Day the Earth Stood Still [CASSETTE] [Import]

Bernard Herrmann is rightly regarded as one of the most important composers for film in the 20th century. His work has become synonymous with certain types of movie. Indeed his scores are often so tightly bound with their films that it's almost impossible to think of one without the other.

The most obvious is his score for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'. His screeching violin score for the shower scene is not only a vital component but a motif recognised in it's own right the world over.

And consider the list of films Bernard Herrmann wrote for. Vertigo, North By Northwest, Citizen Kane, Cape Fear and Taxi Driver are just a few of this Oscar-winning composer's film scores.

And then there's this one - 'The Day The Earth Stood Still'. It set the template for hundreds of sci-fi and horror films with its compelling use of the Theremin. There's plenty of variety here too. Moments of slow bass-heavy trepidation are interspersed with extraordinarily beautiful sequences. The piano section (entitled 'Radar') and the mysterious, sparkling 'Space Control' tracks are particular standouts. And let's not forget the quietly frightening music for the wonderful elevator scene.

But it will be the thumping great 'Gort' sequences that people will immediately remember. Its soaring Theremin and unusual instrumentation add mightily to the film's portentous and thoughtful theme.

In fact, the instrumentation itself is noteworthy. Along with the aforementioned Russian electronic instrument, Herrmann utilised electric violin, cello and bass, two Hammond organs, two harps, three trumpets, three trombones, four tubas, three vibraphones..... and so this highly curious list goes on. The point here is that he not only had some pretty complex melodies in mind but also the extraordinary gift of understanding precisely which specific (and highly unusual) instruments to choose.

This was not in any way a standard film score and in these sophisticated times it's hard to imagine the huge impact this score had in it's day. This score also achieves something that many other soundtracks do not. It sounds utterly fabulous on it's own.

Everything is here. And this is the disc to get. There is a modern re-recording of the score but although well done it cannot match the original for atmosphere. This CD is derived from the original 1951 tapes so therefore the sound quality is not up to today's superb standards. However, great care has been taken to master the original tapes for digitisation. I actually think the old technology and techniques greatly add to the feel of this recording. You just cannot reproduce this kind of sound any more.

And, frankly, putting this CD on after work and cranking it right up is a downright heart-thumping thrill.

But hold on, what are the prices here on Amazon.co.uk? The cheapest today is £35 for a second hand one up to a whopping £131! It's enough to make Gort destroy a planet! Well I have my copy here and it cost around £12 when I bought it from Amazon.com. I just checked again and there are several for sale at about 24 bucks and that's a pretty fine price. So head over to the American branch of Amazon if you want this fine, fine score.

I first saw this film on a sunday afternoon many years ago and it still has a strong hold on my imagination. This is the original soundtrack by the wonderful Bernard Herrmann who was responsible for some of the most beautiful film scores ever composed. The orchestration is inspired and unique, not to be missed.