Introduction: “A Living Organism”

James Horner’s music is like a living organism – it grows and evolves over time, without losing any of its unique characteristics. If it were a real person, we’d be talking about dimples, wrinkles and freckles, the way they smile or rearrange their hair. As it is, we’re talking about a bassline here, a counterpoint horn there, that motif or one of many others. The music is one contineous, almost infinite organism that knows no past, present or future; with each score simply being a part of the larger organism. It has a character all of its own; one that we have seen grow and develop over the last three decades or so. One that has aged and matured, but is still undeniably the same character. And with Horner’s passing, we’re not only left wondering what would’ve become of Horner in another decade or two, but also what of his music?
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