The Magnificent Seven (1960): Elmer Bernstein’s Soundtrack Suite

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

To my knowledge, The Magnificent Seven is the greatest remake of them all. It was the western version of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954), itself a heavily western-influenced picture.

At the time of this picture’s release, Bernstein’s score was the greatest ever composed. Today, I would peg it at number three or four, but note that the other scores—The Natural (1984), by Randy Newman; Field of Dreams (1989), by James Horner; and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), by Maurice Jarre, were all scored after this one. Thus, if they were better, their composers all stood on the shoulders of a giant.

They used to speak of “Bernstein East” (Lenny) and “Bernstein West” (Elmer).

Also check out Bernstein West’s classic themes to To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Escape, and TV’s National Geographic specials.
 


 

Thanks to the marvelous Frederik Riesberg for the splendid upload and playlist.
 

Published on Apr 4, 2012
Original motion picture soundtrack (1960). Composed and conducted by Elmer Bernstein.
Playlist:

-00:00 = "Main Title And Calvera"
-01:55 = "Quest"
-02:48 = "Strange Funeral / After The Brawl"
-04:48 = "Vin's Luck"
-07:15 = "Calvera's Return"
-08:55 = "Petra's Declaration"
-10:02 = "Surprise"
-10:47 = "Crossroads"
-12:16 = "Calvera Killed"
-13:43 = "Finale"