MI:Ghost Protocol by Michael Giacchino

Michael Giacchino returns for the latest Mission Impossible film Ghost Protocol. Both film and soundtrack are the best in the series to date, the music swinging between moments of nail-biting tension and all-out action, cleverly integrating Schifrin's much-loved television theme. More...

Mozart and his Piano Sonatas

Mozart's genius is apparent in his symphonies, concertos, masses and operas, but it also shows in his chamber music. He learned to play keyboards from an early age, and his piano sonatas seem to spring from an endless supply of musical inspiration:

• Piano Sonata in B-flat (K.333) - 1st movement
• Piano Sonata in C (K.545) - The "simple" one (1st movement)
• Piano Sonata in A (K.331) - Rondo Alla Turca (3rd movement)

The Rum Diary by Christopher Young

Christopher Young is known mainly for his horror scores, but he is a versatile composer. The Rum Diary is a jazz-based soundtrack which is full of fun-loving music, often led by saxophone with a live sound and feel-good warmth. More...

John Williams' The Adventures of Tintin

From the start John Williams' The Adventures of Tintin (his first animation score) is character-driven with some whimsical orchestration and a Gallic flavour. Yet before long its rich thematic material and boundless energy will carry you headlong into mystery and adventure. More...

Bernard Herrmann: Psycho

Continuing our Horror Theme for Halloween, we look at that most iconic horror film score Psycho by Bernard Herrmann. Herrmann's strings-only approach mirrors Hitchock's black and white palette, proving that less can be more. More...

Ennio Morricone: The Thing

For John Carpenter's The Thing, composer Ennio Morricone's music paints a bleak picture of isolation and "alienation". As we approach Halloween, we review this classic horror score. More...

Hector Berlioz - a true romantic

Hector Berlioz was a key composer of the Romantic era. His passionate love life spilled into his music in the "Symphonie Fantastique". Its main theme features in all the movements which become increasingly imaginative as the Symphony progresses. More...

The Great Miracle by Mark McKenzie

An animated religious movie seems an unlikely film for beautiful music, but composer Mark McKenzie has clearly poured his heart and soul into The Great Miracle and created a lush, sweeping, spiritual masterpiece. More...

Haunted by Debbie Wiseman

Based on a James Herbert novel, Haunted is a ghost story with strong emotional threads of romance and regret. Composer Debbie Wiseman focusses her music on these elements with gorgeous melodies tinged with sadness. More...

James Newton Howard: Water/Elephants

The music for Water for Elephants is a beguiling and hugely attractive effort by James Newton Howard, blending soothing melodies and darker sections in one smoothly melodious package. One of this year's great scores. More...

War Horse by John Williams

In War Horse composer John Williams bridges from the idyllic countryside of Devon to the ravages of war-torn France. His multi-faceted score balances sentimentality with a genuine yet understated sympathy for the many characters caught up in this "war to end all wars". More...

Scott Joplin and Ragtime composers

We have some new ragtime music composed by Scott Joplin, Scott Hayden and James Scott. All these new pieces are for piano, and the sheet music can be downloaded in PDF format. Our full catalogue of piano rags with information about ragtime composers is available from our Ragtime Music page.

• Pleasant Moments (Ragtime Waltz) - Scott Joplin
• A Breeze from Alabama by Scott Joplin
• Sunflower Slow Drag - Scott Joplin & Scott Hayden
• Frogs Legs Rag by James Scott
• Grace and Beauty (A Classy Rag) by James Scott

Alex North: A Streetcar Named Desire

With his moody soundtrack to A Streetcar Named Desire composer Alex North completely rewrote the rulebook, making an important turning point in the history of film music. His ground-breaking score was the first to use jazz, and was a major influence on later composers. More...

Elliot Goldenthal: Titus

The Shakepearean adaptation Titus is one of Elliot Goldenthal's best collaborations with partner Julie Taymor. His music mimics the production's anachronistic mixing of cultures. Goldenthal is an expert at this, and the classical, bombastic and jazzy mix is one of his best film scores to date. More...

Horror Music - A Halloween Special

Some composers make pleasant, uplifting music. Others are inspired by the dark side. Our Halloween Special Horror in Music looks at this darker music and the composers who have created it. Be very afraid! More...

A Visit with Miklos Rozsa

A Visit with Miklos Rozsa is a tribute by author and historian Jeffrey Dane describing his meetings with the composer. To illustrate the article we are pleased to publish a number of photos of Rozsa and his home in the Hollywood Hills. More...

Handel and the Water Music

George Frideric Handel was born in Germany, but moved to England where he composed music for Royal Events: "Music for the Royal Fireworks" and "Water Music". Download Sheet Music and Audio Files for the famous "Hornpipe" from Handel's Water Music. More...

Patrick Doyle: Rise / Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the latest score in a busy year for Patrick Doyle. His music is often dark and brooding with good use of electronic sounds and African rhythms, yet lending the apes a sympathetic warm nobility. More...

Captain America by Alan Silvestri

Captain America the latest Marvel superhero has a gloriously old fashioned score by Alan Silvestri. The film has a nostalgic retro feel as it explores the character's origins and Silvestri's music grows the heroic theme as the story unfolds. More...

The Music of James Horner

"The Music of James Horner" is a new double album celebrating James Horner's film music. The collection ranges from early hits "Battle Beyond The Stars" and "The Wrath Of Khan" to recent scores "Avatar" and "The Karate Kid". More...

Giallo by Marco Werba

Director Dario Argento's films are often known for their synth-rock soundtracks. But for Giallo composer Marco Werba has created an orchestral score with haunting themes, which ably delivers the film's suspense and horror. More...