Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 This will kind of be a companion piece to my "Top 10 Musical Artists" thread, which I did intend to be separate from film scores. A lot of members did their own all encompassing thing, which was cool and I appreciated the discussion there. Here, though, I will go into an in-depth (or really medium-depth) analysis of my favorite film composers, their style, and what I love about them. I spent a lot of time mulling over my selections the last time, and went through my discographies of those musicians' work chronologically in order to formulate my thoughts. Ideally I would like to give these fine composers the same attention, but doing so will result in my musings being spread out over a long period of time, considering the sheer amount of hours of music I have. I was planning on starting this thread well after I began actually going through the music again, but tonight the mood to write struck me, so I've decided to share with you my #10.10. THOMAS NEWMANRecently I touched upon the director-composer relationship in a little review of James Newton Howard's The Last Airbender. Like many classic filmmaking partners, such as Leone and Morricone, Hitchcock and Herrmann, and Spielberg and Williams, there are equally fruitful companionships with younger filmmakers working today. I included Shyamalan and Howard among them, and I now I will add Sam Mendes and Thomas Newman.The two first teamed up on Mendes' debut feature, American Beauty, which garnered several Oscars, including Best Picture and Directing, and a nomination for Newman. If you haven't seen the film, it's really something great, and you should check it out. Focusing more on the score, however, Newman brought his unique blend of light quirkiness and melancholic drama to the picture. This is something he would go on to develop beautifully further in his career. What I feel like people don't recognize in Newman, is how well he can score drama. When I try to think of great dramatic scores not much comes to mind. There are political thrillers and slow burn mysteries, which all contain dramatic elements, but there isn't much in regards to familial drama. Jump three years ahead to Road To Perdition, and Mendes and Newman deliver a tour de force in filmmaking. A movie with 30s gangsters and dirty money, but at its heart a family drama. This is the element Newman scores, and he gets deep into the core of this wonderful film. Accenting the Irish background of the main characters with his instrumentation (hear "Rock Island, 1931"), Newman really fleshes out the plot and carries the whole thing along, brimming with a hopeful sadness and a slight edge of eccentricity for the more unusual characters. Hear "Meet Maguire," which accompanies an awesome introduction shot of Jude Law's character. It's this type of playfulness that helps define Thomas Newman. His use of instrumentation brings a distinct and punctual sound to his music. You can't mistake it for anyone else. He keeps it small and close to the emotions on the screen, never really going above the picture, but tugging it along from underneath (if that makes any sense). Mendes really lets him shine with "Ghosts," a climactic scene in which most directors would accentuate the action and violence, but here Mendes gives it all to Newman, where the sound is muted and his music makes the scene.I realize I've spent a lot of time (I could write endlessly) on Road To Perdition, but as it's my favorite Newman score and one I feel to be his definitive work, a lot of what he does here can be heard in his other film scores. His other works with Mendes, Jarhead and Revolutionary Road (the latter being my second favorite score of his), also display his skill in character scoring. He has a similar relationship with Frank Darabont, and I whole heartily recommend his music for The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, which both feature that signature blend of musical stoicism and profound beauty. There's just no one else that even closely resembles Thomas Newman's style and understanding of scripted drama, except for perhaps my #9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Is this why your tag above your profile pic has said "Top 10 Composers"? I was wondering about that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krang 1 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I wouldn't put Thomas Newman in my top 10, but certainly top 100 and probably top 50. The Shawshank Redemption might be what I consider to be his definitive work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 The Shawshank Redemption might be what I consider to be his definitive work.No, I believe his definitive work is Angels in America.Alice will not return, Koray. Not need to do that.As I said before, she'll be back. They always come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 So....is this a thread for your top 10 only, or could we give ours as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,193 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 You have top 10? Don't you hate lists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 You have top 10? Don't you hate lists? I've mellowed in recent years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 So....is this a thread for your top 10 only, or could we give ours as well?Oh by all means share. That's the purpose after all. I want to share with you all my favorites, and would love to read about yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren 75 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I'll come up with my top ten but does it have to be film or is it just from an aesthetic standpoint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I'll come up with my top ten but does it have to be film or is it just from an aesthetic standpoint?That's also a good question. I won't deny that my list primarily stems from how much I like to listen to them on album, with the actual film context being a secondary concern. Alternatively two different lsits, depending on which focus you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Write from whatever viewpoint you like. Naturally we