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The Silent Era
During the silent era, films music is provided by each individual theater. In the later case, either a pianist improvises to the film or a small ensemble of musicians performs a classical piece, in the background, as the film plays. In 1929 the ability to synchronize music and sound became possible, and composers were commissioned by Hollywood to write new material for the movies. -
Golden Age
The golden age was a unique period in history of film scoring. Exploding with creativity, music written for the movies consistently matches the artistry of the films themselves. Composers come from backgrounds in concert music, and exclusively write orchestral pieces. One of it's most important influential composers was Max Steiner making extensive use leitmotif in 1933 score for "King Kong" -
Film Music Branches Out
This was a major step forward for film music, moving Hollywood film scoring away from its prior, exclusively European sound. Studios begin asking composers to write original songs for their films, both for promotional purposes via radio play and later on for ancillary revenue in the form of soundtrack albums.The studio system begins to dissolve. Composers transition from being employed by the studio to being freelance creatives. -
Pop, Jazz and Westerns
The advent of pop, jazz, and western music genres significantly impacted the soundtracks of movies, each bringing its unique flavor to the cinematic experience. These musical genres not only entertained audiences but also enriched the storytelling of movies, reflecting cultural trends and capturing the essence of different eras and settings on screen. -
Synths and John Williams
In the 1970s New Hollywood era, film music heads in two concurrent, divergent directions with the incorporation of synthesizers and a return to classic scoring. In 1977 John Williams single-handedly revives the sound of golden age Hollywood with his score for Star Wars. The film’s soundtrack becomes one of the highest-selling non-pop records of all time.