The Musical GENIUS That Made "Vertigo" SO Effective | Scene d'Amour

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

Bernard Herrmann is one of those composers that doesn't get talked about enough. And this film is just scratching the surface of his incredible body of work. Give this entire soundtrack a listen!!

[@jasoncarr1918]

It was a very long time ago now, but when I was taking film scoring classes in college it almost seemed like we were talking about nobody except Bernard Herrmann. Maybe some Max Steiner too. He may not be talked about much nowadays, but he was extremely influential.

[@MatthewHousengaMusic]

I have listened to this score so many times. Thanks for this video. I would love to see you cover Herrmann's score for North by Northwest or Day the Earth Stood Still. They are some of my favorite scores of all time!

[@QualityCandor]

I am SOOOO glad more people are talking about Herrmann. He is quite possibly one of the most influential composers in cinema history, so hearing one of my favorite music channels break down one of my favorite cues from one of my favorite films is a real treat. When Brian DePalma did his takeoff on "Vertigo" with the aptly titled "Obsession," he not only managed to recruit Herrmann, but the composer penned one of his greatest scores just months before his death. Definitely worth a listen (especially the finale cue "Airport." Excellent work as always!

[@garrettbays6942]

Follow up on this soundtrack with his own love letter to this score, Obsession; okay, maybe it isn't a love letter, but it was still a master stroke on Brian De Palma's part hiring Herrmann to score his love letter to Vertigo. The Night Digger is another both beautiful and terrifying score he composed as well.

[@garrettbays6942]

​@QualityCandor Sorry about repeating the information you already stated. I hadn't read your comment until after I wrote mine.

[@kgreene317]

Really glad you chose this. Vertigo is such a beautiful score, with Bernard Herrmann's usual tension and power. This particular track pops up in my random Spotify playlist and it gets me every time. Love me some Herrmann.

[@MyMikes1]

The Ab#11 bears strong similarity to the F#11 bar 17 of the Tristan prelude, the "love chord". Herrmann is citing Wagner with no doubt.

[@clementinelives]

The drifting pitch on the strings, man I love how old films sound

[@-NGC-6302-]

Yeah there's something telling about the scores that I can't help but notice right away when I hear them

[@localbod]

💯🎯

[@billyalarie929]

That shit was absolutely black magic to me, I’ve maybe seen this movie once but I’ve never noticed that weaving in and out from both strings players, starting from opposite sides. Absolutely disorienting to the point of feeling you’re being mocked and offended right before your very eyes. Christ, that was a wild ride.

[@davidmaddox1216]

Hitchcock originally wanted the shower scene from Psycho not to have any music. But Bernard Harmann wrote music anyway, without telling Hitchcock until he secretly synced it up to the scene and showed it to him. Also, when asked why the score to Psycho only contained strings, he answered "Black & white music for a black & white movie." He was a one-of-a-kind, brilliant composer. And Hitchcock's films before and after Hermann just weren't the same. (North by Northwest being my favorite Hermann score.)

[@billyhick480]

He also wrote the score on a reduced budget because he refused to lower his own fee, so he couldn't have a full Symphony Orchestra!

[@martinparks6914]

The credits music in 'North by Northwest' is extraordinary. And what about 'Taxi Driver'?

[@danawinsor1380]

@@martinparks6914 The music in "Taxi Driver" always surprises me because it's so jazzy.

[@brandonlien]

Vertigo is one of my favorite movies with the score being a huge part of why. I still can't describe how I feel when I see that shot of Judy as Madeleine, in the ghostly green light, as the music crescendos; it's a psychological and emotional space that only cinema can provide. Every time I revisit a film with Bernard Herrmann's scores, they continue to be part of the soundtrack of my life.

[@watchp0int]

The eerie green lighting is also so special. Such a great film.

[@MadailinBurnhope]

and it's still being done: SAW, J-horror...

[@mattpigg3216]

HOLY SMOKES-I’ve thought EXACTLY the same thing about this scene forever. The music tells the whole story in one sweeping movement-he had her, he lost her, he found her. Just amazing stuff! Thanks, bro!

[@SO-ym3zs]

All the Hitch/Stewart films are great, but Vertigo is a flat-out masterpiece of directing, music, acting, cinematography, title design, editing...you name it. It's a beautiful and deeply disturbing film.

[@jaygatz4335]

And let's not forget the Desoto and Jaguar gracing the screen!

[@danawinsor1380]

@@jaygatz4335 Goodness! It's been a long time since I last heard "Desoto" mentioned or appearing in print.

