This list crosses two of my favourite pastimes (and two failed careers I never quite managed to pull off properly).
Music is as vital to the emotion and drama of a movie as the best acting and photography. Nothing can change the mood of a scene faster than a great score. Sometimes when I go to the movies, I can find myself just listening to the music. Some composers may feel that’s an insult, but believe me guys, it’s as big a compliment as I can dream up.
These are the leaders of the pack in my opinion.
- John Williams – 41 Oscar nominations and eight wins, and more instantly recognised motifs than any other composer, alive or dead. No contest.
- James Newton Howard
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold
- John Barry – James Bond. ‘Nuff said.
- Hans Zimmer
- James Horner
- Jerry Goldsmith
- Danny Elfman
- Henry Mancini
- Basil Poledouris
- Maurice Jarre
- Bernard Hermann
Huge honourable mention to Ennio Morricone for writing one of the most original and distinctive themes of all time. And to Max Steiner as the second giant (behind Korngold) of the Golden Years. The next big thing? Probably Howard Shore.