James Horner's TED Talk on composing film scores

At TED2005, James Horner gave a talk on composing film scores - an unusual art form where one artist works in service of another’s vision. Horner died on June 22, 2015, and while TED has never been able to share his full 15-minute talk because it contains film clips that require rights clearance, we wanted to share this portion of it.
Read more on the TED Blog: wp.me/p10512-pSW

[@dmed312]

Of all the music greats that have passed away over the last 12 months, this one is the saddest. He is missed.

[@Zaleskee]

what are You talking about???? H Zimmer is alive and kicking!!, John Williams still here etc etc..

[@Retoxxxxxx]

Both are legendary! But they don't deliver the emotional feeling that James Horner specialized in.

[@jslasher1]

by whom?

[@TheJohn0363]

@@jslasher1 disrespectful piece of shit.

[@colesorensen3540]

John Powell and Thomas Newman are still pretty fantastic

[@bonzodog67lizardking15]

James Horner was hired to score Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because he was all Paramount could afford. By the time Star Trek VI came around, they *couldn't* afford him.

[@EnduranceSwimmer]

James Horner was a musical genius. He will be deeply missed. It's a shame the full 15 minute talk isn't available as i would have really enjoyed watching it in it's entirety.

[@PaulGilmore44]

Endurance Swimmer Australia Twin Flicks did an awesome 2 part video all about James Horner hid life and career its very good

[@thekaiser4333]

If god intended men to fly, she wouldn't have given us synthesizers.

[@RAAM90]

his scores for Legends of the Fall, Braveheart and The Four Feathers will always be one of my favorites. what a great composer.

[@arunsaji8127]

He died but his music never die. I love titanic music.

[@DarkoFitCoach]

i watch titanic the other day and was crying mainly due to soul deep music

[@abbaszaidi8371]

“He’s really not dead. As long as we remember him”

[@HPofNARNIA]

He was my favorite music Composer, I've been listening to his music since I was a little kid, like he was the one who made me cry all the time. 😭 #RipJamesHornor

[@PaulGilmore44]

HPofNARNIA Twin Flicks did an awesome 2 part video all about James Horner hid life and career its very good.

R.I.P = Rest In Peace R.I.P = Return If Possible

[@bertmagz8845]

Awesome tribute!

[@leonacevedo88]

2020 Still an amazing composer gone too soon RIP

[@EricMalette]

The first score I ever owned was Braveheart. My friend gave me the compact disc after I remarked on how much I loved the themes from the movie. This guy was my gateway to loving film scores.

[@franzhaas6889]

HE MADE MOVIES BETTER. THE MUSIC BECAME A CHARACTER OF ITS OWN. THANK YOU MR HORNER.

[@Bellucci-zy6sl]

Should the late family or relatives happen to read this; I want to say it's been a year and I hope that with time the loss of Mr. James Horner will get just a tiny bit easier to overcome, even though, understandable, you will never heal 100%. It's been a year and Mr. Horner is still very much missed. I listen to his music every day and his magical gift for melodies and hauntingly beautiful music will always live on! Your legacy is giving this world the most beautiful and wonderful music and it will never die. Thank you for that Mr. Horner.

[@ericdyer3883]

James Horner changed my life! To me, he was one of the greatest film composers of all time! So much emotion with ever line or motif that he wrote! Brilliant man!

[@victorsamsung2921]

Yup. It's funny how _"The Portrait"_ piece in Titanic was actually just a concept Horner had made and shown to James Cameron to see whether he liked it. Horner didn't knew there was going to be an actual "portrait" scene of Jack drawing Rose naked in the movie at the time. And Cameron loved the piano piece so much, he ended up using it in the actual scene, and thus, Horner continued with the riff and motive for the other scenes in the movie, like the prologue and Hymn To Sea etc.

[@jimhults2490]

James Horner and John Williams are my favorite composers in our QVC Adventure.

[@abhinavjn1]

It is so disheartening that the LEGEND is not with us anymore. Horner IS a true master. HIS music is so touching, not to forget the entire score of TITANIC. #RIPSIRJAMESHORNER

[@katekinder]

Also co wrote the lyrics to my heart will go on too!! He was amazing

[@jasonism123]

words can't even describe how amazing and magical this man is..RIP James.

[@pranaytony]

Braveheart, Titanic, Avatar, Troy, Legends of the fall, Enemy at the gates, Legend of Zorro, The Mask of Zorro, A Beautiful Mind, The Man without a face, Apollo 13, Apocalypto, Field of Dreams, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Amazing Spider Man.... Were the Best Soundtracks ever Composed by James Horner Sir! RIP Sir, Love From Hyderabad, Telangana!!