[@Kredeidi]

My favorite movie, but I never realised the music played such a role. It is integrated so well and there is so much unique stuff in this film!

[@philipburton9518]

I saw this as an 8-yr-old at the drive-in in the back of the family car in 1958, and even then I was spellbound - glued to the screen. This is a haunting film, and, YES, it would be nothing without Bernard Herman's genius score.

[@limeymcfrog1]

Hermann was a genius and not enough known today. I think another example of film music doing this kind of heavy lifting is in the finale of ET - John Williams score is the heart of everything there.

[@Dante02d12]

You transmit your passion to the viewers so well! I love watching your videos thanks to it no matter the topic. Your analysis is very clear even without knowing music theory, and yet you still make us learn some technical things.

[@MatthewHousengaMusic]

One of my favorite film composers of all time!

[@chrisl4953]

Herrmann is my absolute favorite film composer. Vertigo is a great score. Thanks for doing this!

[@StrifeGarza7777]

Definitely feels like an homage to Tristan and Isolde. Almost sounds exactly the same at times. Another movie that does something similar but for different reasons is Melancholia; though the main theme for that IS Tristan and Isolde. I had typed out this message before getting to the end of the video… lol. But you should check out melancholia

[@dutchhistoricalactingcolle5883]

T & I mixed with Verklaerte Nacht

[@philipconnelly1505]

He did Melancholia/Tristan the week before this video.

[@StrifeGarza7777]

The next day after this video came out and I wrote that message, I noticed it was in his recent videos lmfao. Gotta catch up on these haha

[@AlextheguitarFreak]

I'm so glad you finally did a piece by Bernard Hermann I've been waiting for this for a while! Epic! Great video!

[@Michael253]

To add to this amazing moment in film is how Terry Gilliam brilliantly referenced it in “12 Monkeys”. This Vertigo scene plays in the theater when Madeleine Stowe comes out of the bathroom and Bruce Willis realizes that she is the woman he saw as a child. One brilliant movie scene used to show the parallels with another - all with Bernard Herman’s fabulous music.

[@arijin]

Yesssss! I watch this like twice a year. Such a masterpiece.

[@hollownation]

I was literally just talking about this soundtrack with someone, one of the best of all time it tells most of the story

[@davidbaise5137]

This is the scene where the camera does a 360 degree pan around the couple. Jimmy Stewart plays a crazy person pretty well. Thanks for this demo, Charles!

[@JakeSandersonMusic]

The score to Vertigo is, in my humble opinion, the greatest film score every composed. No disrespect to Max Steiner, John Williams, Howard Shore and numerous others, but there is just something about Vertigo that makes me think "utter perfection".

[@davidmaddox1216]

It's right up there with Jerry Goldsmith's score for the original "Planet of the Apes" for me.

[@HankAndStuff64]

I didn't know film scores could get even better than 2001, but here we are

[@KlevrGuy]

I keep tuning in to watch your videos as much to revel in your utter enthusiasm as for your observations! Always a treat.

[@cooldebt]

Really appreciate this analysis - I feel like we only now really recognise all the musicians 'behind the scenes' because most of the time, the actors were the stars (even though movies scores have had a Grammy category almost from the beginning). Same for VGM which I never really noticed until my kids played Club Penguin and then I thought it was so clever to be able to come up with something that had to be repeated but without people getting sick of it (if you can't get past the level!). Then came The Consouls and others playing jazzy VGM and honouring all the composers behind the scenes.

[@QactisX]

Man I love Alfred Hitchcock. North By Northwest is my favorite. That movie is incredible. You are spot on though Vertigo had the most iconic music.

[@dallinforsyth8762]

Could you talk about Vienna Teng's "Hymn of Axciom" at some point? It's such an beautiful song but still is the most interesting sounding musical piece of art I've really ever heard. It's a musical goldmine of everything talked about in your videos and I think it'd be amazing for you to cover! (Bonus points for the Bluecoats 2014 performance)

[@Toadsavior]

seconded- Vienna teng is incredible and deserves more appreciation :D

[@frankyan3943]

Saw Vertigo last year live with New York Philharmonic playing the score to the screen. Absolutely one of my best concert experiences

[@JuanMoraMusic10]

Watching and learning from you became a healthy addiction. Looking forward for that cyber Monday bundle! (I'm not cheap, I'm just Latin 😅)

[@auuffuulww]

Man! I wish this was 10 hours long. I suggested vertigo in your Wagner video so I’m so happy this happened.

[@jdanigole]

Definitely reminds me of Wagner's Liebestod.

