Bernard Herrmann

Echoes for String Quartet

This single-movement for String quartet employs some of the more familiar elements of Herrmann's compositional style: short musical phrases repeated and then repeated again in other positions, sharp use of dynamics among them. Itis a fascinating sidelight into the work of one of the 20th century's most brilliant composers. Bernard Herrmann was among the greatest of all composers of music for cinema and there are many who avow that he was the greatest ofall. A very short list of the films for which this award-winning composer created soundtracks includes Citizen Kane, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, Jason and Argonauts, Fahrenheit 451, Obsession and Taxi Driver. He hadalong and fertile association with Alfred Hitchcock during the most productive period of Hitchcock's career and with Orson Welles from the time of the Mercury Theatre on the Air. In addition to his conducting and composing workfor the entertainment world, Herrmann wrote concert pieces, including a symphony, opera and cantata.