Which Of These Legendary Composers Created The Score For Your Favorite Film?
While actors and directors often garner the most accolades, the true emotional architects of our favorite films frequently work behind the scenes. One of the most important aspects of any film is the music. It helps set the scene and adds depth and atmosphere. Can you imagine what your favorite film would be like without the music? No matter how great the dialogue is, it's not the only thing our ears need to hear to have a great movie experience. It's the spine-tingling strings, heart-pounding percussion, and orchestral ascension to a jaw-dropping crescendo that elevates scenes from good to iconic. Here are 20 musical masterminds any film buff needs to know.
1. Danny Elfman
A big part of what makes Tim Burton's films so memorable and deliciously gothic is this man, Danny Elfman. Known for his dark film scores, he's the mastermind behind the music of Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, and Batman.
2. Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer is the man behind some of the most epic movie soundtracks ever made, frequently blending orchestral and electronic elements. These include The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar, Gladiator, and Inception to name a few.
3. John Williams
Perhaps the most prolific and well-known film composer of all time, John Williams' portfolio spans five decades and is so astoundingly diverse you'll be asking yourself what classic movie he didn't create the score for. He composed everything from the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Jaws and Jurassic Park.
4. Howard Shore
Howard Shore is renowned for making some of the most emotionally deep, rich, and intricate film scores ever. He's most famous for creating the music for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies for which he used different musical phrases to represent different races and objects in the film.
5. Rachel Portman
Rachel Portman is the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Original Score. She's known for her heart-achingly beautiful, romantic, and whimsical scores. She created the music for Chocolat, Emma, and Never Let Me Go.
6. Quincy Jones
A true musical powerhouse, Quincy Jones has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. He was the first Black person to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. He created the score for In Cold Blood, The Italian Job, and The Color Purple.
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7. James Horner
James Horner's style is characterized by the use of Celtic motifs masterfully blended with electronic elements. He's responsible for some of the most iconic film scores ever including Titanic, Braveheart, and Avatar.
8. Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith is known for his versatility as a composer and his ability to deliver bold, dramatic, and riveting scores across multiple genres. His resume includes Mulan, Alien, Poltergeist, and Planet of the Apes.
9. Ennio Morricone
What cowboy showdown would be complete without a dramatic, anxiety-inducing score? Ennio Morricone's score is a huge part of what made Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns so memorable. He created the soundtrack for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West.
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10. Randy Newman
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who isn't familiar with a single Randy Newman song, even if they aren't aware of who wrote it. He created the score for numerous Pixar and Disney films including Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Monsters Inc.
11. Alan Menken
Alan Menken basically soundtracked our childhoods with his contributions to classic Disney films. He is the legendary composer behind such amazing classic scores as Aladdin, The Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.
12. John Powell
John Powell has created some of the most popular film scores of the 21st century from Wicked to Shrek. His style is best described as energetic, optimistic, melodically rich, and deeply moving.
13. Alexandre Desplat
No Wes Anderson film would be complete without the whimsical and elegant backing tracks of Alexandre Desplat. His resume includes The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Shape of Water, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Marie-Christine Desplat on Wikimedia
14. Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann's unsettling scores upgraded every horror film he touched from somewhat creepy to downright terrifying. His work on such films as Psycho, Taxi Driver, and Vertigo greatly influenced the psychological thriller and horror genre.
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15. Alan Silvestri
Movie directors know whose musical stylings they can rely on to make their heroes look more heroic. Alan Silvestri is responsible for some of the most iconic adventure movie scores such as Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and The Avengers.
16. John Barry
John Barry is best known for creating the iconic sounds of James Bond, Dances with Wolves, and Out of Africa. His style is characterized by a mesh of lush orchestral melodies and unique use of brass and strings to create dramatic, romantic, and sweeping scores.
17. Max Steiner
Max Steiner is the film composer most synonymous with the Golden Age of cinema. He created the scores for many classic films including Gone with the Wind, King Kong, and Casa Blanca.
18. Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini is known for his romantic, jazz-infused scores for classic movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Days of Wine and Roses, and The Pink Panther. During his lifetime, he was nominated for an impressive 72 Grammy Awards.
19. Nino Rota
Do you remember the rich score of The Godfather trilogy? How could you forget? Well, it's thanks to this man, Nino Rota, whose whimsical and haunting musical style created the emotional backbone of many scenes.
20. Vangelis
Any major film you can think of with a more electronic-focused score is likely the work of this man, Vangelis. Known for his use of heavy synth, his style has been described as ambient and avant-garde. His resume includes Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire, and Alexander.
