Reply To: James Horner
In 3 days, it will be 10 years since James Horner died.
Would be great if we used this time to reminisce a bit.
OK, I indulge you.
How did you discover Horner?
It was a two punch in the early 1980s. I saw WOLFEN (on VHS with a few friends) and was very impressed with the music by this for me “new” name. A friend of mine had just bought the LP for STAR TREK II (a movie I’d soon see in the theater), which was also composed by this “James Horner” guy. I thought both scores were very good. The music was exciting, fresh… Horner had a clear, distinct voice.
So I had to get STAR TREK II, and I also got soon after BRAINSTORM and GORKY PARK (on LP.) I looked for WOLFEN, but could not find it (that was before the Internet could have told me that no such soundtrack release existed then).
What’s your general take on his work?
I very much like his work. Horner is an interesting case; no other film composer I know has been accused more of recycling his own material or “lifting” from others, yet, and that is the decisive factor for me, his music always sounds like Horner. He incorporates elements and makes them his own. Famous example: WILLOW. Did he “lift” or “steal” from Schumann’s Symphony No. 3? I don’t know, fact is, there is definitely a melodic similarity. However, I didn’t even notice that before the Internet years ago pointed it out. Despite the fact that I knew of course Schumann’s symphony. Because the way he used the material, it sounds like Horner, not like Schumann. I have no trouble with composers recycling material, melodies or whatever, from others or themselves. Classical composers do this all the time. Does the opening of ALIENS sound like Khachaturian Adagio from Gayaneh was incorporated? Sure, but does ALIENS sound like Gayaneh? No, not at all. And even the way Horner used the Adagio puts quite a spin on it… the percussion and echoplex makes it sound dark and threatening.
How do you rank him among your favourite composers?
I’m not big on “ranking”… he is definitely a favorite composer of mine. When he started out, I was very excited about his music. In later years, he became more mellow and “romantic”, I think I tend to prefer some of his more aggressive, or experimental stuff, though I certainly admit that I love the epic sweep he brought to LEGENDS OF THE FALL and BRAVEHEART… two more favorites of mine. ALIENS is for me one of my favorite Horner scores, it’s a bit like a musical nightmare.
Do you remember where you were when you got the news about his death?
Yes, I remember very well where I was and what I did. I was in my car on my way to work. I just turned on the news on the radio when they said something about a plane crash and that James Horner may have been in that plane. It was really like in the movies…. you turn on the radio and it immediately starts spouting the important news you are interested in. I didn’t catch the beginning of the news, so I thought: “What? Plane crash? James Horner?” At first I thought he may have been a passenger in a commercial flight. Then over the day I realized the sad news that James Horner had died in a plane crash. Was a sad day, I always enjoyed his music.
And – of course – more top 5 lists are welcome.
Did one. Could do another one. 🙂