all have scores to films we haven't seen.Is this why your tag above your profile pic has said "Top 10 Composers"? I was wondering about that...Yeah it was a bit of an easter egg teaser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren 75 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 well, i'll go through my itunes for a surprise.... i'll base it on that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren 75 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 OK, honestly when I look at my plays, the top ten are:1 Oceanlab (Satellite etc.)2 Ke$ha (I know, I know...Your Love is my Drug...)3 Buffy Once More With Feeling (soundtrack)4 Howard Shore (LOTR)5 (Jerry Goldsmith (ST)6 JW (Various, mostly HP)7 Katy Perry (Teenage Dream album)8 Armin Van Buuren (various)9 Tiesto (various)10 Matteo Di Marr (various)OK, let me guess: Koko's number 1 is Morricone. Giacchino must be in his top 5. Zimmer must be in there somewhere. Powell as well. Newton Howard, possibly. Shore, definitely. Perhaps Desplat (not sure about that one). Don't know who the others could be. You'll see I'm right about those I mentioned, though!you talking about me? I'm a trance girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren 75 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 a ha, i see the nick name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 OK, let me guess: Koko's number 1 is Morricone. Giacchino must be in his top 5. Zimmer must be in there somewhere. Powell as well. Newton Howard, possibly. Shore, definitely. Perhaps Desplat (not sure about that one). Don't know who the others could be. You'll see I'm right about those I mentioned, though!Obviously Morricone is number 1, and he'll probably have Johnny at #2 and Zimmer at #3. Giacchino top 5, Powell and JNH in there too. I'm not who will make the 2 mystery spots, but it won't be Desplat or Shore..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Listening to a few select scores by #9 now and will probably post later tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,206 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Definitely not Johnny in the Top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,016 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 1. Williams2. Goldsmith3. Elfman4. Horner5. Goldenthal6. Herrmann7. North8. Morricone9. Kamen10. Giacchino.It's a kind of boring, predictable selection. But it is what it is. The order changes every now and then.There is a lot of composers missing, obviously. But that's because I like only the selected scores of theirs.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 These things change continually, and what is my top 10 now may not be so in 6 months (except the ones at the top). So right now, it would look something like this:1. JOHN WILLIAMS (completist)2. Danny Elfman (completist)3. Hans Zimmer4. Elliot Goldenthal (completist)5. James Horner6. Jerry Goldsmith7. Alan Silvestri8. Franz Waxman9. James Newton Howard10. Basil PoledourisVangelis would have been in there, but I feel it's too limiting to call him 'just' a film composer, so I decided to omit him in this particular case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 9. ALEXANDRE DESPLATI became aware of Desplat back in 2006 when I saw The Queen, and thought how bland and boring the score was. I was amazed when he earned a nomination for the music, and at that point went back and sampled a couple select scores. I think they were Firewall and Hostage, and those made matters worse. Then The Golden Compass came out, and I gave that a shot and it failed to grasp me as well. I concluded he was generic, but then he was announced as composer for Fincher’s then upcoming The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. I was disappointed that he didn’t reteam with Howard Shore after using David Shire on Zodiac. My expectations were low, obviously, but after seeing the film, everything changed. Desplat, with his underlying metronomic rhythms and delicate string writing, finally grasped me. The music was as fragile as Benjamin Button, and was almost like a lullaby for the character. He had found a way to accent the fantasy element of this otherwise realistic portrayal of one man’s life, and it was ultimately my favorite score of 2008.The following year he scored The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and despite the awfulness present in that film, he composed a knock-out score with a gorgeous theme. I still remember first hearing it, standing in the theater waiting for it to end on opening night (I worked at one), and that theme played as some ridiculous cliffhanger ending occurred, and I was in awe. He was then announced as the replacement for James Newton Howard on The Tree Of Life. The thought first disappointed me, but the more I listened the more optimistic I became. I was officially a fan.I like to keep up with Desplat’s ever growing output, but I don’t think I’ll ever become a completist. It’s when he’s utilizing his minimalistic rhythms that he really grabs my attention, whether it’s the amazing underscore to The Ghost Writer or The Special Relationship, or his musical suite for Moonrise Kingdom, Desplat strongly propels the films he scores forward with what feels like the slightest gust of air. I can’t discuss his work without mentioning my favorite score of his, but I’m sure most will recall the praise I’ve given to Fantastic Mr. Fox. It’s melodic, rhythmic, and wonderfully orchestrated, but most of all exciting and fun... all within the guidelines of his usual stylings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 1/1 for the moment. Yay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 If we're just doing film composers, here's my list:1. John Williams2. James Newton Howard3. Alan Menken4. Danny Elfman5. Jerry Goldsmith6. Hans Zimmer7. James Horner (he would be higher on the list if it weren't for his plagiarism)8. Philip Glass (does he count? I only have one of his film scores, so his concert works are his biggest strengths for me)9. Michael Giacchino10. Alexandre Desplat (don't really have enough of his scores to accurately judge him but based on what I do have this is where