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Bernard Herrmann & The National Philharmonic Orchestra

Psycho Suite: The Intended Full Original Score

Review by Gary Hill

If you have seen the movie "Psycho," you have heard much of this music. Bernard Herrmann wrote that score, but it was changed for use in the film. This recording showcases the way he intended it to be done. Personally, I think it gets a little long in places, but your mileage may vary. One comment I need to make is that unfortunately there is some tape hiss that is quite audible on some of the subtler parts of this. It's not a huge deal, but it is definitely noticeable at times. I would also preface my track reviews by saying that, first, I'm not a classical reviewer, and this is classical music. Secondly, as many times as I have seen that film, it's hard for me to completely remove the music from the movie, so memories of the classic work have probably colored my feelings on the various tracks. No matter how you slice it, though (see what I did there?) this release is worthwhile. You might say it's a cut above the rest. Okay, I need to stop.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024  Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.

Track by Track Review
Prelude
The familiar violin dominated arrangement that is heard often throughout the movie (and in the shower scene in particular) is the basis of this piece. This gets a little more involved than I remember it from the actual soundtrack. It also seems to go on longer.
The City - Marion - Marion and Sam

Quieter, and much more restful there is both a sadness and a sense of wonder to this. It almost has a "world waking up" sort of vibe to me.

Temptation

In some ways, this feels like it expands on some of the elements of the previous track. There is definitely a sense of foreboding here.

Flight - The Patrol Car - The Car Lot - The Package - The Rainstorm

This starts with the same themes that opened the suite. They seem more intense and insistent here, though. It reaches a peak and then drops back to a much more sedate zone to continue. The familiar themes return after a journey into decidedly mellow territory.

Hotel Room- The Window - The Parlour

A bit on the mellower end as it gets going, this has familiar themes and vibes. It also has a subtle sense of impending doom.

The Madhouse

This piece is somewhat sedate, but also menacing. It's pretty freaky in some ways.

The Peephole

There is a real sense of doom here. This works from being on the mellower side to gradually become more intense.

The Bathroom - The Murder - The Body

Some familiar themes return as this gets going. The most famous theme from the soundtrack returns for the murder section.

The Office- The Curtain - The Water - The Car - The Swamp

With both variants on familiar themes and new ones, this piece has a lot of dread and emotion to it. It does feel very much like the aftermath of something in a lot of ways.

The Search - The Shadow - The Phone Booth

While this is not hugely different from what has come before, it does carry some additional flavors.

The Porch- The Stairs - The Knife

I like the almost dark fantasy feel to some of this a lot. It's slow moving, dramatic and very intriguing. When the main theme comes back near the end, it feels sharper and really does seem like a knife repeatedly stabbing.

The Search - The First Floor - Cabin 10 - Cabin 1

More returning themes in new forms bring this into being. Mellower modes are on the menu here. This has some unfamiliar stuff in addition to the reprised music. There is a real sense of dread here.

The Hill - The Bedroom - The Toys - The Cellar - Discovery

While much of this is on the mellower side, there is some dramatic building later along the road. It turns much louder and menacing later. Dark, dangerous swirling patterns emerge at the end of the piece.

Finale

Variants on the themes bring this to a satisfying conclusion.

 
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