Bernard Herrmann

Bernard Herrmann (June 29, 1911 – December 24, 1975) was a composer, best known for his film scores, particularly for those directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He wrote the scores for Citizen Kane

Bernard Herrmann (June 29, 1911 – December 24, 1975) was a composer, best known for his film scores, particularly for those directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He wrote the scores for Citizen Kane, Cape Fear and Taxi Driver as well as for the original radio broadcast of Orson Welles' The War of the Worlds. He also wrote scores for television programs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest film composers of all time.

Herrmann was born in New York City. His father encouraged musical activity, taking him to the opera, and encouraging him to learn the violin. After winning a $100 composition prize at the age of thirteen, he decided to concentrate on music, and went to New York University where he studied with Percy Grainger. He also studied at the Juilliard School and, at the age of twenty, formed his own orchestra, The New Chamber Orchestra of New York.