Sociology 2 Assignment: Music of Vertigo and Citizen Kane Analysis

This essay provides a detailed analysis of the musical scores in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and Orson Welles' Citizen Kane. It explores the use of musical techniques such as ostinato in Vertigo, examining how composer Bernard Herrmann creates suspense and reflects the protagonist's emotional state. The essay also dissects Herrmann's work in Citizen Kane, focusing on how the music complements the narrative and portrays the changing dynamics of relationships within the film. Through specific examples and scene analysis, the essay highlights the crucial role of music in enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact of these iconic movies.

Unniversity
Music Assignment
Understanding of the Music of Vertigo and Citizen Kane
Student Credentials
4/21/2020

Sociology 1
Vertigo
Question 1:
Ostinato refers to a particular phrase that is used again and again in a song and in similar
musical voice or pattern to draw attention to a particular situation or scenario that the
composer wants the audience to notice (Blim).
Use of Ostinato in Vertigo by Herrmann has had an effect on the viewer’s such that it spirals
around just like the situations depicted in the scene of the movie and helps the audience to
understand the scene better since it depicts obsession clearly and spirals around particular
situations only (Classic fm).
The producer as well as director of the infamous movie, Vertigo which was released in 1958
was, Alfred Hitchcock. This movie is categorised as the American Film noir Psychological
Thriller film. Hitchcock was known as the master of suspense due to his work as a detailed
and influential individual by directing more than 50 movies. He has been thoroughly and
extensively studied by the filmmakers in the cinema industry.
Bernard Herrmann was the composer for the movie Vertigo. Born in 1911, Herrmann was
famous for his unique approach to music. Repetitive sentences, utilizing parodies of past
style, static collection of chords and even instead of using long and extensive melodies,
keeping it concise and repetitive were his signature marks. When initially he started working,
he was not recognised as the one with the wow factor, but throughout the years he improved
as well as kept his uniqueness as well.
Question 2:
In the clip, “Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958)" when seen without sound, seems as if there is an
individual trying to spy on a woman, while when the clip is watched again with sound, it

Sociology 2
seems that the individual who is spying on the woman is quite disappointed to find that she
has been seeing another individual and she left with the other person as well (SCS75).
Question 3:
Hermann’s music in the scene, where Judy becomes Madeleine depicts the emotional state of
the male protagonist as his disappointment that he suffered when Judy left the room turns into
excitement and happiness when the female protagonist enters the room and he kisses the
female protagonist (Movie Clips).
Citizen Kane
Question 5:
The Director of the movie, Citizen Kane was Orson Welles. It was his first ever feature film.
This movie was considered as one of the greatest movies ever made by the critics, despite the
fact that it did not do much on the box office. Welles played various roles in this movie apart
from being the director, by starring as Charles Foster Kane as well as co –authoring the
screenplay as well as producing on his own (IMDB).
In citizen Kane, Bernard Herrmann was the composer of the music. He had a very different
style of hooking the audience to his work. Despite his amazing work, he is quite well-known
for his work in Vertigo (1958).
0:30-1:17
During this time, the couple just began their married life and the music portrays all the happy
yet mysterious vibe of ‘what might happen in future’ in the music.
1:18-2:00

Sociology 3
During this time, the combination of the music as well as the dialogue depicts the usual
bickering of a couple in a fun way where the woman is trying to state her opinions while the
man is being adamant and expressing his thoughts.
2:00-2:39
During this time period, the dialogues as well as the music have worked in synchronization
and both depict the fight becoming serious that the previous small bickering between the
couple where the dominance of the male protagonist is quite evident. By the end, the music
seems to be relaxed and shows that both the individuals have nothing much to say to each
other, since, it has been years and an eye contact can convey a lot more than the words can
(Morgan).

Sociology 4
Bibliography
Blim, Dan. “Musical and Dramatic Design in Bernard Herrmann's Prelude to Vertigo
(1958).” Music and the Moving Image (2013): 21-31.
Classic fm. Bernard Herrmann: Vertigo. 2020. 21 April 2020
<https://www.classicfm.com/composers/herrmann/music/vertigo/>.
IMDB. Orson Welles (1915–1985). 2020. 21 April 2020
<https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000080/>.
Morgan, Davids. "Citizen Kane" (1941) Breakfast Montage. 2015. 21 April 2020
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMkPIW22bq4&feature=youtu.be.>.
Movie Clips. Vertigo (10/11) Movie CLIP - Judy Becomes Madeleine (1958) HD. 2011. 21
April 2020.
SCS75. Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958). 2009. 21 April 2020
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Beac86mN8XM>.