Role

:

Composer Performer

Death

:

November 24, 2003 in New York City, NY

 

Michael Small was an American composer who was born on May 30, 1939, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Small began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition and orchestration. Small began his career as a composer in the 1960s, working on television shows such as The Nurses and The Doctors and the Nurses. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to create music that enhanced the emotional impact of a scene. In 1968, he composed the score for the film The Sterile Cuckoo, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. Small continued to work on films throughout the 1970s, composing scores for movies such as Klute, The Parallax View, and Marathon Man. His music was known for its haunting melodies and use of unconventional instruments, such as the harpsichord and the synthesizer. In 1976, he received his second Academy Award nomination for his work on the film The Marathon Man. Small's most famous work is arguably his score for the 1980 film The Postman Always Rings Twice. The film, which starred Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange, was a critical and commercial success, and Small's score was praised for its sensuality and intensity. The score featured a prominent use of the saxophone, which became a signature sound for Small. Small continued to work on films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, composing scores for movies such as Jaws: The Revenge, The Believers, and The Russia House. He also worked on television shows, including the popular series thirtysomething. In 1995, he composed the score for the film The Trigger Effect, which was his last major work before his death. Michael Small passed away on November 24, 2003, at the age of 64. He left behind a legacy of memorable and emotionally powerful music that continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike. His work has been praised for its ability to enhance the emotional impact of a scene and for its innovative use of instruments and musical styles. Small's contributions to the world of film and television music have made him one of the most respected and influential composers of his generation.

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