A Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann

by Steven C. Smith

Book Overview

No composer contributed more to film than Bernard Herrmann, who in over 40 scores enriched the work of such directors as Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Fran ois Truffaut, and Martin Scorsese. In this first major biography of the composer, Steven C. Smith explores the interrelationships between Herrmann's music and his turbulent personal life, using much previously unpublished information to illustrate Herrmann's often outrageous behavior, his working...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520071239
• ISBN13: 9780520071230
• Release Date: June 1991
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Bernard Herrmann lives on!

One of filmdom's most innovative and influential composers was the late Bernard Herrmann. Remembered mostly for the six films that he scored for director Alfred Hitchcock, the composer had successes with other filmmakers, along with a long tenure as lead conductor of the CBS Orchestra on radio. During his time at CBS, he wrote many compositions for the medium, and finished an opera based on Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights". Author Smith has compiled a fascinating look at Herrmann, exposing the man's genius that went hand-and-hand with his tempetuosity. The book also reveals how Herrmann suited his music for the characters that were to be seen onscreen, crafting each note to the storyline and the director's wishes. "A Heart at Fire's Center" is a must-read for those that admire the man, as well as for those that have an interest in the nuances and mandates of scoring for the movies.

Superb biography of a legendary composer!

The true test of a film book is, does it make you want to see the films discussed? The true test of a composer's biography is, does it make you want to listen to the composer's music? Steven C. Smith's A HEART AT FIRE'S CENTER scores on both counts. This is a throroughly detailed and fascinating biography of a composer whose influence continues to be felt in film music (take a listen to the opening theme of M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS - James Newton Howard has obviously been listening to Herrmann's PSYCHO suite). With wonderful details on Herrmann's collaborations with Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Francois Truffaut and Martin Scorcese, this is a must-have book for every student of American film - and film music.

storm at heart's center

Steven Smith's study of the life of Bernard Herrmann thoroughly traces the development of Herrmann's career with all of it's frustrations and many of it's achievements. The author takes great care to portray Herrmann's complex personality frequently given to outbursts of anger and frustration to even his closest supports and friends. Herrmann's disappointments in his less than successful conducting career, struggles to achieve acceptance as a composer of serious music, and blow ups with major directors including Hitchcock , with whom some of his greatest film scores were achieved, are well documented by Smith. Herrmann's early work to promote the music of Charles Ives, including recordings of movements of two of Ive's symphonies are described. Quoting the composer's views of music for film and the aesthetics of film, the author has written a throughly documented and enjoyable book for those interested in an important composer of 20th century American film scores.

A very detailed look at an infuriating composer.

The story of Bernard Herrmann does not begin and end with Hitchcock. It actually begins with Charles Ives and ends with Martin Scorcese. Along the way Orson Welles, Francios Trouffet, Brian DePalma, Sinbad, Gulliver, Rod Serling, and the "It's Alive" baby turn up. A biography of Bernard Herrmann tells the history of the use of music in radio, television, and film. It also tells the story of a brilliant, infuriating, and ultimately tragic figure. If you have an interest in film composing - real composing, not gathering 10 pop songs on a CD and calling it a soundtrack - you owe it to yourself to read this biography. And better yet would be to listen to some of his music while reading - the book vividly describes the music but hearing is believing.

A must for everyone who loves film music

This is a splendid book. meticulously researched about one of film music's most charismatic and controversial figures. A raging restless talent who alienated all who cared for him. The spats with those he worked with. The music he composed and the constant disatisfaction he felt with that music. The frustration of not being able to write as he really wanted to. Opera in the grand manner. And to be a great conductor. Film music was always second-best and though he never composed down to the film, some of the movies definitetly were not worthy of his talent. The halcyon days with Welles and Hitchcock. The mediocrity of so many other films all contributed to the downward spiral of a genius. I don't expect you to agree with my views, I do beg you to read a book that is quite un-putdownable. Jonathan