Bernard Herrmann was a French musicologist born in Paris on June 29, 1911. Instead of becoming a well-known composer like in our timeline, Herrmann devoted his life to the discovery, documentation, and preservation of ancient musical systems. As a result, Herrmann played a significant role in shaping the history of music by introducing musicians and audiences to lost musical traditions.
Herrmann was born into a family of modest means but with a strong love for the arts. His father, Abraham Herrmann, was a respected music teacher who encouraged Herrmann to explore the world of music from an early age. Herrmann studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he gained a deep understanding of music theory, history, and composition.
Throughout his career, Herrmann traveled extensively and explored various libraries, museums, and archaeological sites throughout Europe and Asia. He became fluent in several ancient languages and used his formidable musicological skills to decipher ancient musical notations and uncover long-lost music. One of his most significant discoveries was the re-discovery of the ancient Hittite music system and its rich tradition of court music.
Herrmann published numerous works on ancient music, including music from Babylon, Egypt, and Ancient Greece. Despite his extensive knowledge of musicology, Herrmann rarely composed any music himself. Instead, he devoted his talents to compiling and arranging lost music for modern audiences, ensuring that these ancient musical traditions would not be forgotten.
Herrmann's discoveries and scholarly works had a profound impact on many musicians and music scholars. His work on Hittite music inspired new approaches to music composition, such as the use of quarter-tones and microtonality. Furthermore, his extensive writings on Ancient Greek and Babylonian music sparked renewed interest in these ancient musical traditions.
Bernard Herrmann's work as a musicologist left a lasting impact on the history of music and musical culture. His extensive research and discoveries of ancient music systems helped preserve and revive musical traditions that might otherwise have been lost to history. Moreover, Herrmann's contributions to musicology inspired other musicians and scholars to explore the rich musical heritage of the ancient world.
Herrmann's legacy lived on even after his death in 1983, with his works and discoveries continuing to influence music scholars, composers, and performers for generations to come. In this alternate timeline, Bernard Herrmann's unwavering dedication to the preservation and appreciation of ancient music earned him a place in history as one of the most influential musicologists of his time.
