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Herrmann at Fox Box: A Surprising Sell-Out

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When Varese Sarabande announced their last release of the year to be "a whopper," they weren't kidding. What's more surprising, though, is the reception it received.

Bernard Herrmann at 20th Century-Fox continues the label's yearlong celebration of his life and work in what would have been his centennial year. (Compilations from his television work with Alfred Hitchcock and and expanded version of his co-written score to The Egyptian were other Varese sets honoring the composer this year.) Eighteen scores on 14 discs are inside the box, spanning nearly two decades and including some previously unreleased gems as well. From 1943's Jane Eyre to 1962's Tender is the Night and including some classics of contemporary cinema (The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit), there's a lot to pore over.

What makes this box so surprising, then? Since its announcement Monday, the set is likely within hours (if not less) of selling out its entire 1,000-unit pressing. Even at $199.98 for such a lavish box with a 108-page hardcover book of liner notes, that's impressive - so much so that we're running this post before we've finished our track annotations just so anyone who hasn't seen the news can pick one up before it's too late. So stop reading and start buying!

(Note: * denotes previously unreleased track.)

Bernard Herrmann at 20th Century-Fox (Varese Sarabande VCL 1211 1128, 2011)

Disc 1: Jane Eyre

  1. Prelude
  2. Jane's Departure
  3. Jane Alone *
  4. Dreaming *
  5. Vanity *
  6. Elegy/Jane's Sorrow
  7. Time Passage *
  8. The Letter *
  9. Thornfield Hall
  10. Valse Bluette/Adele *
  11. Rochester *
  12. The Piano
  13. Promenade *
  14. Rochester's Past
  15. The Fire
  16. Duo *
  17. The Door *
  18. Springtime *
  19. Mr. Mason
  20. The Room *
  21. The Rattle *
  22. The Garden
  23. Farewell *
  24. Jane's Confession *
  25. The Storm
  26. The Wedding
  27. The Life *
  28. Jane's Farewell
  29. The Letter Burns *
  30. Jane's Return
  31. Finale
  32. Prelude (Alternate) *

Portions of Disc 1 previously released on Fox Music 07822 11006-2, 1993.

Disc 2: Anna and the King of Siam

  1. Prelude
  2. The Kralahome
  3. The Street
  4. Siam
  5. Wait
  6. The Almanac
  7. The King
  8. The Harem
  9. The Children
  10. The Teacher
  11. The Courtyard
  12. Anger
  13. Fish Market
  14. The First Lesson
  15. Pandemonium
  16. Tuptim
  17. Lost Cambodia
  18. The Abduction
  19. The Letters
  20. Lady Thiang
  21. 2:00 A.M.
  22. 3:00 A.M.
  23. Tuptim's Slave
  24. The Pomegranate
  25. The Dresses
  26. The Hall of Women
  27. 4:00 A.M.
  28. The Golden Goblets
  29. The Ladies
  30. The Reception
  31. The Banquet
  32. The Gift
  33. Suspense
  34. The Dungeon
  35. The Second Dinner
  36. Cruelty
  37. The Stake
  38. The Offering
  39. The Legend of the Panels
  40. The Fall
  41. Sorrow
  42. Consolation
  43. Montage
  44. The Last Call
  45. Elegy
  46. Memories
  47. The Coronation
  48. Chant #1
  49. Chant #2
  50. Anger (Four Takes)
  51. Home Sweet Home

Disc 2 previously released as Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 091-2, 2000

Disc 3: The Ghost & Mrs. Muir

  1. Prelude
  2. Local Train
  3. The Sea
  4. The Painting
  5. The Bedroom
  6. Exit
  7. Outside
  8. The Ghost
  9. The Storm
  10. Evocation *
  11. The Apparition
  12. About Ships
  13. The Lights *
  14. Bedtime
  15. Anger *
  16. Poetry
  17. The In-Laws
  18. Pranks
  19. Lucia
  20. Dictation
  21. Boyhood's End
  22. Pastoral
  23. Seamen *
  24. Nocturne
  25. London
  26. The Reading
  27. Second Local Train *
  28. The Spring Sea
  29. Consolation *
  30. Question
  31. Romance
  32. Love
  33. Farewell
  34. The Home
  35. Sorrow
  36. The Empty Room
  37. The Passing Years
  38. Andante Cantabile
  39. The Late Sea
  40. Forever
  41. The Sea (Alternate) *
  42. The Painting (Alternate) *
  43. Evocation (Alternate) *
  44. Poetry (Alternate) *
  45. The In-Laws (Alternate) *
  46. Seamen (Alternate) *
  47. Exit (Alternate -- Two Takes) *

Portions of Disc 3 previously released as Varese Sarabande VSD-5850, 1997.

