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Film & TV

From John Williams’ iconic Star Wars theme to Hanz Zimmer’s swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, music is an essential part of any film or TV programme. Film and TV scores transport audiences to new worlds and are composed to delight, frighten, entertain and move.

Before sound was a part of film, there would often be an in-house pianist or organist who provided accompanying music. Sometimes whole orchestras would play along with a film.

A pianist was present to perform at the Lumiere brother's first film screening in 1895.

Moderinst film scores were introduced to films in the 1950s. For example, Leonard Bernstein composed the score for Elia Kazan’s 1954 ‘On the Waterfront’ and it was reminiscent of works by Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland.

Directors often work closely with composers and for several different films or TV programmes. Such long-term director-composer relationships include Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann; Steven Spielberg and John Williams; Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer; Tim Burton and Danny Elfman; Peter Jackson and Howard Shore; Sergio Leone and Ennio Moricone.

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The Lord of the Rings - The Council of Elrond artwork

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Download 'The Lord of the Rings - The Council of Elrond' on iTunes

The Lord of the Rings - The Council of Elrond Howard Shore Conductor: Howard Shore Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists: Enya Record label: REPRISE Catalogue ID: 9362 Warner

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Download 'Gladiator - Main Theme' on iTunes

Gladiator - Main Theme Hans Zimmer

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Download 'Schindler's List - Theme' on iTunes

Schindler's List - Theme John Williams (b.1932 : U.S.A) Conductor: Kirill Karabits Ensemble: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Soloists: Nicola Benedetti Record label: DECCA Catalogue ID: 478 3529

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Download 'Star Wars - Main Theme' on iTunes

Star Wars - Main Theme John Williams (b.1932 : U.S.A) Conductor: John Williams Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra Record label: SONY Catalogue ID: SK 62788

Dances with Wolves - John Dunbar Theme artwork

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Dances with Wolves - John Dunbar Theme John Barry (1933-2011 : England) Conductor: Paul Bateman Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Third Party Catalogue ID: CFMCD 46

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Download 'Out of Africa - Main Title' on iTunes

Out of Africa - Main Title John Barry (1933-2011 : England) Conductor: David Arnold Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Third Party Catalogue ID: CFMCD 46

Pirates of the Caribbean - Theme artwork

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Pirates of the Caribbean - Theme Klaus Badelt (b.1967 : Germany) Conductor: Carl Davis Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Naxos Catalogue ID: 8 572111

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Download 'Chariots of Fire - Theme' on iTunes

Chariots of Fire - Theme Vangelis (b. 1943 : Greece) Conductor: David Parry Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: LPO Live Catalogue ID: LPO 0063

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Best movie soundtracks

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