If you have seen the movie "Psycho," you have heard much of this music. Bernard Herrmann wrote that score, but it was changed for use in the film. This recording showcases the way he intended it to be done. Personally, I think it gets a little long in places, but your mileage may vary. One comment I need to make is that unfortunately there is some tape hiss that is quite audible on some of the subtler parts of this. It's not a huge deal, but it is definitely noticeable at times. I would also preface my track reviews by saying that, first, I'm not a classical reviewer, and this is classical music. Secondly, as many times as I have seen that film, it's hard for me to completely remove the music from the movie, so memories of the classic work have probably colored my feelings on the various tracks. No matter how you slice it, though (see what I did there?) this release is worthwhile. You might say it's a cut above the rest. Okay, I need to stop.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024  Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.

Quieter, and much more restful there is both a sadness and a sense of wonder to this. It almost has a "world waking up" sort of vibe to me.

In some ways, this feels like it expands on some of the elements of the previous track. There is definitely a sense of foreboding here.

This starts with the same themes that opened the suite. They seem more intense and insistent here, though. It reaches a peak and then drops back to a much more sedate zone to continue. The familiar themes return after a journey into decidedly mellow territory.

A bit on the mellower end as it gets going, this has familiar themes and vibes. It also has a subtle sense of impending doom.

This piece is somewhat sedate, but also menacing. It's pretty freaky in some ways.

There is a real sense of doom here. This works from being on the mellower side to gradually become more intense.

Some familiar themes return as this gets going. The most famous theme from the soundtrack returns for the murder section.

With both variants on familiar themes and new ones, this piece has a lot of dread and emotion to it. It does feel very much like the aftermath of something in a lot of ways.

While this is not hugely different from what has come before, it does carry some additional flavors.

I like the almost dark fantasy feel to some of this a lot. It's slow moving, dramatic and very intriguing. When the main theme comes back near the end, it feels sharper and really does seem like a knife repeatedly stabbing.

More returning themes in new forms bring this into being. Mellower modes are on the menu here. This has some unfamiliar stuff in addition to the reprised music. There is a real sense of dread here.

While much of this is on the mellower side, there is some dramatic building later along the road. It turns much louder and menacing later. Dark, dangerous swirling patterns emerge at the end of the piece.

Variants on the themes bring this to a satisfying conclusion.