"Herrmann via Joel McNeely by Varese Sarabande"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 10/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again, Varese Sarabande and Joel McNeely prove lightening does strike twice with this superb release - "Fahrenheit 451", featuring the Seattle Symphony Orchestra exquistely performing legendary icon Bernard Herrmann's brilliant music.Orchestrated for strings, harp, and percussion the impressonistic "PRELUDE" sets the mood in creating an ambivalence about Britain's new order..."FIRE ENGINE" is the rhythm blend of percussion, full scale orchestra..."THE BEDROOM" waltzing strings with mournful tones, simply haunting..."THE READING", Herrmann in the purist sense, strings move in and out of octaves, awesome beyond words..."FLOWERS OF FIRE" undercurrent themes, never settling in one place, but movement constant movement, wonderful effect..."FLAMETHROWER" endless descent, strings interwoven with brass and resounding percussion..."THE ROAD" this compassionate composition, which Herrmann described as a "song of humanity", haunting but enchanting at the same time...believe our legendary composer was still at his peak, when composing this score.The balance of this album - "THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT", "TENDER IS THE NIGHT", "THE GHOST AND MRS MUIR" and "ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM", no matter the subject, Herrmann created another dimension, mystique and understanding of the story-line, which the listener could rely...Herrmann always came through with flying colors...thank you Varese Sarabande for pointing this out with this definitive album!Total Time: 34:18 on 17 Tracks...Varese Sarabande-5551...(1995)"