[@mahmoudel-mekkaoui9907]

The Amazing spiderman is my favourite

[@ingra888]

Pranay Tony the Film sound track that started it all for him was Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan! He was there when Jerry Goldsmith was scoring/recording Star Trek:The Motion Picture. If you listen to his film score Krull, you will see familiar Queues to Aliens, Star Trek.

[@Nefarion90]

The Land Before Time!!! Horner's music on that one was absolutely ethereal, it almost felt like visiting a church.

[@feelx92ger]

The Wrath of Khan is where he got me hooked!

[@fullsaildigital]

Rocketeer

[@WalterHemingway]

"Glory" soundtrack is one of the most influential beautiful scores for me.

[@WalterHemingway]

@@gp. Available where?

[@michaelhammock1270]

Horner was a wonderful human being with beautiful music in his heart. He makes honest yet sincere insights here.

[@audioliquor]

An American Tail. I probably listened to the overture of that 1000 times as a kid. Most beautiful.

[@Koldeman]

He's one of my favorite film composers and it's a shame that he's no longer with us. I wish we could hear more. I'd love to hear his opinions on temp tracks, rejected cues, and how he approaches sequels. I just love these kinds of clips.

[@FreakieFan]

I miss him so much. Taken from us too soon. What a devestating loss. Such a gentle, sensitive artist.

[@criticalanalystcommentary]

"Glory" is my favourite film score composed by Horner and I believe his best work.

[@relaxationmusicsanctuary3664]

I feel bad every time It comes to my mind that he’s passed away...I miss him so much, he was a great film composer. I’m also very disappointed that this speech couldn’t be seen in its entirety because of copyright owners

[@katekinder]

Only thing I can say about his death is atleast he died doing his second biggest passion in life, just a shame the Avatar film sequels wont have his music

[@SajinGeorge]

Avatar wouldn't be the same without him 💙

[@LordQueezle]

RIP. I didn't realize he had died. :'( Such a great composer.

[@Filmmusicisawayoflife]

Wow...this is the first time I've heard him speak so candidly.....His music is my way of life.....A Free Soul now.....Peace! Mr. Horner, your music lives on....You live on through your music.....and you will continue to live on....❤✊

[@83viraj]

We miss you forever sir 🙏🏻💐🙏🏻💐😭

[@ganeshk7221]

RIP James Horner sir!!

[@dreamgoodmusic]

The biggest takeaway for me “you have to look at things objectively”. I’m struggling in that area because I’m so passionate about my creative process that I tend to get stuck in my own thoughts. But I’m glad I saw this video today. Hopefully I can get one step closer to being more open minded in this world. Cheers to you James

[@karenielsen4713]

Aliens!! When Ripley is gearing up and the dropship is enteting the atmosphere processor... Chills every time! RIP James 😢

[@TommyLellan]

I’m still deeply sad. What a time to be alive, mourning someone I’ve never met.

[@19JayBro96]

Love your music so much James Horner. Rest in peace. You music were masterpieces. Absolutely timeless. You are forever in our hearts

[@GamingTricksbyariyan]

My most favorite score of him is Titanic ❤❤ RIP JAMES HORNER

[@teka7891]

Braveheart ist a timeless masterpiece

[@charlesdoeseverything9716]

I have written so many songs for my own short films and future short films, but it all started with James Horner's wonderful music in The Land Before Time.

[@tristanmichael2051]

Man he really left a void! No one else like this guy....

[@timefilm]

Back when I would look at a movie poster in the cinema, if it said 'Music by James Horner' I knew I would be seeing that movie without question.

[@MrDavis-ic8yh]

There is a great hole left in people's lives without this great musician in it.

[@jimhults2490]

John Williams is still my favorite, and James is my favorite composer in all the world.

[@archangecamilien1879]

3:18 I have to say, though, for James Horner, haha, to be fair, he probably got more of that "this sounds like X or Y" than most composers...I don't know about the comparisons with other people's music, but when it comes to him, James Horner, he often sounded like himself...he was one of the easiest composers for me to recognize, at a point I started to think I could recognize a composer's music because I found it easy to recognize it when it was him...that said, he was still one of my favorite film composers...I just remember watching Glory after not having done so for a long time, and hearing a theme and saying: "Oh my, that's almost exactly what he did in Braveheart almost a decade later", a passage, I forgot which...there are plenty of moments that don't sound like his other films, though, I would say, in every one of his films...but I suspect there's a reason he brought that up, he probably got that criticism more than most (and there's the story about Honey I shrunk the kids, but when it comes to compare his music to other people's music, I really wouldn't know, I suspect that's often the case for everyone)...

