Remembering Elmer Bernstein
His was the music that accompanied the child-like innocence conveyed so beautifully in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and his famous march help put the spring in the step of the otherwise lethargic horses featured in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. In the late 1950’s, composer Elmer Bernstein went from being gray-listed to Hollywood’s A-list after scoring Cecil B. DeMille’s THE TEN COMMANDMENTS; a Wagnerian film score which showcased the 34-year-old composer’s ability to write dramatic and memorable melodies. Often credited alongside fellow film composer Alex North for infusing jazz into film scores, Bernstein found himself writing music for comedies after the hugely successful NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE debuted in 1978. The cult favorite HEAVY METAL soon followed, as did the mega hit GHOSTBUSTERS in 1984. Bernstein scored MY LEFT FOOT free of charge in 1989, and wrote a heart-wrenching score for 2002’s FAR FROM HEAVEN; a score that proved to be the composer’s swansong. Bernstein will be remembered for his evocative use of the French instrument known as the Ondes Martenot, and for writing music for some of the most entertaining films to have ever come out of Hollywood.
1.) Main Title from THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Music by Elmer Bernstein
2.) Theme from GHOSTBUSTERS
Music by Elmer Bernstein
3.) Main Title from FAR FROM HEAVEN
Music by Elmer Bernstein
4.) Suite from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Music by Elmer Bernstein
5.) “The Flight” from HEAVY METAL
Music by Elmer Bernstein
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