Best classical score ever in a film?

Question

This is probably going to be dominated by John Williams, but, that's deservedly so. There is no question he is the greatest film composer who ever lived. My vote goes for Superman, but I would also throw in James Horner's Braveheart score, which is incredible and , of course, Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Answer 1

Danny Elfman
He scored a lot of Tim Burton movies.

In 1985 Elfman met fledgling filmmaker Burton; after collaborating on the score to the hit Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, they reunited frequently in the years to come, with Elfman composing the music to later Burton projects including Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attacks! and the Grammy-winning Batman. In 1993 Elfman also scored the Burton-produced Nightmare Before Christmas, dubbing the vocals of the animated musical's lead character Jack Skellington. Outside of Burton's sphere of influence, Elfman also scored a number of other features, most of them strange fables such as Darkman, Dick Tracy, Army of Darkness and The Frighteners; in 1997, he composed the music for Men in Black, the summer's biggest hit. Among his television work: the theme song to The Simpsons. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Answer 2

Many John Williams' scores are simply put awesome, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Munich, Jurassic Park, Jaws and Superman.

Horner's score for Troy is largely overrated.

While Hanz Zimmer's scores for Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean are more then adequate.

I really like the score for Road to Perdition and the Ninth Gate, although their composers ellude me.

Answer 3

I don't know...I always loved Ennio Morricone's stuff, such as The Good The Bad The Ugly The Mission Once Upon A Time in America A fistful Of Dollars I also really liked a piece of music called Rusticana Cavallerina Intermezzo- from the opening credits of Raging Bull oh yeah- I can't forget Conan the Barbarian- yikes!!!

Answer 4

I'd actually have to say Platoon's Adagio For Strings by Samuel Barber. That movie at some times can be really very sad and I think Barber's Adagio really does set the mood for it perfectly and adds to the scenes that it's played in. Although this isn't a extremely famous composer, this is a good piece.

Answer 5

I agree that John Williams is the king of original movie scores but the collection of pieces brought together (and in some cases rearraged for new instruments) by Stanley Kubrick in his short career is incredible.

Answer 6

Braveheart (James Horner) and Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Howard Shore), they go so well with the movies.

Answer 7

John Williams: For Superman.

Jerry Goldsmith: He did most of the Star Trek Movies and "ALIEN". He did the original "Omen" score too.

Answer 8

Star Wars Episode IV. Hands down.

Just think of Star Wars with a late 70's disco sound-effects soundtrack. It would have sucked.

It's the score that put classical music back in modern motion pictures.

Answer 9

OK, I know this is not a score original for a movie, but Berlioz in the opening of the Shining with Jack Nicholson.

Answer 10

I would definitely pick Howard Shore and the score for Lord of the Rings.