Ansel Adams, photographer and environmentalist, once said:
“The negative is comparable to the composer’s score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways.”
Long before cinema found its voice, non-diegetic music — or more simply, the background score — was essential in bringing silent screens to life. Over a century later, composers continue to shape how we feel what we see on screen.
Aside from Hans Zimmer — a household name by now — here are four composers redefining cinema beyond the traditional audio-visual experience.
1. Bernard Herrmann
Perhaps no discussion on cinematic scores may ever truly be complete without a reference to the work of Bernard Herrmann. Never heard of him? Well, what if I told you that the music for Citizen Kane, Taxi Driver, and Hitchcock’s iconic Psycho was composed for by this gentleman. Yes, I am referring to that one scene in the shower.
Herrmann’s legacy is entrapped in the world of psychological thrillers; one that plays with tension and fear. Additionally, the lasting impression of the composer’s essence is also found in the infamous “Herrmann Chord.” This is essentially a vertical harmony in a specific inversion (seventh in the bass). So, anytime you hear a half-diminished seventh chord, remember its origin!
2. Susumu Hirasawa
Some might say that one of the most timeless and experimental Eastern composers from Japan is Susumu Hirasawa. Having a discography extending from BERSERK to many of Satoshi Kon’s masterpieces, Hirasawa has set the stage for many Art Pop and Electronica composers following in his footsteps. Some of his most notable pieces worth checking out include:
- Dream Island Obsessional Park
- On Line Malaysia
- Gats (from BERSERK)
3. Colin Stetson
Following the horror-thriller pipeline, one of the scariest films of 2018, Hereditary, was known for its haunting tracks made possible by Colin Stetson‘s eerie melodies. Stetson’s expertise in the saxophone and multi-reed instruments aids the use of wind-like elements in the genre’s schema-type. Moreover, His avant-garde jazz approach adds to the intrigue of his compositions, positioning him as a truly unique musician.
As one of his newest opuses, the Uzumaki album stands as a testament to his genius — making the horrors of spirals come to life through his breezy notes. Literally.
4. Ludwig Göransson
In the Sinners’ soundtrack, Ludwig Göransson‘s magic has been noted and experienced in genre-bending ways. Perhaps some of his notable work was seen in the Oppenheimer score, where Christopher Nolan’s bold choice of selecting the composer was seen as a gamble.
However, the film’s standout title score “Can You Hear The Music” adds heftily to the biographical-historical flick, proving the calibre of this composer. Currently, Göransson is set to work on the 2026 Nolan film The Odyssey, showing that the director has yet again found a fit to his monumental installations in the world of cinema.
True cinema leverages sound, and these composers have shown that music has always been integral to the motion picture experience.
Want to feel inspired, scared, or moved? Check out these composers on your favorite streaming platform.
For more such pieces, Stay tuned at The World Times.
