1993
Search results
Elmer Bernstein (/ ˈ b ɜːr n s t iː n / BURN-steen; April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) was an American composer and conductor. In a career that spanned over five decades, he composed "some of the most recognizable and memorable themes in Hollywood history", including over 150 original film scores , as well as scores for nearly 80 television ...
May 13, 2024 · Elmer Bernstein (born April 4, 1922, New York, New York, U.S.—died August 18, 2004, Ojai, California, U.S.) was an American film composer who created the scores for more than 200 motion pictures during a career that spanned half a century and produced some of Hollywood’s most memorable film music.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about the life and legacy of Elmer Bernstein, who composed iconic scores for films like The Magnificent Seven, Ghostbusters and The Great Escape. Explore his biography, songbook, CDs, archive and more on this site.
Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004) was a prolific and respected film music composer, who worked in various styles and genres. He won an Oscar for Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and was nominated in six consecutive decades.
- January 1, 1
- New York City, New York, USA
- January 1, 1
- Ojai, California, USA
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) Two of the most recognisable elements of Otto Preminger’s adaptation of Nelson Algren’s novel about heroin addiction are the Saul Bass-designed opening credits and Bernstein’s swinging jazz theme, both indelible cinema moments that seem destined to forever be intertwined.
- The Ten Commandments (1956) Cecil B. DeMille’s only instruction to Bernstein was that his music for this Biblical epic shouldn’t sound like screaming jazz.
- The Magnificent Seven (1960) Keen not to get pigeonholed as a jazz composer, Bernstein asked Charlton Heston to help recommend him for westerns. He would go on to write perhaps the most famous theme from the genre, infusing the score with as much energy as possible to drive the narrative along.
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) For this acclaimed adaptation of the Harper Lee novel, Bernstein languished for weeks trying to come up with a sound for what is perhaps his greatest work, before realising he needed to go through the eyes of the children.
Feb 16, 2024 · He was a storyteller, a collaborator, and an artist who used music to elevate film to new heights. His legacy lives on in the countless scores that continue to move and inspire us, reminding us of the power of music to transcend the boundaries of film and resonate with audiences across generations.”. Later Career.
Learn about the life and career of Elmer Bernstein, one of the most influential and versatile composers of Hollywood history. From his classical roots to his jazz scores, from his Western anthems to his Oscar-nominated themes, discover how he created the soundtracks for iconic movies like The Magnificent Seven and To Kill a Mockingbird.
