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Reviewed by Chris McEneany, 9th August 2010.
Purists can argue back and forth about the value of this re-recording over the original release from Herrmann, but the fact remains that this interpretation from Joel McNeely and RSNO both sounds superior and contains the complete score as written by Herrmann. With great cover art and a very finely written booklet of notes on the film and the score, this is the aural Psycho that every motel should have piped throughout its rooms on dark and stormy nights. As awesome an experience for the ears and the imagination as Hitchcock's film is for the eyes and the mind, the score for Psycho is a cultural icon to match the themes for both Jaws and Halloween in the symphonic Halls of the Macabre.
Monolithic, yet surprisingly delicate for much of the time, this is the music of the night a spectral delight that bewitches, haunts and transforms. Bernard Herrmann would see his relationship with Alfred Hitchcock fall apart over the next few years when his refusal to supply Torn Curtain with a modern, breezy score was met with fury by the director. 1964's Marnie would be their last successful collaboration. Rising above the great Vertigo and the propulsive North By Northwest, Psycho remains the pinnacle of their creative partnership.
So to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Cinema's most defining and iconic moments, make Mother proud and double-up your purchase of Psycho on Blu-ray with this fantastic recording of its inspired and indomitable score.
You'd have to be crazy not to.
Read the full review...
Purists can argue back and forth about the value of this re-recording over the original release from Herrmann, but the fact remains that this interpretation from Joel McNeely and RSNO both sounds superior and contains the complete score as written by Herrmann. With great cover art and a very finely written booklet of notes on the film and the score, this is the aural Psycho that every motel should have piped throughout its rooms on dark and stormy nights. As awesome an experience for the ears and the imagination as Hitchcock's film is for the eyes and the mind, the score for Psycho is a cultural icon to match the themes for both Jaws and Halloween in the symphonic Halls of the Macabre.
Monolithic, yet surprisingly delicate for much of the time, this is the music of the night a spectral delight that bewitches, haunts and transforms. Bernard Herrmann would see his relationship with Alfred Hitchcock fall apart over the next few years when his refusal to supply Torn Curtain with a modern, breezy score was met with fury by the director. 1964's Marnie would be their last successful collaboration. Rising above the great Vertigo and the propulsive North By Northwest, Psycho remains the pinnacle of their creative partnership.
So to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Cinema's most defining and iconic moments, make Mother proud and double-up your purchase of Psycho on Blu-ray with this fantastic recording of its inspired and indomitable score.
You'd have to be crazy not to.
Read the full review...