Psycho: Suite for string quartet ; Souvenirs de voyage ; Echoes (2011)

Met "Souvenirs de Voyage" dat op 22 mei 2011 wordt uitgevoerd door het Valerius Ensemble in het Enschedese Muziekcentrum. "Remembered as one of the most important 20th century film music composers, Herrmann is saluted by the Tippett Quartet. Echoes (1965), for string quartet, evokes the modal style of Bartók, sustaining a quiet, meditative mood for 2/3 of the piece, until a startling eruption of frightening music breaks the stability and introduces more astringent counterpoint. Souvenir de Voyage (1967) is a clarinet quintet in similar style, and clarinetist Julian Bliss carries much of the work's nostalgic expression in long-breathed melodies in the dark chalumeau register. But the most interesting work is Richard Birchall's string quartet arrangement of the Psycho score, which lends real excitement. The infamous shower scene music is the piece's climax, though the other familiar themes prepare for it, and the listener is held in suspense for the duration of the performance." (Blair Sanderson, Allmusic)