Jerry Goldsmith Soundtracks & Film Scores

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.

Keyboard shortcuts

Release page

Global

Jerry Goldsmith (1929–2004)

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story / Rascals & Robbers (1971-1982)

Hoosiers

Hour of the Gun

Hour of the Gun

Hour of the Gun

Hour of the Gun

I.Q. / Seconds

In Harm's Way

In Harm's Way

Inchon

Inchon

Inchon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Inchon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Inchon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Inchon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Inchon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Innerspace (Original Motion Picture Score)

Islands in the Stream

Islands in the Stream

Islands in the Stream (Music From the Motion Picture)

Islands In The Stream (Original Motion Picture Score)

Islands In The Stream (Original Motion Picture Score)

Jerry Goldsmith 80th Birthday Tribute Concert - Fimucité 3

Jerry Goldsmith At 20th Century Fox

Jerry Goldsmith: The Early Years, Volume 1: Perry Mason, Playhouse 90, The Line Up