I find it very hard to believe that a moog had not been used in a film score prior to 1969.
I can't think of an earlier example, but I still find it hard to believe.
Well, the Moog went into production in 1967, and commercial success came the following year with Switched-On Bach by Walter/Wendy Carlos (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moog_synthesizer). Also, the first live performance by a rock group was in 1970 (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). I think 1969 is not at all a too late date for a Moog in a film.
Given that during the early years the ARP synthesizer was Moog's main rival, it should be noted as well:
The first use of an ARP in a soundtrack was, I think - 1969 THE ILLUSTRATED MAN (Jerry Goldsmith)
First score recorded at each major/famous recording studios First score to a film in color First Big Band First complete score specially written for piano First Dolby-recording What could be the last Golden Age or Hollywoodstyle score When do we call a score Silver Age First stereo recording of a score First score released in stereo First cd of a soundtrack
The first use of an ARP in a soundtrack was, I think - 1969 THE ILLUSTRATED MAN (Jerry Goldsmith)
Actually, it's a Moog modular synthesizer (courtesy of electronic music pioneer Paul Beaver) that was used in THE ILLUSTRATED MAN*. Furthermore, this movie premiered in March '69, around 9 months prior to ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE.
Anyways, the first ever use of a Moog synthesizer (I think it was Herb Deutsch's prototype) in a soundtrack was Maurice Jarre's DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965). The Moog is hardy audible (if at all?) in this score though--afaik it was only used to reinforce other instruments and not used on its own-- so I'm not sure if this film score counts.
The first score I know of in which the Moog can actually be heard is the soundtrack to the psychedelic film THE TRIP (music recorded in May 1967). Paul Beaver programmed and played the Moog in that score too. Beaver and his companion, Bernie Krause, also used the Moog for sound effects in ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968) as well as in PERFORMANCE (1970).
* The first ARP synth didn't appear until 1970: the ARP 2500. Afaik Jerry Goldsmith first used the 2500 in 1976's LOGAN'S RUN alongside an ARP 2600 and orchestra.
FYI, Max Winkler's claim that he was the one responsible for the musical cue sheet has been disproved by Rick Altman in his book, "Silent Film Sound" (2007). Winkler's claim was that he invented the cue sheet in 1912 for Herbert Brennon's WAR BRIDES, but the film wasn't released until 1916. Edison was publishing cue sheets in "The Edison Kinetogram," and Kalem was publishing full, all-original scores composed by Walter C. Simon for their films as early as November, 1911.
Anyone interested in the formations of music history before the sound era should definitely check out Altman's book.
You should also add DON JUAN in 1926 being the first recorded score to play with a film.
I forgot to mention that Paul Beaver & Bernie Krause also programmed the big Moog on Stu Phillips soundtrack to "The Name Of The Game Is Kill" (film released in May '68). . I haven't seen that film so I don't know to what extent the synth was used though.
Another sci-fi flick featuring an electronic score by Beaver & Krause is "The Last Days Of Man On Earth" aka The Final programme from 1973.
Yes, I would have said that THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL was the first use of Moog in a film soundtrack.
Perhaps the first film to be entirely scored via Moog Synthesizer was the little-known 1970 film DIDN'T YOU HEAR, scored by Mort Garson. The film was produced in the Pacific Northwest, and only received regional release.
I cannot find my copy of the Monkee's HEAD album, so I am not sure if the Moog was used on it. I know Mickey Dolenz had experimented with the Moog back in 1967, and HEAD is from 1968, but I honestly don't recall if the Moog appeared on that soundtrack. I'm hoping somebody will know.
IAlso, I didn't know that about Saint-Saens composing the first film score. Is that an undisputed fact?
Yes, untill someone digs up something earlier. Prior to that, it was basically existing cues from classical or whatever popular music existed at the time; played live-to-screen in the theatre.
1908- L'assassinat du duc de guise (The Assassination of the Duke of Guise) - Saint-Saëns - fist complete original score for a movie
1909- Max Winkler's publicated "Suggestions for Music" with a filmmusic-cue-sheet for silent films (but disproved by Rick Altman in his book, "Silent Film Sound" (2007))
1911- Edison was publishing cue sheets in "The Edison Kinetogram," and Kalem was publishing full, all-original scores composed by Walter C. Simon for their films.
1911- Arrah-Na-Pough - Walter Cleveland Simon - first original score for an American film
1915- The Birth of a Nation - Joseph Carl Breil - first mentioning name of composer on filmtitels/crew
1921- Dream Street - experiment with sound and film
1926- Don Juan - first recorded score to play with a film
1927- The Jazz Singer - first real sound film
1931- Odna ("Alone") - Dmitri Shostakovich -first use of a theremin in a film score
1933- King Kong - Max Steiner - start Golden Age
1936 -Things to come - Arthur Bliss - first release of a British film score
1937 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - first score released separately from the film
1951- A Streetcar Named Desire - Alexander North -first Jazz score
1952- Limelight - Charles Chaplin - first film scored by its star and director
1955- Cobweb - Leonard Rosenman - first atonale (avant-garde) music
1955- Blackboard Jungle -first film to use rock songs as a film score
1956- Street Of Shame - Toshiro Mayuzumi -all-electronic score (Which is first?)
