"Composers today get a TV script on Friday and have to record on Tuesday. It's just dreadful to impose on gifted talent and expect decent music under these conditions."
About Alex North
Alex North — Life and Legacy
Alex North was a groundbreaking film composer whose work transformed the landscape of movie music. Renowned for his scores in films such as 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'Spartacus,' North's compositions are marked by their emotional depth and innovative orchestration. He believed that music should serve the story, famously stating, 'The music is there to support the story.' This philosophy guided his approach, ensuring that his scores enhanced the narrative rather than overshadowing it. North's ability to capture the complexities of human emotion through music set him apart, as he often explored themes of love, conflict, and identity. His work not only defined the sound of an era but also challenged conventional norms in film scoring, paving the way for future composers to prioritize emotional storytelling in their music. Today, North's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, reminding us of the profound connection between music and the human experience.
Quote collection
Alex North quotes
7 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"My best film composing experience was with Elia Kazan."
"Fear is a problem with film music and films; people want to be conventional, and there's more commercialism today. If you are not daring in your art, you're bankrupt."
"Being an old radical, I like films like Spartacus. I could relate to the hero."
"When I decided to go to a country that subsidized music, I went to the Soviet Union for two years."
"The United States and Turkey are the only two countries that don't have some kind of subsidy for the Arts. The whole culture in society has made certain films more acceptable. I turned down so many films in the '60s and '70s."
"I prefer to write music for family films. I like people."