Movie Highlights Soundtracks, Vol. 2

Alfred Newman, born in 1900 in New Haven, Connecticut, was a titan of film music, renowned for his prolific career as a composer, arranger, and conductor. Starting as a child prodigy on the piano, Newman's journey took him from vaudeville and Broadway to the silver screen, where he became one of Hollywood's most respected figures. His work spanned over 200 films, including classics like "All About Eve," "Anastasia," and "The King and I." Newman's influence extended beyond his compositions; he invented the lush Hollywood string sound and developed the modern sound system for synchronizing music scores with film. As the music director of 20th Century Fox Studios, he created the iconic fanfare theme for the studio and led its music department for two decades. Newman's legacy is further cemented by his nine Academy Awards and 45 nominations, making him the most honored composer in the history of the Academy Awards. His contributions to film music, along with those of his musically gifted family, have left an indelible mark on the industry.