Lalo Schifrin, composer of the 'Mission: Impossible' theme, dies at 93

[Grokenstein]

Source: APNews

Lalo Schifrin, the composer who wrote the endlessly catchy theme for “Mission: Impossible” and more than 100 other arrangements for film and television, died Thursday. He was 93.

Schifrin’s son Ryan confirmed that Schifrin died due to complications from pneumonia. He died peacefully in his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

The Argentine won four Grammys and was nominated for six Oscars, including five for original score for “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Fox,” “Voyage of the Damned,” “The Amityville Horror” and “The Sting II.”

“Every movie has its own personality. There are no rules to write music for movies,” Schifrin told The Associated Press in 2018. “The movie dictates what the music will be.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/lalo-schifrin-dies-mission-impossible-composer-9366684c989a4796461e0e821573fcf9

[Mike 03]

1. BBC World reported this overnight

He had a fantastically long and deep career. My favorite of the scores I actually know is the score he wrote for Rollercoaster (1977?) a sort of combination disaster film with Hitcockian aspirations, starring George Segal. That was probably the last movie released in "Sensurround", a gimmick that caused the theater to tremble at particular dramatic points (i.e., POV shots of riding the rollercoasters). I thought the original Amitiyville Horror was also a really good and eerie score. He also wrote an unused score for William Friedkin's The Exorcist. I don't think it was discarded because it was not a good score, but as a result of other considerations. It would be interesting to hear that--maybe it has been released in some form.

Thank you, Mr. Schifrin, and rest in peace.

[Grokenstein]

3. Schifrin's rejected score for The Exorcist

Here's a FilmScoreMonthly forum discussion of Schifrin's rejected score, with excerpt of interview with Schifrin himself on the matter

I love his score for Rollercoaster too! Odd ones that I enjoy include Caveman, The Osterman Weekend, When Time Ran Out, and The Concorde--Airport '79 (hey, they don't have to be good movies to have good scores).

[OldBaldy1701E]

2. Yes. But the dude was nominated for an Emmy for his theme for 'Mission Impossible".

And, whomever does the Emmys decided that there would be no award for music that year. Understandably, the Desilu producer, Herb Solow, ran up to the MC and asked why there was no music award. They guy replied that the group did not feel that any of the nominees were good enough to be in the running. Solow had a fit, but the dude just turned and walked away. So, Schifrin was denied the Emmy he should have gotten for one of hie greatest compositions.

(And, the tune was not the original choice. It was written for a chase scene later in the episode. Solow chose it over the other offerings. The rest is history.)

[gay texan]

4. and "Bullitt" n/t

[area51]

5. RIP

[MuseRider]

6. RIP

I quite liked a lot of his music. I was surprised to read that he did not have more awards.

His cousin is an incredible clarinet player. I spent a wonderful evening with him quite a few years ago. Talented family..