The Most Under-Appreciated Music Genre

Soundtracks (as in the musical score of movies) are the life and breath of modern classical orchestra. Think about it. Without music in film, orchestral music would’ve probably died down to the niche interest of a few who enjoy concerts for nostalgia (in fact, that is basically what’s happen anyway). While rock music has taken most of the world round for a dazing fast-pace thrill-seeking lifestyle, Soundtracks have been there to do more with old forms of music—to take orchestra to the next level.

Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Handel may have been founders of classical orchestral music, but Williams, Elfman, Goldsmith and Shore took it to a whole new level. The composers of the last century did some of the most amazing musical works known in history, and history will reward them someday. While most think of a movie soundtrack as a mere accompaniment to motion-picture entertainment, there are some already who see that the music may often out-live the popularity and circulation of the movie it belonged to.

It is unfortunate that so many of the greats are drawing to the end of their careers (and lives). John Williams is up in age, Jerry Goldsmith has past away, among others that are near retirement. Fortunately, most film composers have a longer career than other professions in the movie business, but there will come a time when even Hans Zimmer writes his last epic piece. Hope that day will not come too soon.

The good news is most of these composers take on apprentices at one time or other. Hans seems to have one constantly because there are so many spin-offs from him. These, and other omposers rising up on their own, give hope for the future of this genre.

Here’s some of the best of recent scores:

• Planet Earth (documentary)

• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

• Wall•E

• Transformers the Movie

• Pirates of the Caribbean (any of the three films’) 

• National Treasure 2

• Batman Begins

• Lord of the Rings (any of the three films’)

• Superman Returns