Names and acts like Goblin, Tangerine Dream, Ennio Morricone and Bernard Herrmann are often just as famous as the direcetors they worked for. There are so many classic horror themes from all over the world, many of which are just as recognizable as the movie they were made for. With Goblin touring around North America this year for the first time, let's take a look at our favorite horror composers. Which is yours?
Impossible to call, Love them all. Donaggio's Carrie & Don't Look Now are sublime Morricone's The Thing Goldsmith's The Omen Manfredini's contribution to the Friday series also deserves a mention. Couldn't choose a favourite.
I'll go with Christopher Young, since he composed Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II... which probably get more CD plays than any other soundtrack in my collection. I love a lot of "horror" composers, but none quite hit me like those two scores.
Don't know who I'd vote for yet, but I did want to point out that James Bernard should probably be on this list considering how defining his contributions were. I'm really torn on this one. Morricone is my favorite composer out of all of them, but I tend to think that his western and crime scores are far more interesting than his horror scores. I think Shore's Videodrome and Crash are exceptional, but I'm rather indifferent to most of his other stuff. I'd probably say that Carpenter's scores are the best, but only in context of the films. I don't think they hold up as well when listened to alone. Likewise for Goblin's Argento scores. So, after writing all this down, I think I'd go with Bernard Hermann, but James Bernard would come in a close second. Or maybe Wendy Carlos just for Shining. Aw, damn, I really don't know. I'm just going with Hermann
This is impossible to answer, rhett.... I love that you included Paul Zaza, because I love his scores in My Bloody Valentine, Curtains, and Prom Night! I'm going to have to think about this one for a little bit... too hard to decide at the moment. I'm kinda shocked no one has voted for Pino Donaggio.
I hard to go with Bernard Herrmann as he is my personal favorite film composer.I would add to this list James Bernard,the wonderful India born British composer who scored many of Hammer Films greatest pictures.Check out his stuff,marvelous !
Morricone has written some absolute beautiful scores for the genre - Orca, Exorcist II: The Heretic, and What Have You Done to Solange?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN4pmxpGJNY Jerry Goldsmith's score for The Omen is of course a classic, but I've always had a soft spot for the theme from Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx2-Hrxks1o I also have a soft spot for this "fanfare of terror" type of composition by Harry Sukman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BLfXeib3IA ...And I could name dousins more... But, in terms of sheer terror, nothing beats John Carpenter's score for Halloween, so my vote goes to him.
Went with Goblin, followed very closely behind by Tangerine Dream and John Carpenter. This was a tough one though as I love every composer in the list.
Lots of good ones not on that list. Alan Howarth, Simon Boswell, Michel Rubini, Wendy/Walter Carlos, Jay Chattaway, John Harrison, Rick Wakeman, Harry Bromley Davenport, Guido De Angelis, Walter Rizzati... But yeah, John Carpenter...followed closely by Brad Fiedel and Tangerine Dream.
Another worthy composer to add would be James Bernard, who did some of the best Hammer Films. Still, I would have to say John Carpenter is probably my favorite.
Great poll. For me, Carpenter barely edges out Goldsmith, who's scores I absolutely love (especially Basic Instinct, The Omen, Poltergeist and Gremlins). I also am a Tangerine Dream fan and absolutely love that they scored Grand Theft Auto 5.
Okay I've thought about it, Pino Donaggio takes it. His scores for Carrie, Dressed to Kill, & Don't Look Now are beautiful and haunting. I also love his score for Blow Out. other favorites on that list are definitely Bernard Hermann, Goblin, and John Carpenter.
^ Agreed: it's Pino. But... don't forget The Howling!!! And Piranha!!! But, largely, let's do forget Trauma. Okay?
I went with Goblin but might lean to Carpenter or Morricone on a different day. It's that close. Like most have said, all of these guys have done some sensational work. Glass's Candyman score is a favorite. But I hate his score for Browning's Dracula. I also hate Donaggio's goofy Tourist Trap score, which kept him out of consideration for my top spot. Most of his other work is fantastic.