[@peretomas1294]

It is absolutely inspired on Isolde’s Liebestod

[@aldoelmusico]

Herrmann is one of the GOAT. It's really sad living in these times when music for film is no longer approached in this lirical and preponderant way. Except for a couple of exceptions, i no longer find movie scores that survive outside the movie experience and have a life on its own. But it is what it is. Now, thinking about cues that make the scene, i think there are several, but one came to my mind that takes a very special place in my memory: the map room scene, from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Love your channel Charles, my gratitude and admiration, and a very big hug!!

[@benmccarthy3568]

This was great, Charles. Thank you! My favorite movie and that progression is indeed chilling.

[@lastnamefirstname8655]

more great music! thanks charles! background music and other music found in soundtracks are often just as interesting as the most advertised songs and music works!

[@bford71]

Amazing! I was just listening to the Vertigo soundtrack two days ago. This is one of my favorite films and the collaborations between Hitchcock and Herrmann are genius.

[@henryyoung372]

Just read the author Anthony Doerr’s essay on Suspense, and he touches on how it might be built in writing. It’s cool to see it exemplified so well in this scene with the cinematography and especially the music

[@musicfreak21]

Got a chance to arrange this piece and still haunts me to this day. The process just took me on a whole new appreciation journey for the masterpiece.

[@stereo8893]

Thank you so much.

[@lautarokuttel]

Vertigo is incredible. Love seeing an analysis of the film’s music

[@leftymagoo2710]

I took a course in Creative Writing where, as a class , we watched one of A.H.’s movies and then were tasked with writing a creative essay critique about the movie. Nice job there (again) Charles!🙏

[@joshcharlat850]

It is amazing!!!

[@davidpickup3021]

Charles, this is one of the greatest analyzations I've ever heard. Thank you for your passion from a cinephile. Why don't you review the main theme from To Kill a Mockingbird? Marvelous.

[@rnadata]

So much inspiration! Thanks bro!!

[@trg37]

I love your passion for great music and can relate perfectly...serious fun! I always am reminded of the Mahler pieces they used in Visconti's "Death in Venice" when I hear the "Scene D'Amour" from Vertigo. Is it just me?

[@bpabustan]

For me, Kim Novak is the centerpiece of Vertigo. I can't take my eyes off her!

[@imaginepageant]

Oooh, I’d love a video about how different music can change a scene. You know, like those “Harry Potter but with a horror score” things. It always amazes me how powerfully music can influence how we perceive a scene. You know what else I’d like? MORE CHRONO TRIGGER PLEASE.

[@poikapi062]

I'd really like to get your thoughts on the psychedelic roller coaster of Incense and Peppermints. It was a huge hit in the 60s and has to include some of the weirdest key changes I've ever heard.

[@postmodernrecycler]

This scene is perfect cinema with all the elements coming together. Hermann's score also makes the otherwise boring driving/following scenes mesmerizing. And the music scored with the Sequoia scene and the surrealist nightmare sequences-- Well, I could go on.

[@BIAKBR]

The green color is also a great part of this scene... Bernard Herrmann is a genius... calling this piece Scene d'Amour... waouw !

[@michaellinnehan9589]

The opening music to that scene sounds like “Neptune” by Holst!

[@adrianleverkuehn9832]

Yes! Glad you mentioned it. And Herrmann seems to have "alluded" to it in a few other pieces, including the "Twilight Zone" season 1 intro & closing credits from 1959 (not the more famous Marius Constant "ding-ding-ding-ding" theme used from season 2 on), mixed with something similar to the Schoenberg shifting colors on the pond (from S.'s "FIve Pieces"). Maybe I'm just guessing. But that kind of combination was typical of Herrmann. Previn, who was basically mentored by Herrmann, said that Herrmann knew almost all music that ever existed and forced Previn to learn it, too! I think that, like John Williams, Herrmann was able to reflect the influences of various great composers in his own very original way. The score to TZ Season 1 "Walking Distance" is an example.

[@tuanofakind]

6:56 instead of an A flat major chord (which would be a sharp 5th/flat 6th chord on the C major scale ?) with a sharp 11 in the melody, isn't it an F minor 7 chord (4th minor chord) with a flat 13 in the melody ? It would match what you said in the video about the Tristan chord which uses the 4th minor chord for tension

[@davidecirillo9675]

If you’re captivated by lush string harmonies, don’t miss Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht

[@adrianleverkuehn9832]

Yes. Lush strings harmonies and "cinematic" psychological tension, composed before any movies had been made.

[@driouxbie]

Nobody did it better than Benny. Herrmann was (and still is) an absolute titan. Great choice.

