FABULOUS FILM MUSIC

The first time the Lumière Brothers projected their flickering images onto a screen, there was musical accompaniment. In the early days it was most often a pianist playing “stock” pieces, selected to be compatible with what was being shown. Soon after the pictures began to talk, Max Steiner is credited with starting the tradition of creating original compositions for films. Other esteemed composers and songwriters were hired by the studios and they created a rich legacy of marvelous symphonic music. Music that is equally enjoyable on and off the screen. On this page is a selection of works either from or inspired by film music. We have more fantastic film music on the pages dedicated to the composers Elliot Goldenthal, Bernard Herrmann, Jerome Moross and David Shire.

♫ "That's Entertainment III" End Title & Credits

Arranged by Marc Shaiman, Orchestrated by Larry Blank

INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2,3,2 / AATTB / 4,4,4(IV.=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Drums, Perc:[SusCym, Xylo, Bells, Chimes, Bell Plate] / Gtr, 2 Pianos, Harp / Strings / NOTE: WW/Sax doubles possible.

♫ "The Wizard of Oz" Cyclone

Music by Herbert Stothart, George Bassman and George Stoll
Re-orchestration by Larry Wilcox, Adapted for Symphony by Larry Blank

INSTRUMENTATION: R1: Fl, R2: Picc, R3: Ob, R4: Ob2,EH, R5: Cl, R6: Cl, R7: Cl,BsCl, 2 Bsn / 4,3,3(III.=BsTbn),1 / Timp, Perc:[Xylo, SusCym, Bells, Vibes] / Drs; Hp, Pno / Strings (Vlns, Vla, Vc, Bs)

♫ Confetti

From the 1956 MGM motion picture Forever, Darling, the composer reusing a theme from his Oscar Award-winning score, Lili

Composed by Bronislau Kaper

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(3=Picc).2.EH.EbCl.2.3/ 4.3.3.1/ Timp, Perc:[SnDr. Xylo. Glock] / Harp, Celeste, Pno. Guitar / 6.5.4.4.3

♫ "Easy to Love" Symphonic Fantasy

From the David Rubinoff collection, the song “Easy to Love” from the MGM film Born to Dance reimagined in a Russian Symphonic style.

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

INSTRUMENTATION: 3(III.=Picc),3,3(III.=BsCl),3 / Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2 (dbls BbClar, BsCl, Alto 2), 2 Tenor Sax (both dbl BbClar) / 4,3,3,1 / Perc1:[Timp, Bells, Gong, SusCym], Perc2:[DrumSet, Vibes, Bells, Chimes] / Harp, Piano / Strings

♫ "Raintree County" Overture

The Overture from the 1957 MGM film Raintree County starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Marie Saint and Lee Marvin. Johnny Green was an American composer, pianist, conductor and arranger. After a long and distinguished career on Broadway, with Paramount Pictures (1930-1933), on radio, as dance-band conductor and other musical ventures, he wound up at MGM and with arranger Conrad Salinger changed the sound of the MGM Symphony Orchestra. He was nominated for an Oscar 13 times—one of those nominations was for his original score for Raintree County—and won for conducting the orchestra for the films An American in Paris, Easter Parade, West Side Story and Oliver!

Composed by Johnny Green

INSTRUMENTATION: 2(both=Picc).1(=EH).3(2=EbCl.3=BsCl).2 / 4.3.3.1 / Timp. Perc(6)[Crash Cymbal, SusCym, BsDr, Glock, Sm SnDr, Xylo, Woodblock, JimJik] / 2Harps. Piano / 6.5.4.4.3

♫ "The Best Years of Our Lives" Theme and Exit Music

Composed by Hugo Friedhofer

INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2(II.=EH),2,2 / 4.3.3.1 / Timp, Perc:[Cymbal, Xylophone, Triangle] / Harp, Celeste, Rhythm Bass / 6.5.4.4.2

♫ The Boy Next Door

An instrumental version of the song from the classic MGM film Meet Me in St. Louis

Music and Lyrics by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane

INSTRUMENTATION: 2.1.EH.2.2 / 4.3.3.1 / Timp, Perc(3):[Cymbal, Xylophone, Triangle] / Harp. Celeste. Rhythm Bass / 6.5.4.4.2