I see that John Kander, more famous for his Broadway musicals such as CABARET and CHICAGO - but has also scored a few films as well (PLACES IN THE HEART et al), turns 95 this week. His most recent music is from 2018.
There's also japanese composer Michio Mamiya (born in 1929). He wrote the score for the Studio Ghibli film Grave of the Fireflies (1988) and a few other works, but that was his last film.
Very true words, TG. '81 sounds early, though. You're not THAT much older than me, so they must have passed relatively young? Of course, losing a grandparent isn't as sad as losing one's parents, but it still puts things in perspective. At soon-to-be 45, I'm no longer a young whippersnapper, but there was some comfort in knowing there were TWO generations ahead of me. Now there's only one.
Some sad deletions to the list since the last time, but also the chance to add a new year -- 1938 -- now that we've moved into 2023. I've added some 1938 names in the first post, I'd love more suggestions.
By the way, Johnny Pate, the oldest living film composer that I'm aware of, turns 100 this year.
George Dreyfus Barry de Vorzon Paul Glass Patrick Gleeson Charles Gross Shunsuke Kikuchi Jan Klusák Aleksandr Zatsepin
We can also now add people born in the spring of 1935, but I couldn't think of any. Except Herb Alpert, and although he's done 2-3 film/TV things, I'm not sure he qualifies. Peter Schickele is just one month shy from getting on the list, though. Jules Bass shortly thereafter.
Well not so much for film anymore, though his concert music is constantly used in film, Philip Glass (at 86) published an opera and two symphonies (13 and 14) in the last two years as well as a quartet (No.9) and was announced to premiere a major symphony for the Kennedy Center last year but it was delayed. Not sure what his last proper film score was.
Paul Chihara may be retired as a film composer Thor, but he’s still very active as a concert hall composer getting commissions left and right (like Corigliano… who knows if he’ll ever score another film but that still doesn’t mean he’s retired as a composer)
Denny Zeitlin seems to be still active in at least releasing albums (of old material), wine tasting, mountain biking and fly fishhing. Not sure if he's still performing/composing, but I imagine he is. You can even book a psychiatric consultation with him. His appointments book is active.
