The Ghent Film Festival presents “Maestros of Suspense” at Music Centre
De Bijloke on Wednesday 12 October at 8 p.m. This thrilling concert features film
music by Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman, who are both inextricably linked
with the iconic Alfred Hitchcock, but managed to put the “thrill” in thrillers even
without his input.
The programme includes, among other pieces, Herrmann’s music for Psycho,
Vertigo and Taxi Driver, as well as Waxman’s music for Rebecca, Rear Window
and Sunset Boulevard. The works will be performed by the National Orchestra
of Belgium, conducted by Dirk Brossé. Scenes from these exciting classics will
be projected on a big screen. Suspense guaranteed!
The shrieking strings accompanying the chilling shower murder in Psycho are
just as well-known as the scene itself. Initially, director Alfred Hitchcock had
decided against background music during what would become the most
famous film murder of all time, but for once the undisputed “master of
suspense” had to give in to composer Bernard Herrmann. The latter was proven
right and film history was written.
Hitchcock had an unrivalled ability to create suspense, and he was well aware
of the role that music plays in this process. It comes as no surprise that
Herrmann was one of Hitchcock’s favourite composers. He wrote scores for
The Trouble With Harry (1955), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956),
The Wrong Man (1956), Vertigo (1958), North By Northwest (1959),
Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964).
German composer Franz Waxman was also on the same wavelength as master
manipulator Hitchcock. They made a strong team, joining forces for the
soundtracks of Rebecca (1940), Suspicion (1941), The Paradine Case (1947)
and Rear Window (1954), which prove that Waxman was not averse to a good
dose of suspense.
Tickets for this concert cost 15 and 30 euros
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