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.