Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 10, 1929 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

July 21, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

Jerry Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor who was born on February 10, 1929, in Pasadena, California. He was the son of Tessa and Morris Goldsmith, who were both immigrants from Russia. Goldsmith grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a pianist and his father being a structural engineer who played the violin. Goldsmith started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Goldsmith attended the University of Southern California, where he studied music composition under Miklós Rózsa, a Hungarian composer who was known for his work in film scores. Goldsmith graduated from USC in 1950 and started working as a clerk at CBS Radio in Los Angeles. He later became a staff composer at CBS, where he worked on various radio and television programs. Goldsmith's breakthrough came in 1960 when he composed the score for the film "The Time Machine." The score was well-received and earned Goldsmith his first Academy Award nomination. He went on to compose scores for numerous films, including "Planet of the Apes," "Patton," "Chinatown," "The Omen," "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," and "Basic Instinct." Goldsmith was known for his versatility as a composer and his ability to create unique and memorable scores for a wide range of films. He was also known for his use of unconventional instruments and techniques in his compositions. For example, in the score for "Planet of the Apes," Goldsmith used a prepared piano, which involved placing various objects on the strings of the piano to create unusual sounds. Goldsmith's work in film music earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He received a total of 18 Academy Award nominations, winning one for his score for "The Omen" in 1977. He also won four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award. In addition to his work in film music, Goldsmith also composed music for television shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," and "Star Trek: Voyager." He also composed concert music, including a symphony and a piano concerto. Goldsmith continued to work in film music until his death in 2004. His final score was for the film "Looney Tunes: Back in Action," which was released posthumously. Goldsmith's legacy as a composer and his contributions to the world of film music continue to be celebrated and recognized today.

More....