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Charles Bernstein

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Charles Bernstein is an American composer of film and television music, born in 1943 in Minneapolis. His mother was a pianist. He studied music at the Juilliard School and is not related to Elmer Bernstein or Leonard Bernstein. He wrote his first film music for the documentary Czechoslovakia 1968 from 1969, a film without spoken commentary, in which only music and a few sound effects told the story. The documentary won an Oscar.

Music and breakthrough

In the 1970s he scored low-budget films and, from White Lightning in 1973, starring Burt Reynolds, larger Hollywood productions too. Gator, Mr. Majestyk and Love at First Bite followed, for which he also wrote the dance music. In the 1980s he wrote music for horror films such as The Entity, Cujo, April Fool's Day and Deadly Friend. On the advice of his agent he met Wes Craven, who had him write the music for A Nightmare on Elm Street from 1984, of which Main Title is the opening music.

Influence

Bernstein also wrote music for documentaries, one of which, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, won an Oscar, and for television films such as Sadat. He won a Daytime Emmy and was twice nominated for a Primetime Emmy. His work shows how film music can create a frightening atmosphere with simple means, such as synthesizer sounds that repeat ominously.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Main Title from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Notice the electronic sounds and how the music builds tension without needing a real melody.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsHorror synth (Carpenter school)