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Donald Macleod's exploration of the life and work of Bernard Herrmann concludes with a look at the contradictory aspects of the composer's complex personality.

Herrmann was as complex as any of the characters in the films he wrote music for. His life was full of contradictions and tensions that were never fully resolved. He could be paranoid, irascible, abrasive and volatile but he remained a romantic at heart. He could also be generous and compassionate but as a perfectionist in his chosen art was perhaps doomed never to be satisfied.

Twisted Nerve
Uncredited performers
A band apart/Maverick Wing soundtrack 9362-48588-2

Scherzo (Symphony No 1)
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Herrmann (conductor)
UKCD 2063 Trs 2

Fahrenheit 451
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Herrmann (conductor)
London 443 899-2 Trs 18-22

Souvenirs de Voyage for clarinet and strings (1st mvt)
David Schifrin (clarinet)
Walter Trampler, Paul Neubauer (violas)
Hamilton Cheifetz, Warren Lash (cellos)
Delos DE 3088 Tr 1

Scenes from Taxi Driver: Thank God for the Rain; Cleaning the Cab; I still can't sleep/They cannot touch her (Betsy's Theme)
Arista 07822 190052 Trs 2, 3, 4

The Sea: The Lagoon; Descending; The Octopus: Homecoming (Beneath the 12-Mile Reef)
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Charles Gerhardt (conductor)
BMG RCA Victor GD 80707 Trs 6, 7, 8.