Lalo Schifrin
It is with a heavy heart, and a profound sense of loss that we mark the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Lalo Schifrin.
A uniquely gifted composer, arranger, conductor and pianist, with a career spanning more than six decades, his genre-defying style, combining jazz, classical and Latin influences leaves an indelible musical legacy for film, television and the concert hall.
Lalo was an Advisory Board Member since the SCL’s inception, and as a devoted advocate for the rights and recognition of his fellow creators, championed the elevation of film and TV music as an art form. He was officially honored as an Ambassador in 2008, and anyone who had the privilege of being present witnessed Lalo’s sublime performance at the piano. It was truly a special experience. He was honored again with the SCL’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Former SCL Board member, Ira Hearshen, was Lalo’s longtime orchestrator. He has offered a personal tribute below.
Rest in peace Lalo. Your music will continue to enrich, and entertain the world forever.
Ashley Irwin
SCL President
I worked as Lalo’s orchestrator for about 20 years. There were quite a few special moments that happened over that time. I’d like to share one or two that really give a sense of Lalo, his personality, and the perspective he had about this business.
We were recording the score to “Bringing Down The House” at Paramount. He composed about a 1-minute cue, very simple and transparent, to introduce a wealthy racist, proper dowager riding on a golf cart (played by Joan Plowright). The music was so right on for the scene that upon recording it, in one take, the entire orchestra burst into applause for the music! We broke for lunch. I congratulated Lalo on the cue. His reply was to the point: “IRA… IT’S ONLY A MOVIE!”
His ability to complete huge amounts of music to make a deadline was absolutely amazing! We were scoring the movie “The Beverly Hillbillies” at Warner Bros. with a full orchestra. We had to record a source piece to underscore a waltz dancing scene for a white-tie dinner taking place at the Washington Capitol. The music went in and out for scene changes and under dialogue. The whole cue was about five and a half minutes. Lalo brought in a complete score that ghosted Ravel’s “La Valse,” yet was entirely his. He told me he had written it the night before.
Stories like these, and musicians like Lalo, still inspire, influence, impress me to this day.
– Ira Hearshen
Read more about Lalo Schifrin’s career in this tribute by Jon Burlingame
in Variety.