Psycho (The Shower Scene) - Bernard Herrmann (1960)

Herrmann's famous score for the shower scene of 'Psycho' is easily recognized. The screechy, high-pitched sounds of the violins scare the audience alongside with the victim's scream.
It was a very unusual approach at the time to use only string instruments to create a score and this risky idea clearly payed off as the score is instantly recognized ever since. Herrmann's techniques were unique and possibly a little ahead of time, that showed much creativity and skills. Although the scene itself is shocking, the music definitely added to the dread and heightened the audience's fear. The sound of the violins represent the knife cutting into Marion's flesh. The horror of the scene is exaggerated by the shrieking noise and it also brings the viewer closer to the victim, almost places them into her position and make them experience the sinister event as if they were the character herself. It is why the scene has a bigger psychological effect on the viewer, achieving the experience of the ultimate horror of the film.