Composing Charlie Chaplin

chaplin playing cello in 1915

chaplin developed passion music child , taught himself play piano, violin, , cello. considered musical accompaniment of film important, , woman of paris onwards took increasing interest in area. advent of sound technology, chaplin began using synchronised orchestral soundtrack – composed himself – city lights (1931). thereafter composed scores of films, , late 1950s death, scored of silent features , of short films.

as chaplin not trained musician, not read sheet music , needed of professional composers, such david raksin, raymond rasch , eric james, when creating scores. musical directors employed oversee recording process, such alfred newman city lights. although critics have claimed credit film music should given composers worked him, raksin – worked chaplin on modern times – stressed chaplin s creative position , active participation in composing process. process, take months, start chaplin describing composer(s) wanted , singing or playing tunes had improvised on piano. these tunes developed further in close collaboration among composer(s) , chaplin. according film historian jeffrey vance, although relied upon associates arrange varied , complex instrumentation, musical imperative his, , not note in chaplin musical score placed there without assent.

chaplin s compositions produced 3 popular songs. smile , composed modern times (1936) , later set lyrics john turner , geoffrey parsons, hit nat king cole in 1954. limelight, chaplin composed terry s theme , popularised jimmy young eternally (1952). finally, song , performed petula clark countess hong kong (1967), reached number 1 on uk , other european charts. chaplin received competitive oscar composition work, limelight theme won academy award best original score in 1973 following film s re-release.

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