Psycho (Original Movie Score)

Psycho (The Original Film Score) Bernard Herrmann - Hitchcock insisted that Bernard Herrmann write the score for Psycho despite the composer's refusal to accept a reduced fee for the film's lower budget. The resulting score, according to Christopher Palmer in The Composer in Hollywood (1990) is "perhaps Herrmann's most spectacular Hitchcock achievement."Hitchcock was pleased with the tension and drama the score added to the film, later remarking "33% of the effect of Psycho was due to the music."The singular contribution of Herrmann's score may be inferred from the unusual penultimate placement of the composer's name in the film's opening credit sequence, as it is followed only by Hitchcock's directing credit. Herrmann used the lowered music budget to his advantage by writing for a string orchestra rather than a full symphonic ensemble, contrary to Hitchcock's request for a jazz score. He thought of the single tone color of the all-string soundtrack as a way of reflecting the black-and-white cinematography of the film. The strings play con sordini (with a muting device placed across the bridge) for all the music other than the shower scene, creating a darker and more intense effect. Hollywood composer Fred Steiner, in an analysis of the score to Psycho, points out that string instruments gave Herrmann access to a wider range in tone, dynamics, and instrumental special effects than any other single instrumental group would have. The main title music, a tense, hurtling piece, sets the tone of impending violence, and returns three times on the soundtrack. Though nothing shocking occurs during the first 15-20 minutes of the film, the title music remains in the audience's mind, lending tension to these early scenes. Herrmann also maintains tension through the slower moments in the film through the use of ostinato. There were rumors that Herrmann had used electronic means, including amplified bird screeches to achieve the shocking effect of the music in the shower scene. The effect was achieved, however, only with violins in a "screeching, stabbing sound-motion of extraordinary viciousness."The only electronic amplification employed was in the placing of the microphones close to the instruments, to get a harsher sound. Besides the emotional impact, the shower scene cue ties the soundtrack to birds. The association of the shower scene music with birds also telegraphs to the audience that it is Norman, the stuffed-bird collector, who is the murderer rather than his mother.

1. A1 Prelude and Dawn
2. A2A the City
3. A2B Marion
4. A2C Marion and Sam
5. A3 Temptation
6. A4A Flight
7. A4B the Patrol Car
8. A4C the Car Lot
9. A4D the Package
10. A4E the Rainstorm
11. A5A Hotel Room
12. A5B the Window
13. A5C the Parlour
14. A6 the Madhouse
15. A7 the Peephole
16. B1A the Bathroom
17. B1B the Murder
18. B1C the Body
19. B2A the Office
20. B2B the Curtain
21. B2C the Water
22. B2D the Car
23. B2E the Swamp
24. B3A the Search (A)
25. B3B the Shadow
26. B3C Phone Booth
27. B4A the Porch
28. B4B the Stairs
29. B4C the Knife
30. B5A the Search (B)
31. B5B First Floor
32. B5C Cabin 10
33. B5D Cabin 1
34. B6A the Hill
35. B6B the Bedroom
36. B6C the Toys
37. B6D the Cellar
38. B6E Discovery
39. B7 Finale

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