Jerry Goldsmith Quotes

Powerful Jerry Goldsmith for Daily Growth

About Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith (February 10, 1929 – July 21, 2004) was an esteemed American composer and conductor, renowned for his prolific and diverse contributions to film and television scoring. Born in Los Angeles, California, Goldsmith showed early signs of musical talent, learning piano at age five. His father, Michael Goldsmith, a musician, and his mother, Mildred (Baumgarten) Goldsmith, a singer, nurtured Jerry's passion for music. Goldsmith attended the University of Southern California, but his formal education was cut short when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he returned to Los Angeles and embarked on a career in television, working as a studio musician and arranger for various productions. Goldsmith's big break came in 1957 when he was hired by Alfred Hitchcock to score his film "The Wrong Man." This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the two, with Goldsmith going on to score several more Hitchcock films, including "North by Northwest" and "Psycho." Throughout his career, Goldsmith composed music for over 200 film and television projects. His works encompassed a wide range of genres, from the haunting themes of "Alien," "Planet of the Apes," and "Star Trek" to the dramatic scores of "The Omen," "Troy," and "Maverick." Goldsmith's innovative use of electronic music and unusual instrumentation often set his work apart from that of his contemporaries. Goldsmith was nominated for five Academy Awards and won three: Best Original Score for "Chinatown" (1974), "The Omen" (1976), and "Gorky Park" (1983). He was also a seven-time Emmy Award winner. Jerry Goldsmith's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of composers, as his unique blend of classical training, experimentation with sound, and ability to create mood and emotion through music remains unparalleled in the realm of film scoring.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is the emotional lifeblood of a film."

Jerry Goldsmith's quote, "Music is the emotional lifeblood of a film," highlights the profound role music plays in storytelling within cinematography. It suggests that just as blood carries nutrients essential for life, music delivers the emotional substance required to breathe life into films. In other words, music serves not only as an auditory backdrop but as a powerful tool that amplifies emotions, intensifies suspense, and evokes feelings in viewers – making a film more impactful and memorable.


"The best score is when you can't tell where the drama stops and the music starts."

This quote by Jerry Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of seamless integration between a film's narrative and its musical score. When a soundtrack feels inherent to the story, it enhances emotions and immersion, making the dramatic elements more impactful. The best scores are those that blur the lines between drama and music, creating an enriched audiovisual experience for the audience.


"I think the secret of scoring to picture is that if you're really listening, you don't notice the music."

Jerry Goldsmith's quote suggests that great film music should serve its intended purpose seamlessly, blending harmoniously with the visual narrative rather than overpowering or drawing attention away from it. When a viewer is engrossed in a movie, they shouldn't consciously notice the score; instead, it should emotionally reinforce and complement the story being told, enhancing the overall impact without distracting from the scene itself.


"When I'm writing a film score, I feel that I'm an extension of the director."

Jerry Goldsmith's quote underscores the intertwined relationship between the composer and the director in filmmaking. In this collaboration, Goldsmith suggests he becomes an extension of the director, taking on their vision and emotions to create music that complements and amplifies their creative intent on screen. This symbiotic partnership helps evoke the desired mood, tell the story, and elevate the impact of a film.


"A good score will react to the images and not describe them."

Jerry Goldsmith's quote emphasizes the importance of a film score complementing the visual narrative, rather than explicitly describing it. A good score should respond dynamically to the action, mood, and emotion portrayed on screen, enhancing the audience's experience without offering unnecessary explanations or overt guidance. This approach encourages the audience to engage actively with the story, fostering a more immersive and impactful cinematic experience.


I've been using the Mac solely for years, and got very comfortable with it.

- Jerry Goldsmith

Been, Very, Using, Mac

I like the variety. But basically my choice of films is a small intimate film. Quiet film, no action, just people in relationships. That's what I like the most.

- Jerry Goldsmith

Small, Like, Films, Variety

My wife has them all in a vault... a copy of every album.

- Jerry Goldsmith

Wife, Album, Them, Copy

If our music survives, which I have no doubt it will, then it will because it is good.

- Jerry Goldsmith

Doubt, Will, Which, Survives

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