Jerry Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor whose five-decade career made him one of the most versatile and influential voices in film music. From avant-garde experiments to sweeping orchestral adventure, his scores helped define the sound of science fiction, horror, and action cinema.
Born Jerrald King Goldsmith on February 10, 1929 in Los Angeles, he studied piano with Jakob Gimpel and composition at the University of Southern California, where he was influenced by Miklós Rózsa. He began his career writing for CBS radio and television before moving into feature films in the late 1950s.
Across more than 200 film and television scores, Goldsmith continually pushed the boundaries of the orchestra. His atonal, percussion-driven score for Planet of the Apes (US, 1968) reimagined what film music could be, while Patton (US, 1970), Chinatown (US, 1974), Alien (US, 1979), Poltergeist (US, 1982), Total Recall (US, 1990), and L.A. Confidential (US, 1997) showcased his extraordinary range. His main theme for Star Trek: The Motion Picture (US, 1979) later became the signature melody of Star Trek: The Next Generation (US, 1987).
Nominated for eighteen Academy Awards, Goldsmith won a single competitive Oscar — for his choral horror score to The Omen (US, 1976) and its unforgettable Ave Satani. He also received five Emmy Awards and numerous Golden Globe nominations. He died on July 21, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California, leaving a body of work that continues to influence composers today.
Further reading: Jerry Goldsmith on Wikipedia.
100 Rifles / Rio Conchos (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2018-02-06
La-La Land Records LLLCD 1458
2xCD (Album) / 56 Tracks / 136:33 m:s
100 Rifles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2005-01-04
Film Score Monthly (Silver Age Classics) FSMCD Vol. 2, Nr. 1
1xCD (Album) / 31 Tracks / 76:33 m:s
13th Warrior (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 1999-08-10
Varèse Sarabande VSD 6038
1xCD (Album) / 16 Tracks / 54:58 m:s
13th Warrior (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 1999-09-10
Varèse Sarabande VSD 6038
Digital (Album) / 16 Tracks / 54:58 m:s
13th Warrior (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
Germany / 1999-08-10
Colosseum Schallplatten VSD-6038
1xCD (Album) / 16 Tracks / 54:58 m:s
1985 at the Movies
Various Artists
United States / 2015-12-04
Varèse Sarabande 302 067 200 8
1xCD (Album) / 16 Tracks / 68:26 m:s
2 Days in the Valley (The Unused Score)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2012-06-12
Intrada (Special Collection) ISC 198
1xCD (Album) / 20 Tracks / 46:59 m:s
Alex North's 2001 (The Legendary Original Score)
Alex North
United States / 1993
Varèse Sarabande VSD-5400
1xCD (Album) / 12 Tracks / 35:16 m:s
2001 - A Space Odyssey
Germany / 1993-09-28
Colosseum Schallplatten CVS 5400.2
1xCD (Album) / 12 Tracks / 35:16 m:s
20th Century Fox: 75 Years Of Great Film Music
Various Artists
United States / 2010-12-21
Varèse Sarabande 302 067 059 2
3xCD (Album) / 59 Tracks / 228:43 m:s
20th Century Fox: 75 Years Of Great Film Music
Various Artists
United States / 2010-12-07
Varèse Sarabande 302 067 059 2
Digital (Album) / 59 Tracks / 228:43 m:s
20th Century Fox: 75 Years Of Great Film Music
Various Artists
Germany / 2011-01-25
Colosseum Music Entertainment CVS 7059-3.2
3xCD (Album) / 59 Tracks / 228:43 m:s
Air Force One (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 1997-07-29
Varèse Sarabande VSD 5825
1xCD (Album) / 8 Tracks / 34:37 m:s
Air Force One: The Deluxe Edition (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2019-09-27
Varèse Sarabande (CD Club) VCL 0919 1195
2xCD (Album) / 45 Tracks / 118:20 m:s
Air Force One (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
Germany / 1997-07-29
Colosseum Schallplatten VSD-5825
1xCD (Album) / 8 Tracks / 34:37 m:s
Alien
United States / 1979
Twentieth Century Fox Film Scores T-593
1xLP (Album) / 10 Tracks / 34:57 m:s
Alien (Complete Motion Picture Soundtrack)
United States / 2017-04-26
Mondo Music MOND-027
4xLP (Album) / 47 Tracks / 121:20 m:s
Alien (Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2007-11-19
Intrada MAF 7102
2xCD (Album) / 47 Tracks / 126:19 m:s
Alien Nation
United States / 2013-10-03
Kritzerland
2xCD (Album) / 48 Tracks / 87:25 m:s
Alien Nation (Music Inspired By The Film)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2005-05-16
Varèse Sarabande (CD Club) VCL 0505 1035
1xCD (Album) / 18 Tracks / 46:47 m:s
Alien (Original Motion Picture Score)
Jerry Goldsmith
United Kingdom / 1988
Silva Screen FILMCD 003
1xCD (Album) / 10 Tracks / 34:57 m:s
Alien (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2015-01-27
Island Def Jam Music Group
Digital (Album) / 10 Tracks / 36:42 m:s
Alien (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
United States / 2017-04-26
Mondo Music MOND-027
2xLP (Album) / 23 Tracks / 57:05 m:s
Alien (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Variant: Acid Blood Green
Jerry Goldsmith
United States / 2017-04-26
Mondo Music MOND-027
2xLP (Album) / 23 Tracks / 57:05 m:s
The Alien Trilogy
Germany / 1996-10-22
Colosseum Schallplatten CVS 5753.2
1xCD (Album) / 13 Tracks / 52:47 m:s