1956- Forbidden Planet - Louis and Bebe Barron - first complete electronic score (Which is first?)
1959 - Sleeping Beauty - first stereo soundtrack album
1960- Beat Girl - John Barry - first UK release of a film score
1965- Doctor Zhivago - Maurice Jarre - the first use of a Moog synthesizer (Herb Deutsch's prototype?) (it was only used to reinforce other instruments and not used on its own)
1967- The Trip - ??? - Paul Beaver programmed and played the Moog in that score - the first score in which the Moog can actually be heard
1967- Wait Until Dark - Henry Mancini - first use of quarter tones in score
1969- Easy Rider - The first film to utilize a socalled "compilation score" of previously existing rock songs.
1970- Didn't You Hear - Mort Garson - first entirely scored via Moog Synthesize filmscore
1976- Logan's Run - Jerry Goldsmith - first used of the ARP 2500 alongside an ARP 2600 and orchestra.
1977- Star Wars - John Williams - revival of the Hollywood Style
1979- The Black Hole - John Barry - First digitally recorded score
IAlso, I didn't know that about Saint-Saens composing the first film score. Is that an undisputed fact?
Yes, untill someone digs up something earlier. Prior to that, it was basically existing cues from classical or whatever popular music existed at the time; played live-to-screen in the theatre.
It is written for small ensemble.
My father, Iman Soeteman, orchestrated this piece (there are 5 'tableaux') for orchestra in 1996 I think it is also publiced...
First movies/soundtracks to feature the Moog synthesizer:
Movie title / composer / Moog operator / release date
1. THE TRIP - Electric Flag - Paul Beaver - Aug 1967 2. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL - Stu Phillips - Paul Beaver - May 1968 3. THE ILLUSTRATED MAN - Jerry Goldsmith - Paul Beaver & Bernie Krause - March 1969 4. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - John Barry - ???? - Dec 1969 5. PERFORMANCE - Jack Nietschze - Bernie Krause - Aug 1970 (according to Krause the Moog parts were recorded in the latter half of '69) 6. DIDN'T YOU HEAR - Mort Garson - Mort Garson - 1970?
I'm pretty sure though that there are other soundtracks out there that made use of ARP synths before 1975. For example, I know that Italian composer Marcello Giombini was an early user of two ARP 2600's and I'm suspecting he used them in some of his own scores made prior to that.
update but still looking for more interesting stuff!!!!
HISTORY TIMELINE FILMMUSIC
1908- L'assassinat du duc de guise (The Assassination of the Duke of Guise) - Saint-Saëns - fist complete original score for a movie
1909- Max Winkler's publicated "Suggestions for Music" with a filmmusic-cue-sheet for silent films (but disproved by Rick Altman in his book, "Silent Film Sound" (2007))
1911- Edison was publishing cue sheets in "The Edison Kinetogram," and Kalem was publishing full, all-original scores composed by Walter C. Simon for their films.
1911- Arrah-Na-Pough - Walter Cleveland Simon - first original score for an American film
1915- The Birth of a Nation - Joseph Carl Breil - first mentioning name of composer on filmtitels/crew
1921- Dream Street - experiment with sound and film
1926- Don Juan - first recorded score to play with a film
1927- The Jazz Singer - first real sound film
1931- Odna ("Alone") - Dmitri Shostakovich -first use of a theremin in a film score
1933- King Kong - Max Steiner - start Golden Age
1936 -Things to come - Arthur Bliss - first release of a British film score
1937 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - first score released separately from the film
1951- A Streetcar Named Desire - Alexander North -first Jazz score
1952- Limelight - Charles Chaplin - first film scored by its star and director
1955- Cobweb - Leonard Rosenman - first atonale (avant-garde) music
1955- Blackboard Jungle -first film to use rock songs as a film score
1956- Street Of Shame - Toshiro Mayuzumi -all-electronic score (Which is first?)
1956- Forbidden Planet - Louis and Bebe Barron - first complete electronic score (Which is first?)
1959 - Sleeping Beauty - first stereo soundtrack album
1960- Beat Girl - John Barry - first UK release of a film score
1965- Doctor Zhivago - Maurice Jarre - the first use of a Moog synthesizer (Herb Deutsch's prototype?) (it was only used to reinforce other instruments and not used on its own)
1967- The Trip - Electric Flag - Paul Beaver programmed and played the Moog in that score - the first score in which the Moog can actually be heard
1967- Wait Until Dark - Henry Mancini - first use of quarter tones in score
1969- Easy Rider - The first film to utilize a socalled "compilation score" of previously existing rock songs.
