Ernst Sigmund Goldner, professionally known as Ernest Gold, was a renowned Austrian-born American composer, best recognized for his iconic work on the 1960 film Exodus.
Early Career
Gold's first symphony was performed by the NBC Orchestra in 1939, just a year after his move to the United States. In 1941, he composed another symphony, which was later played at Carnegie Hall in 1945. The same year, he relocated to Hollywood, where he worked with Columbia Pictures, scoring the melodrama Girl of the Limberlost.
Minor Films and Breakthrough
Gold continued to work on B-movies, orchestrating and arranging music for westerns and melodramas, until he was approached by Stanley Kramer to orchestrate Not as a Stranger in 1955. This collaboration opened doors for Gold to work with Kramer on numerous films, including A Child Is Waiting and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.
Original Scores and Exodus
In 1958, Gold produced his first original film score for Too Much, Too Soon. His big break came in 1959 when he was asked to score On the Beach after George Antheil fell ill. Gold's work on Exodus in 1960 solidified his reputation, earning him a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
Broadway and Television
Gold's next notable project was the Broadway musical I'm Solomon in 1968. He also wrote music for television, including Fun with Dick and Jane. In his later years, Gold served as the musical director of the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra and founded the Los Angeles Senior Citizens Orchestra.
Concert Works and Legacy
Gold's concert works include a piano concerto, a string quartet, and a piano sonata. His contributions to the film industry were recognized with Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. He won a Golden Globe in 1960 for Best Motion Picture Score for On the Beach and was the first composer to have his name engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Notable Samples and Awards
Gold's work on Exodus was sampled by Moby in his song Porcelain. The film Exodus won an Academy Award for Best Music and a Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album.
