Ted Holmes

I noticed some mention of James Bernard in another thread and thought I'd ask about his achievments outside Hammer films. He did something quite special in defining the sound of an entire studio but I've always felt he had about three tricks and that was it. Am I missing out? I don't mean to be overly critical, I do really enjoy what he does. The sheer energy of some of his music really created just the frisson Hammer film needed. But what else did he do?

penfold

Possibly the thread that mentioned him was referring to his soundtrack for Nosferatu.....I had the privilege to see him conduct this live at the Royal Festival Hall....IIRC it was his last feature film score....and it was superb, completing a circle by composing for the first out-and-out horror feature. Still available on DVD... BFI | Books & Video | DVD & Video

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Ted Holmes

It was the Evacuation of London thread I was thinking about and it was I who mentioned his Nosferatu score recently. You're very lucky to have heard it live!


I have the DVD and can't imagine it being superseded ever. I really do appreciate your feelings about seeing these things on the big screen with fellow human beings but still, this DVD is wonderful.

penfold

It was a seminal moment for me, personally...the first time I saw a silent film on a big screen with an orchestra. Well, that was me hooked...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Aaryk Noctivagus

What do you mean by 'three tricks'? (Not being funny... its an honest enquiry).

I don't major on James Bernard. What music I have heard of his has been very impressive. I mentioned him on the thread in question, because I was pleased to see he won an oscar... and then dismayed upon the realisation it was for writing words rather than music.

He had a magnificent talent. Three tricks or not... whatever it means... I wish I was one inch the composer he was.

Ted Holmes

The three tricks that I was thinking of would be the angular/sinister theme, usually in parallel tritones or major 7ths, depicting the monster or vampire. Then there's the rather saccharine/religious theme to represent a virgin/the power of the church. Then there's the manic jagged string patterns doubled with side drum for the action sequences.

I know I'm generalising! But this does seem to be James Bernard's formula. It's a formula that works excellently. I wasn't intending to criticise his work, merely to ask whether his musical horizons were broader.

I do like James Bernard's scores. Compared with Rachel Portman, James Horner etc. he was a veritable genius!

Foster twelvetrees

Three tricks quite possibly but they were fanatstic tricks and defined the music of an entire studio for a good 25 years. Nothing wrong with doing what you can do and doing it well i don't think. Taste The Blood of Dracula is one of the best and most romantic scores of all time.

Guenther

ACROSS THE BRIDGE
QUATERMASS 2

Just fantastic!