Discover Film Music

As the twentieth century approached, a new art form was developed, one that would go on to dominate the next hundred years. Though cinema began in silence, it quickly acquired sound and attracted musicians and composers. The new medium demanded a new approach, both aesthetically and technologically, but these problems were overcome remarkably quickly, allowing film composition to develop into a sophisticated branch of music-drama. This e-text outlines the history of film music, introduces some of the major characters, and shows how their music works in the context of film. Includes 2½ hours of music by Steiner, Korngold, Herrmann, Newman, Copland, Williams, Barry, Elfman, Walton, Shostakovich, Morricone, Auric and others. Audio samples are contained in the text: just tap to listen while you read.