Danny Elfman

Music from Spider Man

             Music for films, whether by a pianist improvising for silent films, or that scored for full romantic-era orchestras, has always been an essential element in the medium.   And film composers, and their individual paths to success, have varied remarkably over the years.  From so-called “classical” composers such as Aaron Copland, Virgil Thompson, and a host of others, to those who were practically self-taught, with simple roots—it doesn’t seem to matter.  All that essentially counts is musical talent, creative imagination, a capability for artistic growth, and the ability to work within the demanding, cost and deadline-driven requirements of Hollywood.  The music from the recent film hits, Pirates of the Caribbean, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and Spider Man

“This is Halloween” from A Nightmare Before Christmas

            Music for films, whether by a pianist improvising for silent films, or that scored for full romantic-era orchestras, has always been an essential element in the medium.   And film composers, and their individual paths to success, have varied remarkably over the years.  From so-called “classical” composers such as Aaron Copland, Virgil Thompson, and a host of others, to those who were practically self-taught, with simple roots—it doesn’t seem to matter.  All that essentially counts is musical talent, creative imagination, a capability for artistic growth, and the ability to work within the demanding, cost and deadline-driven requirements of Hollywood.  The music from the recent film hits, Pirates of the Caribbean, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and Spider Man