Trinity of film composers

[stargazer01]

Someone mentioned this in another thread and I think it's a good topic for its own thread.

So, Who are your favorite Top 3 film composers? I guess you can include TV as well. Shows like Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, and even Avatar The Last Airbender have great music.


For me it's probably John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith and... Vangelis or Hans Zimmer or Murray Gold (from Doctor Who). Really not sure yet who my third one is. I guess I give it to Murray Gold because I just adore his scores and songs for the show so much and even bought the CDs.

I really think Jerry Goldsmith is underrated. Just listening to his scores for all the many movies he did, wows me. He was just as good as Williams, IMO, but Williams is more famous.


You can listen to some of his best work here. So good! I really love film scores. Can make a movie better.

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the...rry-goldsmith/

[Kirby101]

Max Steiner, Bernard Hermann, John Williams.

[Nate Grey]

John Williams, Silvestri, Zimmer.

TV? Joel Goldsmith (RIP), Christophe Beck, and Joseph LoDuca.

[K7P5V]

No list is complete without Ennio Morricone!

[Cyke]

Williams, Goldsmith, and Silvestri for me. I can't say I'm much of a fan of Zimmer, though I know that's blasphemy on a comic board.

Honorable mention goes to Michael Giacchino, who might be too junior but I could easily see him one day hitting Big 3 status.

James Horner would be fine if he didn't have that history of reusing his own work. Alas, RIP.

I really think Jerry Goldsmith is underrated. Just listening to his scores for all the many movies he did, wows me. He was just as good as Williams, IMO, but Williams is more famous.

I really wish there was a better quality version of this clip:



I love the top comment, though: "It's like a Jedi commanding a Starfleet ship."

No list is complete without Ennio Morricone!

When I think of a Big 3, I think of like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, or Cap, Thor, and Iron Man, or even in the 90s with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.

For me, Morricone is akin to Spider-Man or Wolverine -- formidable enough and unique enough to stand on his own without needing to be a part of a Big 3. Morricone is so different than the others that I consider him in his own class.

[Jekyll]

Dear lord, only 3??!!! Yikes!

I will go with: John Williams, John Powell, & Michael Kamen.

I am glad to see Goldsmith getting some love as he is in my top five. Others considered: Elfman, Silvestri, and Horner.

[green_garnish]

Herrmann, Morricone and Elfman. Hands down.

[Mace Dolex]

Jerry Goldsmith; Hans Zimmer; John Powell

honorable mentions: Alan Silvestri; Christopher Young; Danny Elfman (late 80's early 90's)

I really think Jerry Goldsmith is underrated. Just listening to his scores for all the many movies he did, wows me. He was just as good as Williams, IMO, but Williams is more famous.

Jerry Goldsmith had more variety and could adapt easily whether its orchestra or synthesizer to suit his films, I know many have a hard on for John Williams but IMO he was stuck relying on orchestras and although he's composed many signature character themes his incidental music is dull and uninspired.

[Jekyll]

Jerry Goldsmith; Hans Zimmer; John Powell

honorable mentions: Alan Silvestri; Christopher Young; Danny Elfman (late 80's early 90's)


Jerry Goldsmith had more variety and could adapt easily whether its orchestra or synthesizer to suit his films, I know many have a hard on for John Williams but IMO he was stuck relying on orchestras and although he's composed many signature character themes his incidental music is dull and uninspired.

Gah John Powell!!! I may have to alter my list because I love Powell. Completely agree on Goldsmith.

Regarding Williams, I see your point but would also ask to consider a few things. He is mostly known for his orchestral works because they are the most recognized by the casual listener. He actually has more variety than folks credit him for but it’s for films that aren’t as beloved or well known. His scores for JFK and Selena (and even minority report) for example actually use quite a bit of electronics with orchestra . Those scores are all with Spielberg who trusts John and probably let’s him experiment more than other filmmakers.

I don’t think he’s had the opportunity to explore as much as the other composers you mention because most filmmakers want the “classic John Williams” so to speak.

[Valentis]

John Williams
James Horner
Michael Giacchino

[Mace Dolex]

Regarding Williams, I see your point but would also ask to consider a few things. He is mostly known for his orchestral works because they are the most recognized by the casual listener. He actually has more variety than folks credit him for but it’s for films that aren’t as beloved or well known. His scores for JFK and Selena (and even minority report) for example actually use quite a bit of electronics with orchestra . Those scores are all with Spielberg who trusts John and probably let’s him experiment more than other filmmakers.

I don’t think he’s had the opportunity to explore as much as the other composers you mention because most filmmakers want the “classic John Williams” so to speak.

I guess you make a good point I've just heard Williams' more recognizable work like Jaws, Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and I haven't seen all of Spielberg's films to hear more variety.

[Dav85]

John Williams
Basil Poledouris
Bernard Herrmann

Special mentions: John Carpenter and Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

[WestPhillyPunisher]

John Williams (favorite film music score: Superman)
Danny Elfman (favorite film music score: Batman)
James Horner (favorite film music score: Star Trek II)

[Timothy Hunter]

I still contend to this very day that Peter Gabriel orchostrated the best soundtrack for a film ever for The Last Temptation of Christ.

For a close second I'd put Popol Vuh who composed the music for pretty much every 70s-80s Werner Herzog movie.

And for third I'd put Tangerine Dream who did Thief, Strange Behavior, and Risky Business.