Choral Fantasy Meets Cinema
The enchanting sound of a choir has inspired countless epic film scenes—think of the iconic sound world of Ennio Morricone, the spiritual mystique of Philip Glass, or the raw vocal power of Jerry Goldsmith.
Film journalist Robin Broos made a selection, highlighting some of the most moving film scenes featuring choral music.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)
directed by Sergio Leone
The Ecstasy of Gold was written by Italian composer Ennio Morricone—a piece that perfectly showcases his genius. Composed for the film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and performed by a soprano, this western theme became one of the most iconic musical masterpieces in film history. Fun fact: the American metal band Metallica used it as the intro to their live shows.
The Omen (1976)
directed by Richard Donner
Legendary Hollywood composer Jerry Goldsmith wrote an unforgettable choral piece for the horror classic The Omen. The music clearly echoes Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and offers a glimpse into the dark origins of the character Damien. It’s a timeless battle: good versus evil, God versus the devil. And it’s all captured in this gothic score: Ave Satani.
Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
directed by Godfrey Reggio
Philip Glass’s hypnotic score for Koyaanisqatsi opens with persistent brass sounds that slowly build toward a climax: a synthesizer introducing the iconic ostinato bass line. That same sense of repetition returns in the choral piece Vessels, recorded with the vocal sextet The Western Wind. The result is one of the most moving choral works ever captured.
The Lion King (1994)
directed by Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
For The Lion King, Elton John and Tim Rice were tasked with writing unforgettable songs—but the film also needed a traditional score. Enter the rising German composer Hans Zimmer, who took on the project mainly to impress his six-year-old daughter. Early in production, the film’s direction was still unclear, but Zimmer brought in his South African friend Lebo M to add local flavour. The result: powerful choral music with an African twist.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
directed by Steven Spielberg
Saving Private Ryan marked a new era in war cinema. The film portrayed the brutal reality of World War II, but also the courage of its soldiers—partly through the decision to use very little music. Even so, composer John Williams delivered a final piece that sets the tone for the entire epic: Hymn to the Fallen evokes a sense of hope and strength amidst profound reverence.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
directed by Peter Jackson
For The Lord of the Rings trilogy, composer Howard Shore embraced the technique of leitmotifs—musical themes associated with key characters or situations—firmly placing himself in the tradition of 19th-century opera. These themes helped audiences navigate the vast array of characters. Across just three films, Shore wrote over 100 leitmotifs, many of which included stunning choral passages.
