Alfred Newman

Date of Birth: March 17, 1901

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: February 17, 1970

Biography

Alfred Newman was an iconic American composer, conductor, and arranger who left an indelible mark on the world of film music. Born on March 17, 1901, in New Haven, Connecticut, Newman showed an early aptitude for music and began playing the piano at the age of five. By the time he was twelve, he was already performing professionally, and his prodigious talent earned him a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Newman’s career in Hollywood began in the late 1920s, and he quickly rose to prominence. Over the course of his career, he composed scores for more than 200 films, earning nine Academy Awards from an astonishing 45 nominations. His work includes scores for classics such as “Wuthering Heights,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “All About Eve,” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Not only was Newman a prolific composer, but he also served as the music director for 20th Century Fox for nearly two decades, influencing the sound of Hollywood during its Golden Age. He was known for his ability to blend classical music traditions with the demands of film scoring, creating some of the most memorable and emotionally resonant music in cinema history.

5 Interesting Facts about Alfred Newman

1. Alfred Newman won nine Academy Awards, making him one of the most awarded composers in Oscar history.

2. He composed the familiar fanfare that accompanies the 20th Century Fox logo, which has become iconic in its own right.

3. Newman was part of a musical family; his brothers Lionel and Emil, and his nephew Randy Newman, are also notable composers.

4. He was the head of the music department at 20th Century Fox from 1940 to 1960, significantly shaping the studio’s musical output.

5. Newman was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to evoke deep emotions through his compositions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alfred Newman

1. “Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.”

2. “Film music should say what the dialogue cannot.”

3. “The best music is essentially there to provide a great emotional lift to a scene or subdue it in a manner that a director wants.”

4. “A picture dictates its own music.”

5. “The challenge of film scoring is to find the soul of the story and translate it into something that resonates emotionally and intellectually.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Alfred Newman’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, a significant sum for a composer during his time.

Children

Alfred Newman had five children, three of whom followed in his musical footsteps. His sons David Newman and Thomas Newman, as well as his daughter Maria Newman, have all achieved success as composers in their own right. His other children, Robert and Tim Newman, have also pursued careers in the arts and entertainment industry.