Favorite movie music composers

The other day I was thinking about music in movies, how utterly important that aspect of the filmmaking process is. For instance, you can go here and see the famous shower scene from Psycho with, then without the musical score [composed by the great Bernard Hermann].

When I see a movie and I’m moved by the soundtrack, more often than not I’ll buy it. I listen to soundtracks a lot when I write. For focus. Solitude. Inspiration.

One of my all-time favorite soundtracks is from one of my all-time favorite movies: The Shawshank Redemption, music composed by Thomas Newman. A great selection from the movie is the music that accompanies the sequence when Andy escapes.

Thomas Newman: “The Shawshank Redemption” from The Shawshank Redemption

You can go here to see the music in the context of the scene. Note how Newman uses the brass to herald that moment where Andy thrusts his hands up toward the heavens, finally a free man.

Here is a feature on Wall-E that includes an interview with Newman:

Recently I have been listening to “Time” from Inception over and over again. Composed by Hans Zimmer, it accompanies the entire denouement sequence tracing Cobb’s journey from the airplane, through customs, baggage claim, then home. It’s absolutely hypnotic and fits the moment perfectly.

Here is a video with Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer:

Hans Zimmer: “Time” from Inception

You can go here to see the ending of Inception.

I invite you to post your favorite movie composers, soundtracks, and those special cinematic moments where the music perfectly matches what is transpiring on film.

Comment Archive