Composers Suck at Complimenting Each Other

[@iceomistar4302]

John Williams apparently also said this about Jerry, "His chameleon adaptability was a prerequisite to longevity and success in Hollywood. We used to call him Gorgeous. He was the golden boy, a beautiful presence. His music had a freshness, and he had a freshness."

[@ParisMexis]

Quincy Jones says somewhere: When some melody comes into my mind, I immediately go write it down, even if it is three o'clock in the morning cause if I don't God is going to give it to Mancini".

[@SheriffJoe]

I was at that dinner. Received the signed, numbered disc, the video, and the lovely program. I took my best friend with me (as he was very musically inclined and loved Jerry's music as well - in fact, when he saw Henry Mancini, he got really nervous...having played some of his music in high school band). It was a night I will never forget, including that wonderful speech from "Hank," as Jerry called him. I was in awe all night long. Still am!! Goldsmith is the bar to top and I think there are still composers today attempting to do so!

[@awintory]

I'm so jealous you were there, though I did a few years later spend a lot on Ebay for one of those CDs :)

[@Bartonfinkmusic]

Great video, Austin. You scare the living day lights out of me, bro! A letter I’ve always loved, not composer to composer, but maybe just as rare; actor to composer! Is Audrey Hepburns letter to Mancini after she saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s with his score: ‘Dear Henry, I have just seen our picture - BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - this time with your score. A movie without music is a little bit like an aeroplane without fuel. However beautifully the job is done, we are still on the ground and in a world of reality. Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imagination, fun and beauty. You are the hippest of cats- and most sensitive of composers! Thank you, dear Hank. Audrey.’

[@awintory]

I love that one too! I actually saw it with my own eyes at the Grammy Museum in LA where they had it on temporary display under glass many years ago. I think I took a photo of it on some ancient Razr phone :) A magnificent tribute, so rarely seen (actor to composer). I remember an interview w/ Josh Brolin during the SICARIO junket in which he praised Johannsson for his score having the same visceral, Pavlovian quality as JAWS (Which I think is a good assessment!)

[@NealAcree]

This is great. It reminded me that on a couple occasions I heard Jerry say he really liked John Barry’s music. Specifically his low brass writing on scores like Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves. It wasn’t an over the top, glowing compliment but there was true respect there. Maybe the best you could expect from Jerry.

[@awintory]

Yeah Jerry (and most composers in general) aren't terribly effusive in their praise of each other. I hadn't heard that about Jerry / Barry. Particularly interesting to zero in on the brass writing for scores like that, which is basically the least 'famous' aspect of those scores :)

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

I mean John Barry's low brass writing is what makes John Barry. So that was probably Goldsmith's underhanded way of telling him that he had "it". If you listen to Barry's Bond scores, "The Black Hole", and "Dances with Wolves" you''ll recognize the pattern easily.

[@awintory]

His low brass is a big part of it but his melodic writing is so far and away his claim to fame, that it strikes me as a fascinating aspect to hone in on.

[@jandreidrn]

Didn't John Williams also said of Goldsmith when he passed: : *His music had a freshness, and he had a freshness" Also in 2005, during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Williams paid tribute to Goldsmith by playing the theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. But before he played the theme, Williams said a few words about Goldsmith as well. Williams said of Goldsmith: 'Jerry Goldsmith was a particularly gifted person who I think had special gifts in the timbral and textural aspects of music that fit film, he was so brilliant at that I think as with so many other things." It's on KZbin for those that want to see the entire thing.

[@snarf1504]

I'm not sure if I agree with the premise that composers tend not to genuinely compliment eachother, although I've definitely noticed this this performative attitude you describe. Most praise seems to be directed at dead or very old and succesful people, I admit. What I see far more often is bitterness and disdain for certain genres (often pop or other, "simple" types of music) based on misconceptions (usually justified via some arbitrary music theory reason) and arrogance/insecurity. This is why my favourite compliments would probably be those where an artist who is admired inside an 'elitist' group breaks down these preconceived notions and prejudices, shows us what we can learn from others, and reminds us to evaluate things with an open mind.

[@awintory]

Definite truth to that. Always folks quick to dismiss others, and usually because of their own insecurity. Tribalism emerges out of that. All very silly since art, conceptually, doesnt' care about that stuff

[@nallash905]

Lovely editing Mr. Crane! Also, such a wholesome video, really made my day. Thank you!

[@DallasCrane]

Thank you!!

[@doogboh]

. . . and ever since Jerry's death, film music hasn't seemed nearly as noteworthy. So, what Henry Mancini had to say was, evidently, quite true.

[@ParisMexis]

Wonderful, educational, feel-good. Thank you Mr. Wintory.

[@IamMiaga]

Well, there was this one story of a composer hearing about a new composer on the block give an interview on a recording session for Dead Space...

[@MaximilianMKGill]

I am willing to say that your work is great.

[@BadNessie]

And this is a perfect example why you yourself are able to create awesome things in so many different genres. Despite getting lost in tweaking all the little details you never lose sight of the bigger picture, within and far beyond your own frog pond. So you please keep your searchlights exploring the last corners of simply everything, soak it all up like a sponge and make it into music, thoughts, life and all the precious gold nuggets that these videos are.

[@MrKnt93]

As an inspiring composer this makes me very happy! I’ve always tried complement where possible! I was brought up on the notion that if I’m the smartest person in the room that’s a problem. I’m always wanting to learn and improve. I am unfortunately not that familiar with your work though I must say I began to listen to your score for Journey and I want to say that it is an immaculate score! I am excited to share that I’ll be playing the next Aliens game and I’m excited to find out you’re composing hahaha that track you posted was insane btw. I liked how you gave nods to both Horner and Goldsmith! Apologies for the lengthy reply haha!

