Film Classics

This CD set by EloQuence is a great value. It comprises three (!) of Bernard Herrmann's film score recordings from his London/Phase 4 period spread across 2 discs. All recorded in spectacular "in-your-face" sound ("...Sinbad" is not quite as spirited as his movie soundtrack but it does sound so much better here). Here, the gimickry (odd balances, close mic work, etc.) that Phase 4 was known for is used to fine effect here. The inner details are clearly defined. Although, I do find the re-mastering has given these pieces a brightness that I am not too keen about.

All of these are Herrmann's own scores reduced into multi-movement suites; eleven in all. The real standouts are "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad", "Day the Earth Stood Still", "Fahrenheit 451", and "Jason and the Argonauts". In some instances, they are superior to the original soundtracks; "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is one such example. True, it is not the complete score for the film, but the "big" moments are all there (as I remember them) and brillantly played by the National Phil. Another especially beautiful moment is the interplay of harps (left and right) during The Road and Finale from "Fahrenheit 451". I heard this in concert with Erich Kunzel conducting the Cincinnati Pops. That performance and the subsequent recording is a really nice, lush, account but they only used one harp. Maybe the "second" is some of the Phase 4 tricks or maybe Herrmann re-worked the part for the addition of a second harp. Regardless the reason, it is a beautiful affect; even in the brightness that the re-mastering created.

I am looking forward to my next shipment which, hopefully, will include the other collection of Herrmann film scores; including the Phase 4 album he did of Hitchcock movies.

If you are a fan of Bernard Herrmann and/or film scores in general, you will not be disappointed. A great collection and a really great value.

I've become a Bernard Hermann music lover fan after seeing the film ( The Man Who Knew Too Much ) f/w Doris Day & Jimmy Steward. After seeing Bernard Hermann conduct his own score The Storm Clouds Cantata with the London Symphony Orchestra in London inside the famous ( Royal Albert Hall ) . After this I've discovered other famous popular film scores , North by Northwest / Physco / Reare Window / Marine / The devil & Daniel Webster , & Many other well written filmscores seldomly heard. I was very happy to discover that Amazon carried his much neglected/foregotton filmscores. It's great to shop at a website that has acess to such material. Great Job AMAZON , keep up the Good Work . 10/10 experience.

Eloquence has once again done a splendid job of remastering. These were originally recorded using the outrageous "Phase 4" super-highlighting techniques which unnaturally spotlit certain sections or instruments in the orchestra and brought them unnaturally forward. I have the original Decca Phase 4 CD releases, and while they are extremely vivid (sometimes adding extra excitement), they sound bright, forward and at times aggressive/harsh. These Eloquence issues have very successfully eliminated most of that knob-fiddling done by the engineer during the recording sessions and they sound much, much more natural. That highlighting now just adds a sense of realism and heightened imaging, without any forwardness or spotlighting. These sound quite splendid with a newfound refinement, yet still retain all their verve and excitement. The National Philharmonic plays splendidly for Herrmann and it is cause for rejoicing to have these recordings finally presented in natural, realistic, non-gimmacky sound. I don't know how Eloquence does it, but BRAVO!