Bernard Herrmann’s final major film score, and arguably one of his most enduring legacies, was for Martin Scorsese’s groundbreaking 1976 film, Taxi Driver. It’s a stark, emotionally resonant work that cemented Herrmann’s position as a cinematic titan, tragically concluding his career on a profound and unforgettable note.
The Sound of Urban Decay: Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver paints a brutal portrait of Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran struggling with isolation and moral decay in the post-war New York City. Herrmann’s score perfectly embodies Travis’s internal turmoil and the city’s gritty atmosphere. Unlike many of his earlier, more traditionally romantic scores, Taxi Driver leans heavily on dissonant harmonies, evocative melodies, and unconventional instrumentation to create a palpable sense of unease and alienation. The pervasive saxophone melodies, alternating between melancholic longing and unsettling tension, are now synonymous with the film’s themes. It is important to consider the fact that Herrmann died suddenly, just hours after completing the scoring sessions.
A Departure From the Past
While Herrmann was renowned for his lush, romantic scores for films like Vertigo and North by Northwest, Taxi Driver represents a significant departure. The score’s minimalist approach, characterized by its repetitive motifs and somber atmosphere, reflects the protagonist’s fragmented psyche and the city’s urban decay. This was not a case of Herrmann simply churning out another score; it was a considered artistic choice reflective of the movie’s core.
The Significance of the Score
The score’s brilliance lies in its ability to enhance the film’s psychological depth. It’s not just background music; it’s a vital component of the storytelling, amplifying Travis’s internal struggles and the city’s oppressive presence. The score’s haunting beauty juxtaposed with the film’s violence makes the impact even more profound. He achieved this by focusing on specific instrumental voicings, like the high strings or low brass, to create a feeling of impending doom.
Unpacking the FAQs: A Deeper Dive into Herrmann’s Last Masterpiece
Here are some frequently asked questions that shed further light on Bernard Herrmann’s final, major film score and its enduring impact:
FAQ 1: What instruments are prominently featured in the Taxi Driver score?
The Taxi Driver score prominently features the alto saxophone, strings, particularly violins and violas, harp, tympani, and low brass. Herrmann deliberately used a smaller orchestra than he typically employed, focusing on specific instrumental textures to achieve the desired atmosphere of isolation and unease. The sax becomes the voice of Travis, a soulful and pained cry.
FAQ 2: How did Martin Scorsese influence the Taxi Driver score?
Scorsese provided Herrmann with a rough cut of the film and discussed his vision for the narrative. Scorsese wanted the score to capture the sense of urban alienation and Travis’s growing detachment from reality. Herrmann understood Scorsese’s vision perfectly and delivered a score that exceeded expectations. In fact, Scorsese dedicated the film to Herrmann after his death.
FAQ 3: Was Taxi Driver Herrmann’s actual final film score?
While Taxi Driver is considered Herrmann’s final major film score and was released posthumously, his last scoring work was actually for Larry Cohen’s It’s Alive!, released in 1974, two years before Taxi Driver. However, Herrmann was unhappy with the final cut of It’s Alive! and reportedly requested his name be removed from the credits, though the score still appears.
FAQ 4: How does the Taxi Driver score reflect Travis Bickle’s mental state?
The score reflects Travis’s fragmented psyche through its dissonant harmonies, repetitive motifs, and abrupt shifts in mood. The unsettling melodies mirror his growing paranoia and descent into violence. The score’s overall sense of unease and isolation directly reflects Travis’s internal struggles.
FAQ 5: What makes the Taxi Driver score so different from Herrmann’s earlier work?
Herrmann’s earlier scores often featured lush, romantic orchestration and sweeping melodies. Taxi Driver, in contrast, is more minimalist and dissonant. It relies heavily on specific instrumental textures and repetitive motifs to create a sense of unease and alienation, reflecting the film’s dark and gritty themes. This change reflected his willingness to experiment with different musical styles.
FAQ 6: How did Herrmann’s previous work influence the Taxi Driver score?
While Taxi Driver is stylistically different, Herrmann’s expertise in creating atmosphere and tension, honed through his work on films like Psycho and Vertigo, is still evident. His mastery of orchestration and his ability to use music to enhance psychological depth remain hallmarks of his work. His knowledge of classical form combined with his ability to use jazz elements provided a unique sound that no one else could achieve.
FAQ 7: What impact did the Taxi Driver score have on other film composers?
The Taxi Driver score has had a significant impact on subsequent generations of film composers. Its innovative use of dissonance, its minimalist approach, and its ability to convey psychological depth have inspired countless composers to explore new sonic territories. The score is cited by many as a turning point in film scoring history, proving the power of music to create and sustain tension without using the “shock” tactics that were becoming so prominent.
FAQ 8: Where can I listen to the Taxi Driver score?
The Taxi Driver score is widely available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Physical copies of the soundtrack are also available for purchase online and in record stores. There are also numerous YouTube uploads, but these may vary in quality.
FAQ 9: Are there any notable recordings or arrangements of the Taxi Driver score beyond the original soundtrack?
While the original soundtrack remains the definitive version, there are various orchestral suites and arrangements of the Taxi Driver score that have been performed and recorded by orchestras around the world. These arrangements often highlight different aspects of the score and offer a fresh perspective on Herrmann’s masterpiece.
FAQ 10: What awards and recognition did the Taxi Driver score receive?
Taxi Driver earned Bernard Herrmann a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. He also won a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music. These accolades cemented the score’s place as one of the greatest in film history.
FAQ 11: How did Bernard Herrmann’s death affect the film’s legacy?
Herrmann’s sudden death, occurring just hours after finishing the Taxi Driver score, tragically cemented his legacy as a cinematic giant. The film’s dedication to him served as a powerful tribute to his contributions and ensured that his final masterpiece would be remembered alongside his other iconic scores.
FAQ 12: How can a budding film composer learn from the Taxi Driver score?
Budding film composers can learn invaluable lessons from the Taxi Driver score by studying its use of dissonance, its minimalist approach, and its ability to convey psychological depth. Analyzing the score’s orchestration, melodic development, and harmonic language can provide valuable insights into the art of film scoring. The score proves that less is more and that music can be a character within the film itself, speaking directly to the hearts and minds of the audience.
A Lasting Legacy
Bernard Herrmann’s score for Taxi Driver is more than just a soundtrack; it’s a vital component of the film’s narrative and a testament to his genius. It stands as a powerful and enduring legacy, showcasing his ability to use music to create atmosphere, enhance psychological depth, and tell compelling stories. It remains a staple in film schools across the globe and continues to resonate with audiences today. The haunting melodies and unsettling harmonies serve as a reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of urban life, and the genius of a composer who understood how to tap into those emotions with such profound effect.