Disc 4: The Day the Earth Stood Still

  1. Prelude/Outer Space/Radar
  2. Danger
  3. Klaatu
  4. Gort/The Visor and The Ray/The Telescope
  5. Escape
  6. Arlington
  7. Lincoln Memorial
  8. Nocturne/The Flashlight/The Robot/Space Control
  9. The Elevator/The Magnetic Pull/The Study/The Conference/The Jeweler
  10. Panic
  11. The Glowing/Alone/Gort's Rage/Nikto/Captive/Terror
  12. The Prison
  13. Rebirth
  14. Departure
  15. Farewell
  16. Finale
  17. Solar Diamonds I and II (Unused)
  18. Outer Space (Without Theremin Track) *
  19. The Magnetic Pull (Without Overlays) *
  20. The Visor and The Ray (Separated Elements) *
  21. Discrete Theremin Tracks *
  22. Studio Rehearsals & Studio Outtakes *

Portions of Disc 4 released as 20th Century-Fox Film Scores 07822 11010-2, 1993.

Disc 5: 5 Fingers / Hangover Square *

  1. Prelude
  2. Cicero
  3. The Embassy
  4. The Film
  5. The Old Street
  6. German Embassy/Berlin
  7. The Safe
  8. Dreams
  9. Five Weeks
  10. The Trap/The House
  11. Romance
  12. Departure
  13. Alone
  14. The Chairwoman
  15. Escape
  16. The Pursuit
  17. The Boat
  18. Rio
  19. Finale
  20. Concerto Macabre
  21. Murder and Fire
  22. The Spell
  23. The Murder
  24. The Bonfire
  25. Concerto Macabre: First Movement
  26. Concerto Macabre: Second Movement
  27. Coda

Tracks 1-19 from 5 Fingers. Tracks 20-27 from Hangover Square.

Disc 6: The Snows of Kilimanjaro *

  1. Overture
  2. The Buzzards
  3. The Lake
  4. The Jungle
  5. The Tent
  6. Nocturne
  7. The Memory Waltz
  8. Sunrise
  9. Adagietto
  10. The Silence
  11. The Fall
  12. Sorrow
  13. The Awakening
  14. Siesta
  15. First Barcarolle
  16. Second Barcarolle
  17. Interlude #1
  18. Interlude #2
  19. The Letter
  20. Departure
  21. Madrid
  22. The Farewell
  23. The River
  24. The Hyena
  25. Helen
  26. Witch Doctor
  27. The Death Watch
  28. Panic
  29. Finale
  30. The Memory Waltz (Alternate)

Disc 7: A Hatful of Rain / White Witch Doctor

  1. Prelude (Revised)
  2. The Car/The Street
  3. The Gun
  4. The Closet
  5. The Search
  6. The Sidewalk
  7. The Hold-Up
  8. The Cafeteria
  9. The Office
  10. The Playground
  11. The Window
  12. The Pawnshop
  13. Homecoming
  14. The Bridge
  15. The Return
  16. Finale
  17. Prelude *
  18. The Necklace *
  19. The Question *
  20. Petticoat Dance *
  21. The Village *
  22. The Hut *
  23. The Operation *
  24. The Leopard *
  25. Goodnight/The Safari *
  26. Elegy *
  27. The Birth *
  28. Little Mama *
  29. Defiance/Bakuba Boy *
  30. Nocturne *
  31. The Abduction *
  32. The Shinbeck *
  33. Bakuba Country *
  34. The Skulls *
  35. Morning *
  36. The King *
  37. The Past *
  38. Departure *
  39. The Camp *
  40. Jacques *
  41. The Three Doctors *
  42. The Camp #2 *
  43. Thirty Seconds *
  44. The Fight *
  45. Terror/Recovery/The Finale *
  46. Prelude (Original Version) *
  47. The Closet (Alternate) *
  48. Goodnight (Three Takes) *

Tracks 1-16 and 46-47 from A Hatful of Rain. Tracks 17-45 and 48 from White Witch Doctor. Portions of Tracks 1-16 previously released on Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 052-2, 1999.

