Bernard Herrmann

Bernard Herrmann was a highly influential American composer and conductor best known for his pioneering work in film music. After beginning his career in radio, Herrmann gained widespread acclaim for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock. His most iconic work is the score for the 1960 thriller Psycho. Due to budget constraints, Herrmann utilized a small string ensemble, employing avant-garde techniques such as dissonant harmonies and non-vibrato playing to create a harsh, unsettling atmosphere. This score became a prototype for the horror film genre, particularly the "slasher" subgenre. Throughout his career, Herrmann also composed for television series like The Twilight Zone and completed his final score in 1975 for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver just before his death.