Alex North quotes

Alex North was an American composer, recognized for his innovative contributions to film music. His scores bridged classical traditions with modern sensibilities, influencing generations of composers in Hollywood. He achieved lasting acclaim for iconic soundtracks such as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Spartacus." Here are 9 of his quotes:

Being an old radical, I like films like Spartacus. I could relate to the hero.

Alex North

The United States and Turkey are the only two countries that don't have some kind of subsidy for the Arts. The whole culture in society has made certain films more acceptable. I turned down so many films in the '60s and '70s.

Alex North

My best film composing experience was with Elia Kazan.

Alex North

I prefer to write music for family films. I like people.

Alex North

When I decided to go to a country that subsidized music, I went to the Soviet Union for two years.

Alex North

I like what I hear as a resulting combination of these two strands... something of a combination of familiarity and, for lack of a better word, strangeness.

Alex North

There are scores you have to write objectively without getting involved.

Alex North

Fear is a problem with film music and films; people want to be conventional, and there's more commercialism today. If you are not daring in your art, you're bankrupt.

Alex North