[@archangecamilien1879]

5:11 and that's precisely why it's sometimes hard for me to imagine how they do that, haha...I mean...the composer could entirely change the feel of the film...some people are all about collaboration, but even people who are pretty hands on seem to not have a problem with a composer waltzing in and changing everything...

[@Johny40Se7en]

One of the few composers that makes such magical and iconic music.

[@visionaryhomemanagement9234]

What an excellent and insightful explanation of composing for the film industry. James Horner was an exceptional talent and a great person as well.

[@sreepurammike]

Will miss you very much James and your music .

[@gateauxq4604]

Please please TED get the rights somehow to the scores he includes and post the full talk! This is an important cultural artifact particularly since he passed away so young. More people need to see this. RIP

[@johnvallsater4499]

Braveheart is his best soundtrack, no soundtrack is more tense and creates that kind of deep feelings . Titanic is also 10/10

[@lonesnake904]

Apollo 13 brings tears to my eyes

[@cabreram.4734]

Have you heard the Beautiful Mind soundtrack? That's the best one.

[@johnvallsater4499]

@@cabreram.4734 yes i have heard it, its also a great one. it reminds me of Edward Scissorhands- Ice dance. soundtrack. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH7JpGSoodxnqsU

[@LordofMovies91]

The kid part of me will always be partial to Casper and We're Back.

[@debbiemetke5938]

His music in "Glory". Stunning.

[@cosmiledsouza5372]

My all-time favorite music composer. We lost an Angel and heaven gained one. God bless your soul.

[@common_sense_supreme]

A part of me died when James Horner died.

[@LAmotionPics]

Thank you for the Lovely beautiful scores James Horner, Rest In Peace James Horner, You will be Missed.

[@partsparis]

This is by definition a master class symposium how is this not the most watched video of all time here on you tube he was as talented as Michael jackson he should of ended his presentation by saying how the film industry can improve as he would of liked to of seen it change

[@sebastiankierkegaard7690]

Rest in piece Mr. Horner. Love your music, and will always do.

[@danieldalton6544]

One of the best composers in the last 45 years. Sad, he’s no longer with us.

[@CaramelProdMusic]

Very Sad to have lost one of the great film composers of my generation. He lives on through is body of legendary work.

[@Red_Rebel]

I love you James Horner

[@SpudIllusionPictures]

Thank you for this. As a soon-to-be filmmaker, it is very valuable to hear these opinions from the other side. And Horner is one of the greatest film composers to have walked this earth. I'd very much value watching the whole interview if that's possible sometime.

[@mrragava]

Real emotion of a genuine "Composer".. I've heard similar words from another legend Ilaiyaraaja... Well that's Genius alike... Thanks for all your works SIR...You live in our hearts..

[@DarkMatterBurrito]

I always wondered about his unique accent and then I learned that he traveled between the US and England so much growing up that it produced this unusual voice.

[@simonwood1461]

Airport Farewell from Gorky Park is one of my favourites.

[@paxwallacejazz]

Horner's score for "Field of Dreams" is other worldly and wicked smart.

[@anshumansaraf1762]

his music for the amazing spiderman was awesomely cool

[@bonzodog67lizardking15]

From what he said, it sounds like Nicholas Meyer knew exactly how to communicate with him in broad strokes. He requested a nautical score, and apart from a few technical adjustments, it was a classic from this wunderkind!

[@OlleForsberg]

I love how you can hear some low key British accent in his voice.

[@Nabi.Production.]

One of the best masters... Your music is in our hearts.

[@EphemeralProductions]

The music i personally know him best for is the beautiful mind score. A couple of songs on there are the most impressive and beautiful I’ve heard

[@raulgarcia1760]

Rest in peace James

[@pj1995____]

RIP to this absolute legend, he is very much missed in film

[@TomDodson1]

Well done! Good to know. Appreciate.

[@stacypletcher4166]

Rest in Peace Mr. Horner. You are truly missed

[@ninoskabermudez3247]

James, you were a amazing, remarkable human being. Great man and artist.

[@christopherspringmann]

A sobering appraisal of what it's like to work for The Man, the boss, employer, whatever, and the skill set needed to make that work beyond "just" the music! That's the learning moment for me.

[@elenasingleterry5854]

The Titanic score is literally all the way up there, on par with Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and all of the greats.

