UNSEALED

The finest work on the Salonen/Herrmann CD is indeed the Psycho suite, a taut and compelling performance. Those who want a reading that is exactly like the film soundtrack will probably not find this to their liking. Those who are willing to hear the music on its own terms in a powerful personal interpretation by Salonen, will not be disappointed. The performance is chilling and gave me goosebumps.

The North by Northwest selection is definitely fast and furious, and Salonen's orchestra is more than up to his breakneck speed.

Salonen's Fahrenheit 451 stands up very well with McNeely's. Salonen's is precise and extremely well played. He, of course, has the advantage of being the music director of the orchestra he is conducting, thus having performed and recorded regularly with his ensemble. Salonen's approach to the music is a bit more "precise/analytical", McNeeley's more "romantic/lyrical" (for lack of better terms).

The Torn Curtain selections are strong, intense, very well played and indeed a personal symphonic approach to this music that works on its own terms. Salonen's interpretation lacks the raw power and frenzied terror of Herrmann's original performance of the cues from the rejected score. Elmer Bernstein comes closer to capturing the ferocity needed for this music.

The Marnie, Taxi Driver and The Man Who Knew Too Much selections are well done and certainly on a par with any performance recorded on other compilation CDs.

The Man Who Knew Too Much
01 Prelude 2:40

Psycho: A Suite For Strings
02 Prelude 2:04
03 The City 1:44
04 The Rainstorm 1:25
05 The Madhouse 2:36
06 The Murder 1:01
07 The Water 1:11
08 The Swamp 2:28
09 The Stairs 1:32
10 The Knife 0:28
11 The Cellar 1:16
12 Finale 1:57

Marnie: Suite
13 I. Prelude 5:13
14 II. The Hunt 5:45

North By Northwest
15 Overture 2:46

Vertigo: Suite
16 I. Prelude 2:58
17 II. The Nightmare 2:08
18 III. Scène D'Amour 6:49

Torn Curtain
19 I. Prelude 2:17
20 II. Gromek 1:54
21 III. The Killing 2:16

Fahrenheit 451: Suite For Strings, Harps, And Percussion
22 Prelude 1:32
23 Fire Engine 1:01
24 The Bedroom 1:39
25 The Reading 2:03
26 The Garden 1:26
27 The Nightmare 1:51
28 Flowers Of Fire 1:43
29 Flamethrower 0:37
30 The Captain's Death 1:00
31 The Road 2:14
32 Finale 2:25

Taxi Driver: A Night-Piece For Orchestra With Obligato Alto Saxophone
33 Prelude 0:54
34 Blues 3:10
35 Night Prowl 0:29
36 Bloodbath 1:27
37 Finale 0:45