On April 3rd, National Film Score Day recognizes the musical masterpieces called “Film Scores” and, more specifically, the very talented composers who create them.
As the opening scenes of a long-anticipated movie begin flickering across the screen, a rising cadence undulates through the theater setting the mood. A musical note plays, then two. Soon the theater fills with a beautifully layered orchestral music masterwork. This musical accompaniment to the film you are watching is called the “Film Score.”
Imagine your favorite film without a few well-placed notes enhancing the emotion of a dramatic on-screen exchange. Or a chase scene without rousing orchestral music elevating the intensity. Would Star Wars, Jaws, The Lord of the Rings films, or the Harry Potter films be the same without their complementary musical scores? Without the film score, would we cower so easily in fear from our seats? Would our imaginations so eagerly suspend from reality? Music heightens emotions. It also sharpens our senses and focuses our attention. Without a doubt, the film score is the fiery soul of a film.
We quickly recognize our favorite movies throughout film history merely by a few notes of a film’s orchestral soundtrack. Perennial classics and modern-day blockbusters call to us when we hear the Film Scores we love most. Despite years or decades, those chords often ignite a rush of fond memories. And with each new film released, a talented composer creates another magnificent work of musical art—each one eliciting a new set of lasting movie memories.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFilmScoreDay
Decades of accomplished composers from Miklós Rózsa, Shirley Walker, Bernard Herrmann, and Leonard Bernstein to John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Rachel Portman, and Michael Giacchino – hundreds more too numerous to name – have created lifetimes of masterworks.
Please share with us your most memorable film score moments. Is it John Williams’ sweeping film scores for Star Wars and Harry Potter? Jerry Goldsmith’s music for Rudy, Alien, Hoosiers, or Star Trek? James Horner’s score for Titanic, Avatar, or Field of Dreams?
Use #NationalFilmScoreDay to share your fond movie music memories on social media.URL: http://moviescoreradio.com
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NATIONAL FILM SCORE DAY HISTORY
Jeffrey D. Kern from Movie Scores and More Radio founded National Film Score Day to celebrate and highlight the talented composers’ tireless achievements. The day also honors their treasured musical masterworks that bring so much joy to moviegoers around the globe!
Why April 3rd?
On April 3, 1942, United Artists released Alexander Korda’s film The Jungle Book. The legendary composer, Miklós Rózsa, created the orchestral score. The following year, they published a recording made directly from the soundtrack in its entirety on a 78-RPM record album with Sabu’s narration, the film’s star. The Jungle Book soundtrack became the first commercial recording of a non-musical U.S. film’s orchestral score ever to be released.
The album experienced phenomenal success.On April 3rd, National Film Score Day commemorates the release date of the first commercial recording of a non-musical U.S. film’s orchestral score – The Jungle Book originally premiered in 1942!