Lalo Schifrin, Iconic Composer of 'Mission: Impossible' Theme, Dies at 93
Lalo Schifrin, renowned for the 'Mission: Impossible' theme, passed away at 93 due to pneumonia complications, leaving behind a legacy of musical brilliance.
Overview
- Lalo Schifrin, famous for his 'Mission: Impossible' theme, died peacefully at 93 in his Los Angeles home surrounded by family.
- He won four Grammy Awards and received six Oscar nominations during his illustrious career.
- Schifrin's most memorable melody, the 'Mission: Impossible' theme, is noted for its unique 5/4 time signature.
- In 2018, he was honored with a lifetime achievement Oscar, celebrating his contributions to music.
- Schifrin collaborated with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and composed the grand finale for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Lalo Schifrin's death with a focus on his significant contributions to music, emphasizing his accolades and unique style. They express a respectful tone, highlighting his legacy while providing factual details about his life and career. Implicitly, they convey admiration for his artistic impact.
"Lalo Schifrin, the composer who wrote the endlessly catchy theme for "Mission: Impossible" and more than 100 other arrangements for film and television, died Thursday."
NBC News"Lalo Schifrin, the Grammy Award-winning composer of the Mission: Impossible theme, has died aged 93, his family announced."
BBC News"Lalo Schifrin, the composer who wrote the endlessly catchy theme for "Mission: Impossible" and more than 100 other arrangements for film and television, died Thursday."
CBS News"Lalo Schifrin, the composer who wrote the endlessly catchy theme for “Mission: Impossible” and more than 100 other arrangements for film and television, died Thursday."
ABC News"Lalo Schifrin, who died on Thursday at the age of 93, was a genius at combining rhythm, texture, instrumentation and melody in a powerful and unique way."
NPRArticles (7)
FAQ
Lalo Schifrin was inspired by the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s 'Take Five' and found the 5/4 tempo to be forceful and unsettling, which suited the tone of Mission: Impossible. The time signature came naturally to him and helped make the theme iconic and memorable.
Lalo Schifrin won four Grammy Awards, including two for the Mission: Impossible theme, and was nominated for six Academy Awards. In 2018, he received a lifetime achievement Oscar honoring his contributions to music.
No, Lalo Schifrin did not compose the scores for the Mission: Impossible films beginning in 1996. However, he met with other film composers and encouraged them to have fun with his theme, appreciating that new generations were discovering it.
Lalo Schifrin composed music for several television shows such as Mannix and Starsky & Hutch, as well as classic films including Cool Hand Luke, Bullitt, and the Dirty Harry series. He also collaborated with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and composed the grand finale for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
The Mission: Impossible theme was very successful commercially, selling more than half a million copies in the US and reaching No. 1 in several countries including Europe and Australia. Critically, it was highly acclaimed, winning two Grammy Awards and becoming one of the most recognizable TV theme songs of all time.
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