 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I agree that the Portrait is what is essential. But one thing the full album has that the suite lacks is is the wonderful autumnal sense that comes, for example, in the track called, um, Autumn. Seriously, as said earlier, the quiet music and the romantic music do a great job of conveying the sense of the season that is for me one of the most striking aspects of the film, which is a favorite in our household.
If $30 is too much for the album, there is always the digital version, which I'm enjoying right now on Spotify.
I live in Vermont, so the opening scene (and music) is magical to me. The rest of the movie I rank with Wrong Man as being perhaps better off on the Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Despite my Herrmann sycophancy, they're also two of my least favorites by him musically as well.
However, that opening scene's music...it is probably enough for me to spring the 30 US for it. 30 bucks for magical music (even if it is mostly just that overture) isn't a big price to pay (I've paid quite a bit more for other Herrmann scores).
I'll stop being a crybaby about it now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another five years have passed since the last post in this thread. I wonder if we will ever be lucky enough to get a release of the original "Harry" recording. We should be thankful for the Varese recording (which was really a nice release), but it has the same problems like the other releases in that series. With Intrada preparing a new recording of "The Man Who Knew Too Much," it may not be the best time to ask, but I think the lack of a release of the original recording of "Harry" is a major gap. The movie itself (the story I mean) may not be that great, but "Harry" is a prime example of how movies can capture sheer beauty - perfectly married with music. In reality, the movie would work with just the images and the music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another five years have passed since the last post in this thread. I wonder if we will ever be lucky enough to get a release of the original "Harry" recording. We should be thankful for the Varese recording (which was really a nice release), but it has the same problems like the other releases in that series. With Intrada preparing a new recording of "The Man Who Knew Too Much," it may not be the best time to ask, but I think the lack of a release of the original recording of "Harry" is a major gap. The movie itself (the story I mean) may not be that great, but "Harry" is a prime example of how movies can capture sheer beauty - perfectly married with music. In reality, the movie would work with just the images and the music.
I've come to appreciate this film more and more after several decades have passed. So, I think it's a great movie in a special time capsule that may give it a quite dated look today because of the radical changes in the society since its original release.
Great score by Herrmann, rightfully considered as one of his very best. It's not the Brutalo-Herrmann you're hearing here but the most subtle one.
The only thing I find really laughable in the film are the scenes in which the Forsythe character digs a deep hole in the forest with a shovel that is completely unsuitable for this purpose. You could never dig a body in and out several times a day with that thing. Hollywood, oh, well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That photograph of Herrmann on the back cover with the album's producer Tony D'Amato shows Herrmann with a cigarette in his mouth that no doubt led to the heart condition that would claim his life.
Herrmann lived an unhealthy life, he became obese, was often in an unhappy state of mind, ate unhealthy yet rather expensive food, had little fresh air, and the smoking was just another factor that led to his early demise. You can't just say it was all due to his heavy smoking. He should have gone to a holistic doctor in the sixties who would have told him all this. But I doubt Herrmann would have listened to him... if he ever went there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes, you want to take a quick, refreshing shower, and sometimes you want to take your time luxuriating in a nice long bath.
I've always loved the suite from the moment I first heard it on the Hitchcock LP. By the same token, I've welcomed and relished having the full score on hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