Disc 8: Beneath the 12-Mile Reef

  1. Prelude
  2. The Undersea
  3. The Boat
  4. The Homecoming
  5. The Reef
  6. The Glades
  7. The Quiet Sea
  8. The Airline
  9. The Conch Boat
  10. The Harbor
  11. The Search
  12. Flirtation
  13. The Departure
  14. The Marker
  15. The Undersea Forest
  16. Elegy
  17. The Fire
  18. Sorrow
  19. The Dock
  20. Escape
  21. The Lagoon
  22. Consolation
  23. The Grave
  24. The New Boat/The Buoy
  25. Descending
  26. The Sea Garden
  27. The Octopus
  28. The Hookboat
  29. The Fight
  30. Finale

Disc 8 previously released as Film Score Monthly Vol. 3, No. 10, 2001.

Disc 9: The Egyptian

  1. Prelude
  2. The Ruins
  3. The Red Sea and Childhood
  4. The Nile and The Temple
  5. The Chariot Ride/Pursuit
  6. Taia
  7. Party's End
  8. Nefer Nefer Nefer
  9. The Offering
  10. The Harp Player
  11. The Bracelet and The Helmet
  12. The Rebuke
  13. The Deed
  14. The Harp and Couch
  15. The Perfection of Love
  16. Violence
  17. The House of the Dead
  18. The Burial
  19. The Homecoming
  20. Nefer's Farewell
  21. The Princess
  22. The True Pharaoh
  23. The Tomb
  24. The Proof/The Holy War
  25. Danse Macabre
  26. The Death Potion
  27. Danse Macabre (Alternate)
  28. The Nile and The Temple (Alternate)

Contents of Disc 9 previously released on Varese Sarabande VCL 0711 1123, 2011.

Disc 10: Garden of Evil

  1. Prelude/Siesta
  2. The Cliffs
  3. The Chasm and The Valley
  4. Leah *
  5. The Stone Arrow *
  6. The Hooker
  7. The Mission
  8. The Circle
  9. The Church *
  10. Nocturne
  11. The Quarrel
  12. Aftermath *
  13. The Wooden Cross
  14. The Mine
  15. Unused *
  16. The Feather
  17. The Shrine *
  18. The Smoke Signals *
  19. The Revelers *
  20. The Wild Party
  21. Lean's Vigil *
  22. Fuller's Devotion
  23. The Departure *
  24. The Indian *
  25. Fuller's Plan
  26. The Apache *
  27. Daly's Death *
  28. Fuller's Death
  29. Night Scene
  30. The High Rocks *
  31. The Chase
  32. The Cards
  33. The Ridge
  34. The Return
  35. The Sharpshooter
  36. Finale
  37. La Negra Noche (Me-Mue)
  38. Aqui *

Portions of Disc 10 released on Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 053-2, 1999.

Disc 11: King of the Khyber Rifles / Blue Denim

  1. Prelude
  2. The Pass
  3. The Locket *
  4. The Holy Man *
  5. Valse Lent *
  6. Dance and Air *
  7. The Hammer of God *
  8. The Ruins
  9. The Storm
  10. The Dunes
  11. Meditation *
  12. The Sentries *
  13. The Message *
  14. The Letter *
  15. Nocturne
  16. The Mirror *
  17. The Courier *
  18. The Khan's Rage *
  19. The Knife *
  20. The Awakening *
  21. The Trail *
  22. The Night Watch *
  23. The Fight *
  24. The Return (Finale) *
  25. Prelude/The Boy
  26. The Playroom
  27. The Girl
  28. The Letter/First Embrace
  29. Adoration
  30. Proposal/The Compact/Confession
  31. Consolation/The Question
  32. The Dress/Shame
  33. The Arrival/The Bank
  34. The Window/The Summons
  35. Farewell
  36. Fury and Grief/The Breakdown
  37. The Chase
  38. Sleep/The Decision
  39. Finale

Tracks 1-24 from King of the Khyber Rifles. Tracks 25-39 from Blue Denim. Portions of Tracks 1-24 released on Varese Sarabande 302 066 053-2, 1999. Tracks 26-39 released on Film Score Monthly Vol. 4, No. 15, 2001.

