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I received my first instrumental film soundtrack sometime around my fourth grade year or so: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by John Williams. Now, I own something like 60+ full instrumental soundtracks by composers ranging from Williams to Zimmer to Desplat. I’d like to share who my favorite film composers are, as well as my favorite film scores from each of them.
1) I feel like I’d be sinning if I didn’t list John Williams as my absolute favorite. Perhaps it’s because it was my first, but Williams’ score for Sorcerer’s Stone has always been my favorite. I can sit down, start it from the beginning, and play through the movie in my head while I listen. When it comes to picture painting, I think Williams is the best in the business. The concept of leitmotif (musical themes that represent people, places, events, etc.) is rampant throughout his film scores, which is probably my favorite part of listening to a Williams score. Other favorites of mine are the scores to Hook, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and War Horse.
2) Next up is John Powell. I was first officially introduced to his music when I listened through How to Train Your Dragon’s soundtrack. “Test Drive” soon became my ringtone…I called it ‘my jam’. Powell is one of the best when it comes to representing other cultures through music. I definitely feel like I’m listening to the music of Vikings when I listen to the music from How to Train Your Dragon, and his joint effort with Hans Zimmer on the Kung Fu Panda films really absorbs me into the Chinese culture. There are a few gems to be found in the music of the Bourne trilogy as well.
3) Alan Silvestri is next on my list. I first came across his music when I watched Back to the Future in sixth grade. The BTTF trilogy, aside from being my favorite films of all time, has one of the best main themes out there, and the western theme heard in Part III is one of my favorites of the genre. I don’t own the Forrest Gump soundtrack, but it has one of the most beautiful themes out there, and the “Captain America March” is in my top five of film marches. I’m glad that the instrumental score for The Avengers is to be composed by Mr. Silvestri…it’s in good hands.
4) Alexandre Desplat. I had never listened to any of M. Desplat’s music until I got my hands on his music for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. I. I had VERY high expectations for DHPt1’s film score after being disappointed in all of the others’ since Williams’ departure from the series (I’ve since warmed up to Hooper’s score for Half-Blood Prince, but his OotP score is lacking, and I absolutely despise Patrick Doyle’s GoF score). I was NOT disappointed! Finally, here was a Harry Potter film score that carried the same magic that John Williams introduced with the first film! I was impressed with Desplat’s innate ability to convey emotion through his music, a trait which doesn’t always seem to be prevalent among film composers today. Desplat’s score to DHPt2 was even better; listening alone almost brings up as many tears as watching the movie itself. I was disappointed to not see an Academy Award nomination for M. Desplat this year, but c’est la vie.
5) I’m reluctant to include Hans Zimmer, but the truth is this: his music is just too darn fun. The reason I hesitate to include him on this list is because ALL OF HIS MUSIC SOUNDS THE SAME. I can smell a Zimmer score a mile away. Muppet Treasure Island sounds like Pirates sounds like Gladiator, and his scores to the Batman films (joint with James Newton Howard) are strikingly similar to his music for Inception. Sure, it seems that he’s found something that works, but I would like a little bit of departure from what he always does every once in a while (even he said that he didn’t expect to win an Academy Award for his Inception score because it was too “derivative” of his earlier works). However, like I said, his film scores are just too much fun, and, every once in awhile, he’ll throw something out that catches me by surprise. I’m definitely excited to hear how he concludes Nolan’s Batman trilogy, especially since he isn’t joined by James Newton Howard this time.
6) Michael Giacchino. I almost forgot to include this guy, but I don’t know why…he rocks! The awesome jazz stuff found in The Incredibles (“The Glory Days” was another one of my ringtones for awhile) knocks me off my feet every time, and his score to Disney/Pixar’s Up was magical and beautiful. His music for Star Trek was lots of fun as well. Giacchino is definitely one of the more eclectic composers out there; it seems like he can compose for anything!
7) James Newton Howard. To be quite honest, I only have one or two of Mr. Newton Howard’s instrumental soundtracks, but they’re definitely impressive. When I think of his music, I think of beautiful, rich melodies and strong brass fanfares; I credit him with keeping Zimmer in check on the scores for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. One of my most anticipated instrumental soundtracks right now is The Hunger Games by Newton Howard…can’t wait to hear how he does!
Honorable mentions include: Randy Newman, Thomas Newman, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and Howard Shore.
Do you disagree with any of these? Who are your favorite film composers?
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