[@iceomistar4302]

I don't know if Richard Kraft ever told this story to you but apparently Jerry Goldsmith said that if he was ever making a film his first pick for composer would be John Barry because he could get the heart of a film. This is high praise coming from Jerry who in my opinion is at the top.

[@davidh1318]

It is eerie how sometimes completely disperate things come together. I was looking for an old adventure book to listen to couple months ago and I wasn't finding something that hooked me, then I remembered On The Origin Of Species, since I was always curious, I put it on. I noted in my mind that I was amazed how clearly and understandebly he laid out his argument. Few days later I found Julia Galef's video on the letter. I found it surprising how similarly she talked to how I felt when reading. And now I see you found the video and found it interesting enough to inspire a video. I just thought that's pretty cool.

[@jamesryancullen]

Another awesome vid Austin! As far as composers who should be complimented more, I'd consider your name right up there. I think between you and Christian Henson I've been exposed to so much of the industry side of things with composition that we'd just never have access to 10 years ago even. Especially being on this small little island New Zealand far removed away from the entertainment capitals of the world... And definitely not forgetting your music, which is truly indescribable sometimes. Strong themes that develop and develop, beautiful counterpoint, and textural ideas that work so well, had the same situation been confronted with any other composer, such interesting and new ideas would've never have been realised. You talk a lot about how Jerry approached things with innovativeness of it being his first ever score and the experience of it being his last, and I definitely see the same threads run through your work. Between your vids exploring the craft, your wonderful work, your showing of workings of the industry and all that you do, you truly are a saint in the community. I have soo much to learn in this industry but with people such as yourself, the task definitely becomes a lot more achievable! Keep it up! 😊

[@awintory]

Profoundly kind words :) And I love being grouped with Christian! What a wonderful thinker, composer and artist he is!!

[@jonathanfergluis-jorge4158]

I don't have a favorite compliment but my favorite approach to taking compliments was iterated by some unknown voice actor named Troy Baker (It was said on PWL, I thiiiink it was him lol). He mentioned always shooting down compliments after gigs. Someone would say, "good job" and he'd rat off how he messed up. Someone eventually told him to just say, "thank you" because by explaining why he didn't do a good job, he basically told the guest they are wrong in their assumption. Having a strong music background coupled with being brought up in a tough non-denominational 'Christian' home, I am used to minimizing compliments. It was especially tough to feel good about my own accomplishments, even after I stopped believing. Gotta love those "good jobs", because they mean it!

[@nomad_composer]

Yesterday, Alex Moukala released a video where he said: "Genshin Impact's music makes me feel spoiled as a gamer, and THREATENED as a composer." It reminds me of the compliment from Henry Mancini you talk about here.

[@awintory]

Alex is just the best :)

[@MrVideoVagabond]

I attended the ceremony where Elmer Bernstein and Henry Mancini expressed those complimentary words -- I even snuck my camcorder in, and somewhere I still have an old 8mm videocassette with Bernstein's statement recorded on it. (Didn't manage to catch Mancini's statement tho!).

[@marjoriedawson]

A bunch of us had a discussion once' Are there any genuinely nice classical composers?" Most seem have more than one mean thing or nasty streak that knocks them off the list and we ended up with just one - Arnold Schoenberg (even if his music can be a struggle sometimes). He seems to have been a nice person, as well as a gifted creative.

[@awintory]

I'm not so sure; Leonard Bernstein was quite beloved

[@43nostromo]

What a great video, Austin. But, man this makes me sad. What an incalculable loss. Film music has taken such a nose-dive over at least the past 25 years. That it is one reason I have little interest in modern films. Through no fault of modern composers. Generic computer-generated garbage is, after all, so much cheaper than hiring an actual musician.

[@kujasan]

this is great and all but pavlov tells me somewhere cut from the frame sits a lonely troy waiting to chime in. ;) jokes aside, over the last year i try to make an effort in actually TELLING people positive things i notice when i do. it is such a small thing that can change so much, on any given day. i am truly sorry, i take such a beautiful and focused point of yours and generalize it into hell. but.. in essence... yes. and thank you, again.

[@MaximilianMKGill]

Is "Love They Comrades" a version of "Love They Neighbor"?

[@godpopov]

interesting take, new sub btw, journey brought me here, love goldsmith he basically was the 80's, but what about Poledouris ? And gaming, what's your take on Kondo, Uematsu and Soule?

[@awintory]

I'll gradually answer all of these :)

[@godpopov]

@@awintory Thank you for the answer

[@jimmybenecasa3190]

Austin, you scare the hell outa me

[@awintory]

You are very kind :)

[@MaximilianMKGill]

What is your favorite western soundtrack my favorite is the Magnificent Seven.

[@Scatscar1985]

Note to whoever did the graphics...Alfred Newman did "How The West Was Won" not Elmer Bernstein!

[@awintory]

Not only are you right, but that's one of my single favorite of Newman's themes! Total oversight on my part to not catch that, doh!!!

[@DallasCrane]

😳😳😳

[@gerardmarino4110]

Actions, to me, speak louder than words. Therefore my favorite composer to composer compliment was when you penned this 12-tone piano etude of my "The End Begins" theme for God Of War II: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3bEc5KLqtt8n5I Thanks for that!!!

[@MaximilianMKGill]

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