he is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,206 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Just before Koko's list here is mine shortie:1. John Williams/ Angela Morley2. Jerry Goldsmith2 . Thomas Newman4. Howard Shore just with LOTR and Hugosome good cues by many but to my list? out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 I thought you said you were unfamiliar with a lot of Goldsmith's work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,206 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Yes true. But what I know they are all brilliant. Definitely my list worthy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 OK, let me guess: Koko's number 1 is Morricone. Giacchino must be in his top 5. Zimmer must be in there somewhere. Powell as well. Newton Howard, possibly. Shore, definitely. Perhaps Desplat (not sure about that one). Don't know who the others could be. You'll see I'm right about those I mentioned, though!Obviously Morricone is number 1, and he'll probably have Johnny at #2 and Zimmer at #3. Giacchino top 5, Powell and JNH in there too. I'm not who will make the 2 mystery spots, but it won't be Desplat or Shore.....My prediction as well. Notable for the lack of "older" composers other than Morricone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 126 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I like these topics where you can just copy-paste from earlier topics 1) John Williams2) Erich Wolfgang Korngold 3) Jerry Goldsmith4) Elmer Bernstein5) Maurice Jarre 6) Dmitri Tiomkin 7) Max Steiner8) David Raksin 9) Victor Young10) Jerome Moross11) Anton Profes 12) Wojciech Kilar 13) Ennio Morricone 14) John Barry15) Sergei Yevtushenko 16) Marc Shaiman 17) Michael Convertino 18) Edward Shearmur 19) Ilan Eshkeri20) Miklos Rosza 21) Bernard Herrmann22) David Arnold23) Brian Tyler24) Andrew Lockington25) James Horner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Johnny, Jerry, Jimmy, Pino, JNH, JB, there are many great dead ones, no other great living ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Johnny, Jerry, Jimmy, Pino, JNH, JB, there are many great dead ones, no other great living ones.Pinocchio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Johnny, Jerry, Jimmy, Pino, JNH, JB, there are many great dead ones, no other great living ones.Pinocchio?If I had a big elf sized hammer, I'd flatten you like in a tom and jerry cartoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 JohnJerry James the lazy whiner HowardEnnio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 126 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Johnny, Jerry, Jimmy, Pino, JNH, JB, there are many great dead ones, no other great living ones.Pinocchio?If I had a big elf sized hammer, I'd flatten you like in a tom and jerry cartoon.Is that quote in your sig really from Jerry Goldsmith? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,349 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Johnny, Jerry, Jimmy, Pino, JNH, JB, there are many great dead ones, no other great living ones.Pinocchio?If I had a big elf sized hammer, I'd flatten you like in a tom and jerry cartoon.Is that quote in your sig really from Jerry Goldsmith?No, its from Joey _________. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krang 1 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 As a committee, I bet we could put together a pretty mean top 100 list including French, Italian, British, Indian, and Japanese composers. I'm up for a prolonged debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,335 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 9. ALEXANDRE DESPLATWhat? No The Tree Of Life?Alexandre - who, when it comes to film music, is mostly listening to Desplat these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 1-John Williams............2-Jerry Goldsmith3-James Horner4-John Barry5-Morricone6-Danny Elfman7-8-9-10 .Those other guys that sometimes come up with a good score like Silvestri, David Arnold, Giacchino,Poledouris,Desplat,Debney... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren 75 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Ok, I have my top ten *film* composers ready to post, waiting for a more normal hour to post it though. It's on my other device.1. John Williams2. Jerry Goldsmith3. Howard Shore4. Hans ZimmerEtc. Powell, Herrmann, Horner, Giacchino, Newman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,478 Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I'd go...1. John Williams (E.T.)2. Max Steiner (Gone With The Wind)3. Dmitri Tiomkin (Red River)4. Nino Rota (Amarcord)5. Bernard Herrmann (Psycho)6. Elmer Bernstein (The Magnificent Seven)7. Victor Young (Shane)8. Alfred Newman (Song Of Bernadette)9. Henry Mancini (Breakfast At Tiffany's)10.Sergei Prokofiev (Ivan The Terrible)I have indicated the best score of the respective composer (IMO) in brackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 1. Herbert Spencer2. Angela Morley3. Arthur Morton4. Eddie Karam5. Conrad Pope6. John Neufeld7. Scott Smalley8. James Campbell9. John Williams10. Jerry Goldsmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 You list Williams' orchestrator before Williams himself? That is like placing Steve Bartek before Danny Elfman.What is next? People credit William Ross for CoS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 You list Williams' orchestrator before Williams himself?That is like placing Steve Bartek before Danny Elfman.What is next? People credit William Ross for CoS?Gkgyver...it's a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 1. John Williams-------------------------5. Jerry Goldsmith6. Danny Elfman7. Alan Silvestri8. Howard Shore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacius 7 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Top 3:1. Williams2. Goldsmith3. HornerFollowed by:- Shore- Silvestri- Elfman- Barry- Conti- Jones- Arnold- and more Salacius 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,533 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 1/ John Williams,2/ Jerry Glodsmith,3/ The rest. Salacius 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now