Herrmann, Psycho, Prelude Flashcards
When was Psycho made?
What type of film was Psycho?
1960
Horror
Who made Psycho?
When did they become a composer?
Alfred Hitchcock
When he met Orson Welles
Why were only strings used in Psycho?
Innovative cost cuts
Matched black & white screen
(sonority)
Divisi meaning in Psycho
Divide instrument sections into multiple sections (8)
used often
What deadens/muffles the sound in Psycho?
Mute for most of score
Had previously been unused for a long time
How was Herrmann specific about bowing?
Down bowing on open staccato notes as more dramatic
Shower scene - stabbing visuals mimicked in music
(sonority)
How is pitz used in Prelude?
Bar 31
Violin 2
Muted
Repeating two notes (like jaws)
(sonority)
What does sol ponticello mean?
Play as close to bridge as possible
Scratchy
(sonority)
Describe the use of gliss
Murder scene
High notes & down bows = stabbing rhythm
(sonority)
Describe the use of vibrato
None in cellar scene
Cold & inexpressive sound
(sonority)
What playing techniques does the Psycho music use?
Pizz
Sol ponticello
Tremolando
Gliss
No vibrato
Phrase of chromatic tremolo & sol ponticello
(sonority)
What is the feeling/mood of the Prelude?
Unsettled
What is the purpose of the Prelude?
Introduces 4 short motifs/ostinatos
What is non-functional harmony?
Chords form moods rather than serve a purpose
Don’t fit tension & release cycle
(harmony)
Describe the texture
Homorhythm: similar movement of different parts
Homophonic
(texture)
