Korngold’s Hollywood Legacy

A child prodigy who became a composer for both the concert stage and the big screen, Erich Wolfgang Korngold possessed some of the rare gifts held only by the masters. Other composers have also been fluent in forms from opera to chamber music, but what was unique about this Austrian-American immigrant was his ability to transcend genres and forms while maintaining his own trademark sound.

One of the very few composers to be known both in the concert and film music fields, he upheld his late Romantic training throughout his film composing career, influencing some of the most famous film composers (for example, John Williams) of all time.

One of many Jews who became increasingly aware of how dangerous it was in Europe at the time, Korngold left for America in 1934, encouraged to follow a career as a film composer. He was one of the first composers to practice “Mickey-Mousing,” a style of film music composition that commands the music to react to every action on the screen. It became popular in early cartoons—hence the name.

Perhaps his greatest work is his Oscar-winner film score for The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). Film music scholars and historians regard it among the greatest film scores of all time.

 

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

First fight scene:

The final duel:

 

The legendary John Williams is one of the only living composers still using elements of Mickey-Mousing in his film scores. Notice how the drama on screen is constantly maintained in the music.

John Williams: Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999)

First lightsaber duel:

Final lightsaber fight:

 

In fact, Korngold was a model for John Williams in many ways. Have a listen to Korngold’s main theme for Kings Row and notice its peculiar similarity to the Star Wars and Superman main themes.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Kings Row (1942)

Opening title:

John Williams: Star Wars (1977)

Main theme:

John Williams: Superman (1978)

Main theme:

 

In addition to Korngold’s knack for scoring drama, he had a craft for constructing melodies. Most composers of film and concert music saved their best tunes for the big screen—but not Korngold. Have a listen to the gorgeous melody that opens his Violin Concerto in D Major. The NJSO will be performing this piece this weekend.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto

Hear Korngold's Violin Concerto on Friday, January 26, at NJPAC in Newark; Saturday, January 27, at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank and Sunday, January 28, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

» Concert info and tickets