[@driouxbie]

For scenes elevated by music, check out "Death Is The Road To Awe" from "The Fountain" (music by Clint Mansell and Mogwai), "Adagio" from Alien 3 (music by Elliot Goldenthal), and "The Helicopter" from "Traffic" (music by Cliff Martinez).

[@terryhammond1253]

The Bride Of Frankenstein remains my favorite Waxman score. In fact, the Bride's theme is where Richard Rodgers got the musical theme for his song Bali H'ai from the musical South Pacific.

[@danilocamus7126]

Wow 0:30 seconds and you can't say, "this scene would be nothing." I love Bernard Herrmann. I really love his compositions, especially for this film (in my top 5 favorite films in cinema). But THIS SCENE has many factors that made it fabulous and magical. If you don't know the cinematographic techniques of the films (many carefully used by Hitchcoke here) that's fine, but save your words when talking about scenes created by the master of suspense's ingenuity.

[@jonathan130]

@@danilocamus7126 boring 😮‍💨🥱🥱🤓

[@igortrevian5780]

I agree 100%

[@JohnnyTronny19841]

blowing my mind you just did Tristan and now this!!!! I used to listen to this track a long time ago late at night during a heartbreaky time of my life then Melancholia came out LMAOOO great timing, what a way to work through heartbreak lol anyays, both still retain a deep emotional significance to me - definite parallels in "form" between the 2 works Bernard Herrmann is one of my all time favorite composers. Easily.

[@jaegertiger384]

Another STRONG Hitchcock soundtrack is "North by Northwest"

[@ConnorHaArt]

I am BEGGING you to take a look at Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. The way the instrumentation and harmonies compliment the story is incredible

[@anthonyanderson2405]

A brilliant analysis of one of the greatest scenes in American cinema. PS Check out Franz Waxman’s score to THE NUN’S STORY.

[@animaction7351]

Hello, I love your videos, I've learned a lot with them. I wonder, would you please analyse Alexandre Desplat's rise of the guardians score? I've been searching and didn't find any analysis of that one... Thanks! 😊

[@JazzKid-in7cx]

One of my favorite movies! You should do taxi driver soundtrack too, it’s Bernard Herrmann as well

[@jddazzle]

Great channel Charles. What happened to the ear-training/playing by ear course?

[@BixenteFabregas]

This chord change is brilliantly foreshadowed by the "Prelude and Rooftop" in the OSt approximately at 2:35. So, We know what's happening but we don't!

[@Don2Rich]

Thanks for hipping us to this. You're entering the realm of Wayne Shorter. He liked to watch movies and television analyze the music and reimagin the music to it. Anyone who's into scores should chech out Terence Blanchard's Jazz in Film album. It has some great themes from classic films that will lead you to watching them.

[@decoy_gazebo5370]

Fantastic video. A movie that I think the music really makes an impact is Robocop. Specifically the scene where Robocop returns to his old house

[@aredesuyo]

Even though the audience is all in on the gag, the music makes it so that we can still experience what Scotty is experiencing. My mom grew up in the 50s and introduced us to Hitchcock movies (not Psycho though, haha) when I was a kid, and Vertigo ended up really sticking with me from an early age. It's still in the rotation as one of my top favorite movies.

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

For many years the score to Vertigo was in the alevel music syllabus, I really enjoyed teaching it, never got bored of hearing such amazing music year after year… I think you’re gonna get a lot of views for this video from teachers teaching the film music section of the OCR gcse syllabus too! 😂

[@gideonbrase9472]

9:34 the little iTunes icon was feeling it as well (you‘ll see it on F3)

[@miguelgarciagonzalez1255]

In the end it is quite similar to Wagner's liebestod. But not many had the guts to imitate him, I only remember Herrmann here and Mahler at the end of his 2nd symphony.

[@karldaniel5202]

And exactly that IS the source of these magic harmonies

[@Esgelrothion]

I'd love to see your reaction to and analysis of Franz Waxman's score for Sunset Boulevard (the movie, not the musical). It's one of the most brilliant scores, the way each character's leitmotif changes and warps, building to the crescendo of the staircase scene at the end. The score does much of the same sort of heavy emotional lifting in Sunset Boulevard as does the music in this scene. It's utterly brilliant, and the movie itself is one of the best of all time.

[@wrorchestra1]

The infamous shower scene in Psycho wouldn't be anywhere near as good without Herrmann's strings. John Williams' score for the Binary Sunset in A New Hope is what really sells the scene too. Muted, its actually nothing special.

[@altosanon]

Considering Hitchcock didn't want any music in there at first and when he realised he needed it, Hermann had it ready, because he knew he would change his mind.