1970- Didn't You Hear - Mort Garson - first entirely scored via Moog Synthesize filmscore
1975- Operation Daybreak - David Hentschel - first used of the ARP 2500 alongside an ARP 2600 and orchestra.
1977- Star Wars - John Williams - revival of the Hollywood Style
1979- The Black Hole - John Barry - First digitally recorded score
1908- L'assassinat du duc de guise (The Assassination of the Duke of Guise) - Saint-Saëns - fist complete original score for a movie
1909- Max Winkler's publicated "Suggestions for Music" with a filmmusic-cue-sheet for silent films (but disproved by Rick Altman in his book, "Silent Film Sound" (2007))
1911- Edison was publishing cue sheets in "The Edison Kinetogram," and Kalem was publishing full, all-original scores composed by Walter C. Simon for their films.
1911- Arrah-Na-Pough - Walter Cleveland Simon - first original score for an American film
1915- The Birth of a Nation - Joseph Carl Breil - first mentioning name of composer on filmtitels/crew
1921- Dream Street - experiment with sound and film
1926- Don Juan - first recorded score to play with a film
1927- The Jazz Singer - first real sound film
1931- Odna ("Alone") - Dmitri Shostakovich -first use of a theremin in a film score
1933- King Kong - Max Steiner - start Golden Age
1934 - One Night of Love - Receives first Academy Award for Best Score
1936 -Things to come - Arthur Bliss - first release of a British film score
1937 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - first score released separately from the film
1951- A Streetcar Named Desire - Alexander North -first Jazz score
1952- Limelight - Charles Chaplin - first film scored by its star and director
1955- Cobweb - Leonard Rosenman - first atonale (avant-garde) music
1955- Blackboard Jungle -first film to use rock songs as a film score
1956- Street Of Shame - Toshiro Mayuzumi -all-electronic score (Which is first?)
1956- Forbidden Planet - Louis and Bebe Barron - first complete electronic score (Which is first?)
1959 - Sleeping Beauty - first stereo soundtrack album
1960- Beat Girl - John Barry - first UK release of a film score
1965- Doctor Zhivago - Maurice Jarre - the first use of a Moog synthesizer (Herb Deutsch's prototype?) (it was only used to reinforce other instruments and not used on its own)
1967- The Trip - Electric Flag - Paul Beaver programmed and played the Moog in that score - the first score in which the Moog can actually be heard
1967- Wait Until Dark - Henry Mancini - first use of quarter tones in score
1969- Easy Rider - The first film to utilize a socalled "compilation score" of previously existing rock songs.
1970- Didn't You Hear - Mort Garson - first entirely scored via Moog Synthesize filmscore
1975- Operation Daybreak - David Hentschel - first used of the ARP 2500 alongside an ARP 2600 and orchestra.
1977- Star Wars - John Williams - revival of the Hollywood Style
1979- The Black Hole - John Barry - First digitally recorded score
I'm pretty sure though that there are other soundtracks out there that made use of ARP synths before 1975. For example, I know that Italian composer Marcello Giombini was an early user of two ARP 2600's and I'm suspecting he used them in some of his own scores made prior to that.
I'm guessing, but I think the synth effects used in Shamus and Hawkins, both 1973, were ARP. Could be Moogs, but they sound ARP-ish to me. Same could go for for Anna And The King from a year earlier, and Reincarnation Of Peter Proud from 1975.
The first ever film score to use a Moog modular (Herb Deutsch's prototype) has got to be Maurice Jarre's soundtrack to DOCTOR ZHIVAGO which was recorded back in Dec 1965! You'd be hard pressed to distinguish any synth sounds in this score though because the Moog was mainly used to blend with and reinforce other instruments of the orchestra. Furthermore, the Moog is buried so deep into the score it's barely audible (if at all?). For this reason I decided to exclude this movie/score from the list below. I did the same with Komeda's ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968), and John Barry's MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969) even though I know that a Moog was used in both scores.
Anyway, here's a list of late '60s filmscores in which the Moog can actually be heard:
Movie title / composer / Moog programmer / release date
1. THE TRIP - Electric Flag - Paul Beaver - Aug 1967 (music recorded in May 1967). 2. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL - Stu Phillips - Paul Beaver - May 1968 3. THE ILLUSTRATED MAN - Jerry Goldsmith - Paul Beaver & Bernie Krause - March 1969 4. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - John Barry - ???? - Dec 1969 5. PERFORMANCE - Jack Nitzsche - Bernie Krause - Aug 1970 (according to Krause the Moog parts were recorded/overdubbed in late '69) 6. DIDN'T YOU HEAR - Mort Garson - Mort Garson - 1970 This is probably the first filmscore done entirely with a Moog. 7.Theme from MEDICAL CENTER (TV-series, 2nd season) - Lalo Schifrin - Paul Bwaver - autumn 1970
