Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 21, 1945 in Kansas City, MO

Death

:

November 8, 2006 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

Basil Poledouris was a renowned American composer of classical music, best known for his work in film and television. He was born on August 21, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Greek immigrant parents. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a musician. Poledouris grew up in Southern California, where he developed a love for music at an early age. Poledouris began his musical education at the age of seven, studying piano and violin. He later attended the University of Southern California, where he studied composition with Miklós Rózsa, a Hungarian-born composer who was known for his work in film. Poledouris also studied with other notable composers, including Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Leonard Rosenman. Poledouris began his career in the late 1960s, composing music for television shows such as "Ironside" and "The Big Valley." He also worked on several low-budget films, including "The House of Seven Corpses" and "The Touch of Satan." However, it was his work on the 1982 film "Conan the Barbarian" that brought him widespread recognition. "Conan the Barbarian" was directed by John Milius and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role. Poledouris's score for the film was epic and sweeping, featuring a full orchestra and choir. The score was so successful that it earned Poledouris his first Academy Award nomination. Poledouris went on to compose music for several other films, including "RoboCop," "Free Willy," and "Starship Troopers." He also worked on several television shows, including "Lonesome Dove" and "The Blue and the Gray." In addition to his work in film and television, Poledouris also composed concert music, including a symphony and several chamber works. One of Poledouris's most notable works was his score for the 1997 film "The Hunt for Red October." The film, which was based on the novel by Tom Clancy, starred Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. Poledouris's score for the film was tense and suspenseful, featuring a mix of orchestral and electronic elements. The score earned Poledouris his second Academy Award nomination. Another notable work by Poledouris was his score for the 1995 film "Les Miserables." The film, which was based on the novel by Victor Hugo, starred Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush. Poledouris's score for the film was emotional and powerful, featuring a mix of orchestral and choral elements. The score earned Poledouris his third Academy Award nomination. Poledouris continued to work in film and television throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He composed music for films such as "The Jungle Book," "For Love of the Game," and "The Legend of Butch and Sundance." He also worked on television shows such as "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" and "The Outer Limits." Poledouris was known for his ability to create music that was both emotional and powerful. His scores often featured a mix of orchestral and choral elements, and he was known for his use of percussion and brass instruments. He was also known for his ability to create memorable themes, such as the main theme from "Conan the Barbarian." Poledouris passed away on November 8, 2006, at the age of 61. He left behind a legacy of memorable music, and his work continues to be celebrated by fans of classical music and film music alike.

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