Around this time of year, many films can be recognized simply by their spooky scores. Here is a look at some of the all-time best music in Halloween horror movies.
“Psycho”
Bernard Herrmann made history for his contribution to Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous film. The score for “Pyscho,” the 1960 psychological thriller/horror success, is extremely popular and well recognized, and it deserves all its commendations. Stark bursts of strings penetrate the film, coupled with smooth lines of haunting melody, which characterize Norman Bates and his mother. “Psycho’s” violent sounding music has inspired scores for many other horror films through the years. On Oct. 30, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra will present “Symphony at the Movies: Psycho” at Boettcher Concert Hall, where the orchestra plays live to accompany a screening of Hitchcock’s film.
This 1991 film directed by Jonathan Demme has achieved unmatched success in the horror genre and that is partly due to the powerful score. Howard Shore composed an unsettling compilation of chimes and string instruments to create tension in this psychological thriller. While the whole soundtrack is excellent, the title theme is extraordinarily chilling and recognizable.
“Suspiria”
This movie is well regarded in the search for the best horror score. It was directed by Dario Argento in 1977 and features a score composed by the rock band Goblin. The music is intensely creepy, featuring mostly drums and synthesizer but also guitar and piano riffs, spooky voices and even witch screams. The film “Suspiria” premiered a futuristic compilation of music ahead of its time.
“The Fog”
In 1980, John Carpenter directed and wrote the score for the film “The Fog.” It is an ominous and ghostly soundtrack that is both sad and frightening. Carpenter created it in a more minimalist way than his other compositions (“Halloween,” “Escape from L.A.,” “Christine”) with low drones and some piano, but it still stands out as an impressive and haunting film score.
Besides “Jaws” of course—which, regardless of its universally known music, did not make this list due to its dissociation with Halloween–the soundtrack for the 1978 film “Halloween” is the most recognizable of all horror soundtracks. John Carpenter directed and composed this in stark contrast to “The Fog,” and it is his most successful film by far. This is a great example of a score that makes the movie, as it is said that if one were to remove the music from “Halloween,” the film would be ultimately boring and hardly scary at all. The repetitive, spine chilling theme in 10/8 time signature changes the movie entirely.
“Rosemary’s Baby” was released in 1968 with director Roman Polanski. It features a score by Krzysztof Komeda, a Polish jazz pianist, who combines gloominess and optimism, horror and jazz into a thrilling soundtrack. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. Komeda died young, but he is well remembered for this strikingly varied and memorable score.
