James Horner, talented composer of over 100 films, has died after the plane registered to him crashed near Santa Barbara earlier this week. He was 61.
The following statement was released by his agency, Gorfaine/Schwartz, confirming the tragedy: “It is with the deepest regret and sorrow that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear colleague, long-time client and great friend, composer James Horner,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with James’ family at this difficult time, and also with the millions of people around the world who loved his music. A shining light has been extinguished, which can never be replaced. It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked with James since the inception of our agency. For more than three decades, his unique creative genius made an indelible imprint on each of our lives and on those of the entire Hollywood community. There is not a person in our GSA family who wasn’t touched by the power and reach of his music, and who isn’t diminished by his loss.”
As a film score aficionado, the name James Horner is as familiar to me as that of maestro John Williams. I think I first really appreciated his work on Don Bluth’s animated “An American Tail,” a movie that has always been special to me. I used to listen to “Somewhere Out There” over and over, a fan of both the film version sung by Fievel and his sister, and the pop version played on the radio.
Some of my other favorite scores include “Braveheart,” “Legends of the Fall,” “The Mask of Zorro,” “Willow,” and “The Rocketeer.” And though eventually most people tired of the song, he also wrote the popular and ubiquitous “My Heart Will Go On” for the “Titanic” soundtrack, winning Oscars for Best Song and Best Original Dramatic Score. He has collaborated with director James Cameron several times in addition to “Titanic,” including “Avatar” and “Aliens.”
Ron Howard, who worked with Horner on “Apollo 13,” “Willow,” and “A Beautiful Mind” among others, tweeted: “Brilliant Composer James Horner, friend & collaborator on 7 movies has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart aches for his loved ones.”
One of Horner’s more recent projects was a documentary called “Living in the Age of Airplanes,” released in April. Harrison Ford, listed as the narrator, had his own terrifying plane crash earlier this year. Both Ford and Horner shared a love of flying.
Other projects not yet released include “The 33,” “Southpaw,” and “Wolf Totem,” and it’s sobering to realize that those are the final James Horner scores.
Yet while Rose’s heart goes on in “Titanic,” so must our hearts go on after such a shocking loss. While it’s heartbreaking news for fans of movies and music, we can continue to relive epic movie moments with Horner’s soaring and poignant scores.
James, wherever you are, remember that “Somewhere Out There” fans everywhere are mourning your loss. But we are grateful for the beautiful music you have left behind.
(Photo EW)