[Borges]

[Borges]

Classic Ping

[Argus]

Very nice remembrance of about the best of the classic film composers. Fusili mentions most of his finest work but omits his ravishing score for THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, which I rate at the very top of Herrmann’s output. But there’s not a misfire in the bunch.

[fieldmarshaldj]

One of the giants. It’s too bad he was only 64 when he died. He probably had 2 decades more work in him if he’d just been given the time.

[Publius]

I would recommend “Souvenirs de Voyage”, a 1967 piece for clarinet and string quartet. It’s delightfully romantic.

[Malesherbes]

Indeed one of the great ones. I add to the list: Nino Rota, John Barry, and among the living the 79 year old Wojciech Kilar.

[Larry Lucido]

Doesn't look 100.

[reg45]

Herrmann’s musical score for “Cape Fear” (1962) was so great that when Scorsese did a remake in 1991, he had Elmer Bernstein do a re-arrangement for the new movie.

[reg45]

His “rookie” composition was the score for “Citizen Kane”.

[Emperor Palpatine]

I think Herrmann's absolute masterpiece is the "Concerto Macabre for Piano and Orchestra", which I've had the privilege of performing once a few decades ago. The piece is actually from a 1945 film called "Hangover Square", and has this brooding sinister feel to it that few concerti, (by anyone), comes close to.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Actually I found a decent recording of the Concerto here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEAb8JNfvXs

Stephen Sondheim once remarked that hearing this particular piece when he was a boy was a major influence on his desire to become a composer.