Bernard Herrmann: Symphony No. 1 (1941) [DDD]

Phoenix Symphony Orchestra conducted by/ Orquesta Sinfónica de Phoenix dirigida por James Sedares.

I. Maestoso - Allegro (0:00)
II. Scherzo (13:50)
III. Andante sostenuto (19:49)
IV. Rondo: Finale (28:31)

Herrmann’s only symphony was written in a common style used in American and British music during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Nevertheless, its beautiful and dramatic language was obscured due to the rise of musical nationalism (or Americana) in his home country.

La única sinfonía de Herrmann fue escrita en un lenguaje común a otras sinfonías estadounidenses y británicas de las décadas de 1920 y 1930. No obstante, su dramático y hermoso lenguaje fue opacado en favor del auge del nacionalismo musical estadounidense.


Image/ imagen: NYC Skyline in 1960 / Panorama de Nueva York en 1960.

[lewisedmundscomposer]

I really believe that Herrmann was the most underrated composer of his time. He was certainly the best of the best!

[joewright]

Tonight I am watching Mysterious Island (1961). The music in the opening credits made me stop to search for his music. I have seen every film that he and Ray Harryhausen worked on together.
Jason and the Argonauts, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, The Three Worlds of Gulliver and Mysterious Island. I was too young to drive myself to the theater when they first came out, but seeing these on the big screen would be great.

[kirsteni.russell]

Many thanks for posting this. I've been a Bernard Herrmann fan for half a century, but I've never heard his symphony before. It's wonderful!

[EvanYoungMusic]

11:10 that build up is amazing… how has no orchestra ever tried to tackle this piece?

[sarahmartin]

He is one of my favorite film composers and now I'm discovering the rest of his compositions : it"s magic. I love 💕 ♥ 💜 him.

[charlesmchugh]

Bernard Herrmann is a fascinating composer in that he explored the possibilities in various genre. He's best known for his film scores I suppose. But many years ago, I heard his opera, Wuthering Heights, performed by the Minnesota Opera in Saint Paul. I have to confess that this my first hearing of this symphony (thanks to this upload). I've always loved his Hitchcock scores where he has such an individual voice -- nobody like him. I suppose one could compare him with Korngold, whom I also greatly admire. Anyway, I'm loving this Herrmann symphony.

[hectorbarrionuevo]

Wonderful music: features great drama, orchestral colors (winds and dark), and lyricism !!! E.W. Korngold, W. Walton, and W. Alwyn (among many other great composers) also wrote fantastic concert music !

[shortattentionspantheatre]

Glorious prelude to the Hitchcockian soundtracks of our collective shared experiences, of belonging----sadly absent more and more today ;therefore I listen daily and am dazzled---i.e., banishing the creeping Hell of anomie

[TimeandMonotony]

Thanks so much for uploading! Herrmann is my favorite film/TV composer, but I'd never heard this, it's lovely!

[manco]

Incredible stuff. The GOAT of film composers.

[Cesar_SM]

Ohh yes, this is powerful and throbbing. The first time I heard it I was amazed, such an astounding symphony!! In fact, nowadays it still amaze me!!

[bdavis]

The combination of chord structure and picking the right tones to play them is a special art. The best Americans to do that were Herrmann and Leonard Bernstein. The great one not born in the U.S. was Miklos Rozsa. Ben-Hur (1959) is still the best film score.

[gabrieru]

Herrmann, tan maravilloso en música de cine como de concierto....una de mis sinfonías norteamericanas preferidas.

[Manaritzis]

Unbelievable changes so smooth but powerful

[RafikNYphoto_and_film]

I too have been a fan of BH and also never heard this. A true gem worth listening to and studying. Thank you for posting.

[Nat.Dialogue]

A rarity from the master ! What a find .. your excellence is appreciated

[davidhowell]

Herrmann's Symphony N.1 is really a good listen.

[kentallard]

very cinematic quality to it, I can picture movies set to this

[michaelfantus]

Mr. Hermann, this is stunning. The baleful and melancholy call of the solo horn in the beginning, followed by the barely contained emotion in the harmonics and latter thematic development are heart wrenching. Thank you for creating this.

[martinlieberman]

Thanks, never heard this before and I just love Herrmann!