Classic FM

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.