Disc 12: Prince of Players / The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit

  1. Prelude
  2. The Boy *
  3. King Lear "Storm" Scene *
  4. The Closet
  5. Homecoming
  6. The Tour *
  7. The Dressing Room
  8. The Tempest *
  9. The Camp *
  10. The Dawn
  11. Edwin's Tour *
  12. Mary/Exit *
  13. The Warning *
  14. Confession
  15. John Brown
  16. Hamlet Sequence *
  17. Lullaby *
  18. Interlude *
  19. The Camp #2 *
  20. The Package *
  21. The Traitor *
  22. Illness *
  23. The Letter *
  24. Mary's Death *
  25. The Shroud *
  26. The Grave *
  27. Murder *
  28. The Newspaper *
  29. Finale *
  30. Prelude
  31. The Children's Hour
  32. The Coat
  33. The Killing/Rome *
  34. Maria
  35. Maria's Room
  36. The Rain *
  37. Farewell *
  38. The Clock *
  39. Biography *
  40. Daydreams *
  41. Hopkins' Promise *
  42. Duo *
  43. The New House *
  44. Susan's Rage *
  45. Honesty *
  46. Tomorrow *
  47. The Letter *
  48. Breakdown *
  49. Ordeal *
  50. The Morning *
  51. Finale
  52. "I Feel Like Dancing" (Source)

Tracks 1-29 from Prince of Players. Tracks 30-52 from The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit. Tracks 1, 4-5, 7, 10 and 14-15 released on Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 053-2, 1999. Tracks 30-32, 34-35 and 51 released on Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 052-2, 1999.

Disc 13: Journey to the Center of the Earth

  1. Prelude
  2. The Lovers *
  3. "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose"
  4. The Explosion
  5. The Message
  6. Duo *
  7. The Ladder *
  8. The Mountain/"My Heart's in the Highlands"
  9. The Mountain Slopes *
  10. The Abduction
  11. The Count and The Groom
  12. The Mountain Top/Sunrise
  13. The Rope/The Torch/The Entrance/"March"
  14. The Count Arnes/Saint Giles *
  15. The Sign/Sleep
  16. False Arrows/The Fall
  17. The Grotto/"Twice as Tall"
  18. Lost/The Bridge/Gas Cave
  19. The Vines
  20. Salt Slides
  21. The Pool
  22. The Spear/Dead Groom/The Gun
  23. The Canyon/The Cave Glow
  24. Mushroom Forest/"March"/The Lizard
  25. Underworld Ocean/Dimetrodon's Attack
  26. The Snow/"The Faithful Heart"
  27. Magnetic Storm / Whirlpool
  28. The Beach
  29. The Duck
  30. The Count's Death
  31. Lost City/Atlantis (3:49)
  32. Giant Chameleon/The Fight
  33. The Earthquake/The Shaft
  34. Finale
  35. The Abduction (Alternate) *
  36. "Twice as Tall" (Short Version) *

Portions of Disc 13 released as Varese Sarabande VSD-5849, 1997.

Disc 14: Tender is the Night

  1. "Tender is the Night" (Main Title)
  2. The Beach
  3. Breakdown
  4. The Mirror
  5. Dawn
  6. The Study *
  7. The Walk
  8. The Closing Door
  9. The Lake
  10. Vacation
  11. Embrace
  12. Honeymoon
  13. The New Year
  14. The Table/The Quarrel *
  15. The Train/Farewell *
  16. The Return/The Child *
  17. The Question *
  18. The Elegy
  19. The Thunder
  20. Franz's Exit/Rome *
  21. The Drink/Newspaper *
  22. Regrets
  23. The Surfboard *
  24. The Porthole *
  25. "Tender is the Night" (Finale)
  26. "Tender is the Night" (Main Title) (Orchestra Only) *
  27. The New Year (Alternate) *
  28. "Tender is the Night" (Main Title) (Alternate) *

Tracks 1-5, 7-13, 18-19, 22 and 25 previously released on Varese Sarabande VSD 302 066 052-2, 1999.

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Mike Duquette

Mike Duquette (Founder) was fascinated with catalog music ever since he was a teenager. A 2009 graduate of Seton Hall University with a B.A. in journalism, Mike paired his profession with his passion through The Second Disc, one of the first sites to focus on all reissue labels great and small. His passion for reissues turned into a career, holding positions at Legacy Recordings and Rhino Records and contributing to Allmusic, Discogs, City Pages, Ultimate Classic Rock and Mondo Records, for whom he penned liner notes for his favorite piece of music: John Williams' Oscar-winning score to 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.' Born and raised in New Jersey, Mike lives in Astoria, Queens with his wife, a cat named Ravioli, twin daughters and a large yet tasteful collection of music.

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Comments

  2. Just learned about this, here in the UK, and the thing is already sold out.

    The Yanks have bought up the shop.

    I'm a huge Herrmann fan - so what can I do?

    Reply

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