Cape Fear

Music by Bernard Herrmann

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the remake of Cape Fear (1962) made in 1991, director Martin Scorsese commissioned Elmer Bernstein to work on a new record of original music of Bernard Herrmann.

In a visibly consequent work of Psycho score, with alternating high and low strings passages, Herrmann created in Cape Fear another of his incomparable sound nightmares. Bernstein new recording not added much musically, and the edition works more as a updating sound register of the original Cape Fear. Instrumentation and arrangements were kept almost intact. The score basically uses a string group confined to a minimum of moving space. An exercise in sound claustrophobia. In an efficient showcase of suspense effects deserves mention Frightened Sam (clear music after-Psycho) with climatic phrases circulating as a cornered animal. Also of mention Kersek Killed and Max. In other passages as Houseboat and The Fight percussion and horns are added for more movement and motifs conflict. Curiously the psychological and physical expansion that Scorsese added to the classic suspense of J. Lee Thompson did not need musical update: the score of Bernard Herrmann remains intact in its frightening efficiency.