Elmer Bernstein

American composer and conductor (1922-2004)

Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) was an American composer and conductor. He is best known for his many movie soundtracks.

Elmer Bernstein
Bernstein guest conducting the U.S. Air Force Band in 1981
Bernstein guest conducting the U.S. Air Force Band in 1981
Background information
Born(1922-04-04)April 4, 1922
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 18, 2004(2004-08-18) (aged 82)
Ojai, California, U.S.
GenresFilm scores
Occupation(s)Composer, conductor, songwriter
Years active1951–2002

His musical career last for fifty years, he composed music for over one hundred movies and television shows. His most popular works include the scores to The Magnificent Seven, The Ten Commandments, The Great Escape, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ghostbusters, The Black Cauldron and The Rookies.

Influences change

Bernstein stated composers like Benny Goodman, Dimitri Tiomkin, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Jakob Gimpel, Alfred Newman, Richard Wagner, Roger Sessions, Jimmie Lunceford, Victor Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Franz Waxman and Max Steiner as influences.

Legacy change

Those who consider Bernstein on their careers include James Newton Howard, Alan Menken, Joel McNeely, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Georges Delerue, John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, Dick Hyman, Hans Zimmer, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Trevor Jones, Mark Isham, Henry Jackman, Mark Mancina, Germaine Franco, Bear McCreary, Ennio Morricone, Danny Elfman, Randy Newman, Randy Edelman, John Debney, Harry Gregson-Williams, Joseph Trapanese, Rupert Gregson-Williams, David Newman, Thomas Newman, Michael Kamen, John Powell and Brian Tyler.

Bernstein died of cancer on August 18, 2004.[1]

References change

  1. "Great Escape composer dies at 82" BBC News, 19 August 2004

Other websites change