[@jamessizemore7103]

Hey Charles, I’m kinda new to your channel and idk if it’s in your wheelhouse of the video types you do, but I would love a deep dive into Erroll Garners rendition of penthouse serenade. It’s a super jazzy song

[@olzhic2385]

Can you please do a video with Depeche Mode?

[@katbullar]

Man! I love your videos! Greetings from Germany.

[@philwithnotes]

Amazing choice for a video, Charles!

[@mark4muzik]

SO much Wagner Tristan und Isolde in these harmonic build ups. It is. Amazing.

[@deanm375]

My favorite movie of all time. Even above the original Star Wars films. The first time I saw the film my brain exploded. LOL. Vertigo and Rear Window are the two films I always suggest when introducing younger people to Hitchcock's films. The best of the best. It's no coincidence that James Stewart starred in both films. I believe he was a much greater actor than history regards him.

[@adrianleverkuehn9832]

Yes to everything you wrote.

[@bassavino]

How Herrmann did not get the Oscar for best score is and will always be beyond me.

[@RobertDaria1]

Check out the Ghost and Mrs Muir. Herrmann goes through the entire movie not resolving the chord until the very last note. Showing the captain Mrs Muir are finally together

[@PedroMarques-l2k]

it is also important to denote that this soundtrack also relies heavily on ascending sequences, with building orchestration. This device was, that I know of, mostly used by Tchaikovsky, another master of tension. I would dare to say that the only aspect that this soundtrack has of Wagner is the "Tristan und Isolde" pseudo-resolution, and the rest is taken from Tchaikovsky. I do not know this movie in detail (I have seen it once or twice), I am taking these impressions from what I have just heard.

[@Bangaudaala]

No wonder every girl I met kept saying they started to hear some weird music every time I was around...

[@patriciaaturner289]

Bernard Herrmann was a genius, and a huge influence on more modern film composers such as Williams, Silvestri, and Horner.

[@robertyanal3818]

The score is Wagnerian chromaticism, with a Wagner turn added. The story of Vertigo parallels the original medieval Tristan myth, which has two Isoldes. Vertigo has Madeleine Elster and Judy Barton.

[@tragiclantern]

Please please cover the love theme from Spartacus!!

[@troldhaugen]

Hermann's Vertigo Theme was used at the start of Lady Gaga's Born This Way video.

[@DavidBadilloMusic]

It's the same chord one can hear in Toy Story 3 when 'Lotso Betrays Woody And The Gang' and they are about to fall to their death into the fire but get saved out of nowhere.

[@alrightk]

Please keep up the classic films.

[@mrshamwow87]

Finally fantasy 3 SNES (also known as final fantasy 6) has some of THE BEST soundtracks on a video game you will find, crono trigger was comparable, check it out!!

[@victorgabr]

Chills all over the place. Lol

[@AllenWang-ow4ed]

Do a review of the theme of E.T please.

[@localbod]

Great soundtrack to a wonderful movie. I have always thought that Kim Novak was brilliant.

[@michaelholzmer6479]

This isn't necessarily related to this video's end question, but I would love an analysis of Mad Max: Fury's Road soundtrack. Walhalla Awaits is my favorite track and scene combo, but there are many other bangers within.

[@MoreisMor]

It's not the bell tower; it's the stable, the last place he held and kissed her.

[@hopsiepike]

A motif Hitchcock repeated in Marnie, which is the rejoinder to Vertigo. Stories of possession, the first from the male point of view, the second from the female side.

[@mathieupe666]

Btw it seems the very first chord showed in the extract is a m7b5 .

[@SamuelLime]

5:12 You could have saved that piece of information for later. Since knowing what was going on, I haven't felt anything. HAHA

[@robertjewell9727]

I know you caught yourself saying, Oh, it's not the bell tower... But the place revealed in his memory of San Juan Batista is significant because it's the last place he held and kissed Madeline before she she ran to the bell tower and fell.

[@asauer36]

Will you make any videos about Wicked??

[@creamundi3280]

Please do requiem for a dream. 🙏❤

[@MadailinBurnhope]

I am so here for you to look at more horror soundtracks

[@FrankONeill-v3l]

Dude, I dig your passion for music and soundtracks -- it is INSPIRING such an appreciation in others, like me... I honestly feel like I have a better understanding of stuff after watching your videos and thank you for your erudite analysis and walking us along the trajectory of learning each video brings. F.

[@adrianleverkuehn9832]

Yes! Great videos!

[@javierdelicado8199]

Keith JArret video please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@plootyluvsturtle9843]

YES PLEASE