'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' Composer Jerry Goldsmith To Be Subject of Comprehensive Biography

Images: FamousComposers.net / Paramount.

MAY 19, 2023 - The name Jerry Goldsmith is synonymous with the most iconic movies in cinema history. From the otherworldly landscapes of Planet of the Apes, Alien, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, to the battlefields of Patton, The Sand Pebbles, and First Blood, to the gripping stories of Chinatown, Basic Instinct, and Rudy, Goldsmith's talent knew no bounds. Now, fans can delve into the comprehensive account of his extraordinary career with The Jerry Goldsmith Companion, a two-volume examination of the maestro's life and unforgettable music.

Published by The Monolith Collective in association with CF Publishing, this definitive masterwork spans over 900 pages, offering an in-depth history of Goldsmith's career. It explores his early works for TV's The Twilight Zone and Thriller and delves into classics like Lillies of the Field, The Sand Pebbles, L.A. Confidential, The Secret of N.I.M.H., Gremlins, Capricorn One, Legend, and Goldsmith's Oscar-winning score for The Omen and its two sequels.

Every facet of Goldsmith's creative output is covered, from radio shows and TV programs to film projects and more. Each volume provides a full, chronological account and scholarly study of not only his feature films but also his radio and television work, which are often forgotten today. Additionally, occasional non-film commissions are explored. These books will captivate a wide readership, ranging from devoted fans and casual enthusiasts of Goldsmith's works to seasoned academics and aspiring music students.

The Jerry Goldsmith Companion takes readers on an immersive journey by featuring remembrances from Goldsmith's esteemed collaborators, including directors Franklin J. Schaffner, Ridley Scott, Richard Donner, Joe Dante, Michael Crichton, Paul Verhoeven, Peter Hyams, and Phil Alden Robinson. It provides unprecedented insights and opinions from Goldsmith's closest associates, such as recording engineer and producer Bruce Botnick, orchestrator Conrad Pope, Goldsmith's agent Richard Kraft, soundtrack producers Douglass Fake and Robert Townson, and renowned author and historian Jon Burlingame.

Moreover, the volumes include commentaries from contemporaries like composers Michael Giacchino, David Newman, Bruce Broughton, Christopher Young, Carlos Rafael Rivera, Christophe Beck, Ludwig Göransson, and Marvel director Peyton Reed. The books are enriched with rare, never-before-published photographs from Goldsmith's illustrious career, samples of original handwritten score manuscripts, and captivating artwork from movie posters, sheet music, and soundtracks from around the world.

Goldsmith's creative genius allowed him to adapt to new challenges, drawing upon his immense musical imagination and technique to serve every film while pushing the boundaries of his art. While he granted numerous interviews during his lifetime, Goldsmith's creative process often eluded verbal articulation. The books supplement his own words with insights from those who knew him, worked with him, and were dear to him, providing a comprehensive look at how he achieved greatness.

The Jerry Goldsmith Companion is available in various editions, including digital, softbound, hardbound, and signed copies. Supporters of the Kickstarter campaign will receive extra bonus perks exclusively created for this endeavor, with a special price available for all editions.