Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 4, 1912 in Philadelphia, PA

Death

:

August 9, 2004 in Van Nuys, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

David Raksin was an American composer of classical music, best known for his film scores. He was born on August 4, 1912, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. His father was a violinist and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. Raksin showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Raksin's family moved to New York City when he was a child, and he continued his musical education there. He studied piano with Isidor Philipp and composition with Arnold Schoenberg, who was a major influence on his work. Raksin also studied at the Juilliard School of Music and the New School for Social Research. In the 1930s, Raksin began working as a composer and arranger for radio and theater productions. He also wrote music for dance companies and worked as a conductor for the New York City Ballet. In 1937, he moved to Hollywood to work in the film industry. Raksin's first major film score was for the 1944 film "Laura," which became one of his most famous works. The film's theme song, "Laura," became a hit and has since become a jazz standard. Raksin's other notable film scores include "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952), "Forever Amber" (1947), and "The Day After Trinity" (1980). In addition to his film work, Raksin also composed classical music. His works include a piano concerto, a violin concerto, and a symphony. He also wrote music for the ballet and for chamber ensembles. Raksin was known for his use of melody and his ability to create memorable themes. He was also known for his use of jazz and other popular music styles in his compositions. His work has been praised for its emotional depth and its ability to capture the mood of a film or scene. Raksin continued to work in the film industry until his death in 2004. He was honored with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award nomination for his score for "The Bad and the Beautiful." He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992. David Raksin's legacy as a composer of classical music and film scores continues to be celebrated today. His work has been performed by orchestras around the world, and his film scores are still beloved by audiences and musicians alike.

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