Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

February 25, 1908 in Richmond, IN

Death

:

February 27, 2000 in San Diego, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

George Duning was an American composer who was born on February 25, 1908, in Richmond, Indiana. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Duning started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and later studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. After completing his studies, Duning moved to New York City and started working as a pianist and arranger for various radio programs. He also worked as a staff arranger for the music publisher Robbins Music Corporation. In the 1930s, Duning started composing music for films and worked for various studios, including Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, and RKO Pictures. Duning's early film scores were mostly for B-movies and low-budget films. However, he soon gained recognition for his work and started composing music for more prestigious films. In 1944, he composed the score for the film "Cover Girl," which starred Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Duning's score was praised for its romantic and melodic themes. In the 1950s, Duning continued to compose music for films and also worked on television shows. He composed the theme music for the popular TV series "The Big Valley" and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." He also composed music for the films "From Here to Eternity," "Picnic," and "The Eddy Duchin Story." One of Duning's most famous film scores was for the 1955 film "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T." The film was a musical fantasy directed by Dr. Seuss and featured a score that was both whimsical and haunting. Duning's music perfectly captured the surreal and dreamlike quality of the film. Duning's music was known for its lush orchestration and romantic themes. He often used strings and woodwinds to create a warm and emotional sound. His music was also influenced by jazz and popular music, and he often incorporated these elements into his scores. In addition to his work in film and television, Duning also composed concert music. He wrote several pieces for orchestra, including a symphony and a concerto for piano and orchestra. He also wrote chamber music and songs. Duning retired from composing in the 1970s and passed away on February 27, 2000, at the age of 92. He left behind a legacy of beautiful and memorable music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences today.

More....