James Horner
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Film composer James Horner has scored soundtracks as diverse as Titanic and Field of Dreams. His most recent effort, the sci-fi extravaganza Avatar, reunites him with James Cameron, the director who launched Horner's professional career. Today: the composer talks about scoring Avatar, which mixes traditional orchestral sounds with ethnic instrument. And, he tells us about the state of contemporary film composition.
Comments [7]
Wow1 Im not the only person who thought that! Horner is very talented, but The Perfect Storm, Troy, And Avatar have the same arrangements(a particular 3 note melody) that seems like Horner got bored and reduced himself to branding his production.
James Horner's music related to the Avatar movie is ubelievable! I'm in love with it, cannot stop listening to these fascinating, very compley melodies! Great-great job, James! You must be proud for the talent you've got! And as being Hungarian I'm also proud a bit, because James started to learn music from a Hungarian originated composer, György Ligeti.
I saw Avatar recently and loved the music - such a sexy mix of sweeping symphonic sounds and sultry south american styles.
On listening to James Horner, I would like to know how many people actually read Moby Dick. I have and it is not what everyone thinks. As to the music I can't help but think all these battle scenes in movies sound the same. James Horner's battle scene sounds as trite as all the rest.
Sorry, but the score excerpts sounds very predictable and derivative. I've never heard these specific scores, but it seems like I have, dozens of times.
In other words, doesn't sound original or intriguing.
Watching the movie in the theatre, I was reminded of the "Aliens" Score during the fight scenes.
My partner, who watched the film with me in the theatres, was reminded of the score from "Glory" because of the chanting and the chorus that resonates throughout the film.
We both think it was a fantastic movie and a great score to the movie.
Love James Horner's work--interestingly, I think his most underrated piece could be his score for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. A piece of music instantly recognizable to Trek fans, yet not immediately associated with Horner's name. I love how he incorporated a nautical feel to the music, given how the film was partly inspired by Moby Dick.
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