John Barry 1933-2011
One of my favorite past-times to collect and listen to movie soundtracks, and anyone who ever had such a hobby cannot begin without experiencing the music of John Barry. Barry passed away January 31st, 2011 at the age of 78. Barry has a numerous catalog of soundtracks that are known through-out the world, including composing one of the most famous themes of all time for a British spy, 007. John Barry’s life is well chronicled, as well as the numerous awards he as earned, all at IMDB.
“He’s never satisfied with what he does. Every day he wakes up and believes that into his mind and soul is going to come some magical arrangement of notes that he’s going to ultimately either entrance you with in a concert hall or cinema. It’s because he thinks there’s still a peak to climb that he’s a great film music composer.” Sir Richard Attenborough eloquently explains what so many other directors feel about working with John Barry. Their success together in 1992 with Chaplin (1992) is a superb example of what his music does for a motion picture. Robert Downey Jr.‘s portrayal of the comic legend is given a tragic soul by the score; an element “Dickie” never dreamed of. The result (nominated for an Oscar) is but one of Barry’s magical arrangement of notes.











