Which dead film composer would be the most popular in modern day?

[indy4 152]

Assuming these film composers did not adapt their styles to fit the modern trend, which would be the most popular to everybody's standards [remember, this isn't just about this MB - consider the thousands and thousands of MV fans (including myself)].

Old means they died in the 1900s (or earlier, I guess).

Vice Versa, too. I don't know really how to put a date on modern composers, but keep in mind that JW doesn't count (he's proven he is good in both the old and the new ages). The young composers I can think of are Elfman, Zimmer, Shore, Howard, Ottman, Giacchino, Gregson-Williams, Powell, Badelt, Nott, Debney, Hooper, Newman, Silvestri, Horner, etc.

[Romão 1,931]

Hermann. He would more popular now than back in the day.

[King Mark 2,924]

I'd say Rosza.He's the only golden age composer that doesn't have that "dated" sound.

[Romão 1,931]

Yeah, or Rozsa. His music does have a very timeless quality to it, and those gorgeous melodies will always be gorgeous.

[indy4 152]

Hermann. He would more popular now than back in the day.

But would he be popular with the styles of Zimmer and Co. thriving? It takes much more patience to get through a Herrmann score than it does to get through a Zimmer score. I'm not saying either is better than the other, but I'm not sure Herrmann would be able to keep the majority of music lovers interested long enough.

[Romão 1,931]

Well, but Hermann is way better than Zimmer. I think Herrmann would easily find a sizeable niche these days.

[Mark_73 0]

Well, but Hermann is way better than Zimmer. I think Herrmann would easily find a sizeable niche these days.

You are right! A very sizeable niche! Bernard Hermann was one of the very best film composers ever! Of course not to

forget Franz Waxman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold etc. But Hermann was so complex and his sense for sounds and harmony

was just unique. What an adoreable man he was! I love his scores. And he was very flexible too! Listen to his scores for North by Northwest and Taxi Driver... That´s a good example. He also did music for the concert hall. My favourite is his

Symphony No. 1. He was a good advisor and mentor to the young John Williams as well. I remember Williams saying that Hermann asked him: "Do you wanna become a film composer"? And Williams answered: " Yes I will"!. And Hermann said:

"No! The answer has to be: I wanna become a GOOD film composer"! Maybe this had some influence in John´s career ;-)

He even topped it. He became a VERY GOOD film composer :-) Greetz! >Mark<

[AC1 3,565]

The first name that came to my mind was Herrmann.

Isn't Rozsa a bit too lyrical for these Zimmer times?

[Hitch 55]

Bring them all back I say. That would be the death knell of that dreadful Media Ventures organisation. You remember that last scene in original THE FOG movie where Fr Malone is alone in the church surrounded by all those ghastly pirates? I picture Hans Zimmer and co being taken out one by one. Now, I'd PAY to see that.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

I find Steiner's 1933 Kong to sound very contemporaneal.

I did not expected that from the oldest score i own...

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

1. Herrmann.

2. Rosza

3. Alex North

Herrmann would be able to keep the majority of music lovers interested long enough.

You oversimplify and falsely insult the intelligent of the modern film-goer.

[MSM 85]

Korngold would be the only one talented enough to adapt to new techniques and styles.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Korngold would be the only one talented enough to adapt to new techniques and styles.

The only?

[MSM 85]

Korngold would be the only one talented enough to adapt to new techniques and styles.

The only?

I do think so, yes. When listening to more of Korngold's oeuvre, especially the Violin Concerto, one can only come to this conclusion. Korngold is as versatile as Williams, and writes with a richness and inventiveness one doesn't find in Rosza's, Newman's, North's or Steiner's music. Bernard Herrmann might be a good second as it comes to talent, although his style wouldn't fit in our time.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

He probably wouldn't bother, though. He turned his back on film music around 1950, I doubt he'd stick with the industry nowadays.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Bernard Herrmann might be a good second as it comes to talent, although his style wouldn't fit in our time.

Of all the Golden Age composers I've heard, Herrmann is the most timeless one.

[Morlock 9]

Herrmann, certainly. There's be a respectable niche market for North.

[Jeshopk 8]

Look, if Lalo Schifrin can still be scoring in his 70's sound then there's no such thing as a good film composer becoming outdated. Herman Stein could be scoring horror films today and nobody would bat an eye.

[AC1 3,565]

Bernard Herrmann might be a good second as it comes to talent, although his style wouldn't fit in our time.

Of all the Golden Age composers I've heard, Herrmann is the most timeless one.

Even more than Williams, I suppose.

[indy4 152]

Not more than Wiliams.

[Romão 1,931]

He's a timeless in a sense that his style might be more unique and he does stand alone stylistically. By listening to his music, you really can't place him in any particular period or decade. That's how he is timeless, not so much in terms of memorability.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Bring them all back I say. That would be the death knell of that dreadful Media Ventures organisation. You remember that last scene in original THE FOG movie where Fr Malone is alone in the church surrounded by all those ghastly pirates? I picture Hans Zimmer and co being taken out one by one. Now, I'd PAY to see that.

As well as the death of that dreadful Gustavo Santaolalla.

[KingPin 194]

I have to go with Korngold, Herrmann, and Steiner. I also think Goldsmith and Mancini would still be going strong were they still alive.

When I first read "vice versa", I was jokingly thinking "they must mean which composer would people like better if they were dead." In that case, I would vote Santalolla.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Geez Goldsmith has been dead for only a few years. If he was alive he would still be scoring suspense/action films, dumb comedies and sci-fi thrillers that all flop.

[MSM 85]

It should be noticed that Herrmann's music is never performed but in some movie related contexts. Korngold's music however is still being played and performed everyday around the world.