Thrillers, this Phase 4 album was released featuring Herrmann film music form non-Hitchcock films, including Citizen Kane, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Devil and Daniel Webster and Jane Eyre. It's exciting to hear the Citizen Kane selections in bigger-than-life Phase 4 Stereo. Liner notes by Herrmann, produced by Tony D'Amato & Gavin Barrett, engineered by Arthur Bannister.

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THE FANTASY FILM WORLD OF BERNARD HERRMANN - Bernard Herrmann Conducting the National Philharmonic Orchestra, London Phase 4 Stereo SP 44207

On this LP, Herrmann re-records his scores from four fantasy and science fiction films, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Fahrenheit 451. Journey... is a unique score with no string section. Herrmann utilized five organs, a large Cathedral and four electronic, for various effects. The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad features a large percussion section. The xylophones in "The Duel with the Skeleton" are a perfect match for the film action. The Day the Earth Stood Still makes use of two theremins along with electric violin, bass and guitar. The themes in this score have been imitated so much they might sound a little corny today, but in 1951 this soundtrack must have been astonishing! Resisting the temptation of using electronic gimmicks for a science fiction score, Fahrenheit 451 features a standard orchestra. "Fire Engine," played during the fire engine scenes, is great fun. This is a must have album for anyone interested in science fiction or fantasy film music.

Note: This LP was reissued in the '90s by the audiophile label Mobile Fidelity, which sounds even better than the Phase 4 release (which sounds pretty darn good).

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OBSESSION - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK RECORDING - Music Composed and Conducted by Bernard Herrmann with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, London Phase 4 Stereo SPC21160

This late Phase 4 release from 1976 shows how the label was evolving. This is an "original soundtrack," not a studio re-recording (which had been a Phase 4 specialty in the '60s). A suitably moody and mysterious score for the Brian DePalma film. The main title utilizes a choir and organ and booming timpanis "Kidnap" shows that Herrmann hadn't lost his touch at writing for suspenseful scenes -- this is reminiscent of North By Northwest and Psycho. "The Tomb" features atmospheric organ and choir. A good, mature score from Herrmann. With its shifting from quiet moody passages to screeching, tension filled ones, this disc will give your stereo, and your ears, a good workout.

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