williams spielbergSince 1928 one of the opportunities for great composers is to write soundtracks for movies, and another is new music to be sung in churches. We’ve already covered some of these with Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Arvo Part, and Philip Glass --- but there are many others as well. Here are a few of the more famous and notable works in this category since 1960. It’s such a nice way to finish out our series of Classical music posts, don’t you think!

Ernest Gold (1921-1999): Main theme from the film Exodus, 1960, play by Ernest Gold and orchestra

Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004): Main title from the film The Magnificent Seven, 1960, played by Elmer Bernstein and orchestra

John Williams (b. 1932): Main Title from the film Star Wars, 1977, played by John Williams and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra

Williams: Theme from the film Schindler's List, 1993, played by Janine Jansen and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth

John Barry (1933-2011): Farewell/End Title from the film Dances with Wolves, 1990, conducted by John Barry and orchestra

John Rutter (b. 1945): 'For the Beauty of the Earth', sung by the Cambridge Singers with the Cityrutter of London Sinfonia, conducted by John Rutter

Patrick Doyle (b. 1953): 'Non nobis Domine' from a film of Shakespeare's Henry V, 1989, sung by Patrick Doyle and chorus with the City of Birmingham Sinfonia, conducted by Simon Rattle

Doyle: 'I Loved You Once' from a film of Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1996, played by Robert Ziegler and orchestra

portmanRachel Portman (b. 1960): End Titles from a film of Austen's Emma, 1996, played by Rachel Portman and orchestra