1. John Williams
Movies: Star Wars I-VI, Indiana Jones (all), E.T., Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Harry Potter (all), Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Superman, Home Alone
John Williams is the king of movie soundtracks, in my opinion. It should come as no surprise that all of the movies listed above have won numerous awards and made millions of dollars at the box office. I would argue that without Williams' score, none of these movies would have had the same success they did. This video helps to illustrate my point. And I bet you can hear the music from each of the movies I listed above as soon as you see the title. I had the pleasure several years ago to see John Williams conduct The President's Own Marine Corps Band as they played some of his most memorable music. It is certainly one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life, and I am proud to be able to say that I've seen this master at work.
2. Hans Zimmer
Movies: Inception, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight, Gladiator, The Lion King, Crimson Tide, A League of Their Own, The Da Vinci Code
I'm sure you've heard Hans Zimmer's work before, but probably didn't realize he composed it. He is another composer with memorable hooks used in big blockbusters. My favorite Zimmer composition is the score for Inception. The movie was great (which helps), but the score is genius. It is Zimmer's music that really takes you into the depths of the human mind and imagination. His notes match the stunning visuals on screen. A good movie soundtrack is one you can listen to without watching the movie, and this one certainly falls under that category. But don't try listening to it while you're falling asleep - that could really freak you out and give you some strange dreams.
3. James Horner
Movies: Braveheart, Apollo 13, Aliens, Field of Dreams, Enemy at the Gates, Titanic, A Beautiful Mind, Avatar
James Horner is another composer whose work you most definitely are familiar with. I first found out who he was from his work on the movie A Beautiful Mind, but quickly found out that he composed the music to some of my other favorite soundtracks - specifically Apollo 13 and Enemy at the Gates. I think his music perfectly complements the stories being told and transports you to other times and places. The solemn and heroic trumpet theme from Apollo 13 gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. The high-pitched violin parts in Enemy at the Gates makes you feel the tension and intensity of World War II -era Stalingrad. And the flurrying of fast-paced sixteenth notes in A Beautiful Mind signifies the numbers, formulas, and equations running through the mind of a genius. It must also be pointed out that Horner uses a heavy Celtic influence in his writing, which becomes very evident in movies like Braveheart and Titanic.
4. Michael Giacchino
Movies: The Incredibles, Up, Star Trek, Super 8
TV: LOST, Alias, Fringe
Michael Giacchino is an up-and-coming composer who writes some really interesting and different music. He has been composing for Pixar for many of their films, beginning with The Incredibles. I enjoyed this music so much I decided to use it for my marching band show this year. Everyone who hears the music loves it and comments on how great it is. My favorite music by Giacchino, however, is his work on the TV show LOST. This is where he really shines, using innovative compositional techniques and 20th century tonalities. The plot of the show was often strange, and the music he wrote was equally as strange. He actually used pieces of the airplane (the actual prop seen on the show) to create many of the percussive sounds you hear. Relatively speaking, he is new to the scene, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for his future work.
5. The Sherman Brothers
Movies: The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks
As a huge Disney fan, I would be remissed if I didn't mention Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman. These two brothers wrote some of the most memorable Disney music of all time. Walt Disney himself would call them to come play for him in his office every week. They wrote songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "The Bare Necessities," "It's A Small World," and "Let's Go Fly a Kite." That's right - now you have "It's A Small World" in your head, don't you? Catchy, isn't it? And that was music written for a RIDE. A ride with hundreds of dolls. And you know it. And for my fellow Disney fans, they also wrote the music to many more theme park attractions. If you know the song from a Disney ride, they probably wrote the music.
6. Danny Elfman
Movies: Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Edward Scissorhands, Good Will Hunting, Spiderman
Danny Elfman is to Tim Burton what John Williams is to Steven Spielberg. When Tim Burton has a new movie, he goes right to Danny Elfman to provide the score. And for good reason. He writes some hauntingly beautiful and interesting music. Tim Burton creates very dark movies, and Elfman's score can be equally dark and ominous. He knows who he's writing for. In The Nightmare Before Christmas, he not only composed all the music, but he also provided the singing voice for Jack Skullington. You know The Simpson's theme song? Of course you do! He wrote that too.
7. Neil Innes
Movie: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Ok, I'll admit I threw this one in because of his awesome last name. And yes, I'll claim a distant relation (maybe?) But the truth is that he wrote some hilarious and catchy songs for Monty Python as well. I sometimes hear that brass fanfare from Monty Python and the Holy Grail in my head as I'm walking down the hall. It takes all that I've got not to pretend I'm on a horse being followed by a guy clanging coconuts together. Then there's also the big production number "Camelot." True, he's in a different league than the other composers I've listed, but he's still a fun composer.
So, how much of this music did you recognize? Most of it, I bet. Enjoy!
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