[@ralphtrout5587]

one day I think his best is Braveheart....then I listen to Legend of the fall and I decide THAT"S his best....then comes along a reminder of Beautiful Mind......then I see an ad for Field of Dreams.....then I find myself humming "somewhere out there".......and it all starts again......sad day now 3 years ago........and his music is still.....in my heart.........

[@FelipeSaintJeanOfficial]

Still missing him and his music.

[@DemonBoy3223]

If I was ever a film director and I had the opportunity to have James Horner as a composer, I would never have suggested anything for him to do, I would've just essentially told him "Go nuts" and let him do his work.

[@kevinzhang3313]

If you were a film director, you'd know that as tempting as it is, it wouldn't work with no guidance or providing a channel at all.

[@BrianLyons315]

I had a traumatic movie experience with 4 movies. The first movie was The Stepfather (2009), the trailer traumatized me cause I thought Amber Heard's character was gonna die but when I watched the movie she didn't. Then it was Hostel Part II the part where Bijou Phillips' character was tortured, then Us (2019) the Tyler's deaths scene and finally It Came From The Desert the swimsuit striptease scene. As a result of watching these 4 movies I was afraid to watch new movies but then I mustered the courage to watch Watership Down and to my surprise it didn't traumatize me like the four movies did and my confidence was restored. Then one fateful night I had a nightmare with Us. After I woke up I became obsessed with Us and I wanted to watch it again and I was thinking about it, I imagined James Horner's music in my head and so I rewatched the four movies and conquered my fears. After this I was no longer traumatized by the four movies. Anywho I am grateful for James Horner and his music cause they helped through that traumatic experience.

[@gargantuaism]

His score for KRULL is his best. Absolutely spectacular.

[@Crimson28]

My favorite scores of his are Aliens, The Land Before Time, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, The Rocketeer, Legends of the Fall, Jumanji, Braveheart, Titanic, The Mask Of Zorro, A Beautiful Mind, and Avatar.

[@19JayBro96]

Casper's Lullaby is my favorite

[@Archimusik]

There's one thing that's very important to remember as you listen to James Horner speak . . . . . . . . . he was born and raised (for the most part) in the United States. (He did spend a few years in London, but that doesn't really explain the crazy accent.)

[@convanjo]

HOLY FUCK HE DIED??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rest in Peace with Beethoven and Mozart, and Bach....and John Barry

[@philipcarroll7151]

❤️rip James❤️ I will never forget you and your musical genius...

[@vidyadharraju]

Rip sir We miss your intriguing music :(

[@AlbertKimMusic]

rest easy sir

[@bhaskarmaity2890]

RIP Sir.

[@tobeornottobe9689]

World record for P's popped in the mic. Love you Horner!!

[@wisamsleiman9543]

Good man And a great composer

[@savedfaves]

He grew up in England. Genuine accent.

[@FifthContinentMusic]

The 'accent' was manufactured for whichever occasion.

[@fucktheilluminati502]

@@FifthContinentMusic how do you know?

[@PaulGilmore44]

Does anyone know where I can find the full video? Horner has been my favirot composer simce 1992

[@pookie67]

the studios and companies may "own" the music but we know who it really belongs to

[@alexandrialeonora6542]

There is not a single James Horner score that was not stunning in quality. Every single work he created would make you feel something, whether that be overwhelming sadness, or fear, or a bittersweet kind of joy. If emotions were made up of sound, they would be the sound of James Horner's music. Rest in peace, legend.

[@melvynstetson8906]

We have lost a music genius but his great musical scores will live forever. Rip James horner

[@ronaldrutz1120]

He scored Alita Battle Angel and The Magnificent Seven, The 33, Southpaw, Wolf Totem, The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2, Black Gold, The Karate Kid, Avatar, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, Flight Plan, The Legend of Zorro, Troy, Windtalkers, A Beautiful Mind, The Grinch, The Perfect Storm, Bicentennial Man, Mighty Joe Young, Deep Impact, Titanic, and much more.

[@pinkpinkpanther]

Please share the entire version without the movie clips if possible.

[@taufikbanday3987]

i love u sir ,i miss u very badly

[@bobbywoemack3334]

Heritage of a wolf - James Horner Flying forward in time - James Horner. These are his greatest works. And they are HIS works.

[@samuelamankwah2527]

2021, 3022, 4023 still James Horner. Samuel Amankwah from Ghana

[@ViolaGMidi]

I LOVE YOU JAMES HORNER!!

[@aadyasrivastava371]

No one can be like him

[@DanielLarsh]

How I miss this man....

[@acquiesce100]

Is there anywhere where he talks about composing the score to Commando?

[@basedbattledroid3507]

Rest in Peace.