Lalo Schifrin, the celebrated composer behind the iconic theme for Mission: Impossible and contributor to the scores of over 100 films and television shows, has passed away at the age of 93.
His sons, William and Ryan Schifrin, confirmed the news of his death.
The Argentine maestro earned four Grammy Awards and received six Oscar nominations, including five for Best Original Score for films such as Cool Hand Luke; The Fox; Voyage of the Damned; The Amityville Horror; and The Sting II.
“Every movie has its own personality. There are no rules to write music for movies,” Schifrin stated in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press.
“The movie dictates what the music will be.”
Schifrin also composed the grand finale musical performance for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, a historic event that marked the first time The Three Tenors—Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jose Carreras—performed together.
This composition became one of the best-selling classical music recordings of all time.
Born Boris Claudio Schifrin in Buenos Aires to a Jewish family, his father was the concertmaster of the philharmonic orchestra. Schifrin received a classical music education in addition to studying law.
After attending the Paris Conservatory, where he studied harmony and composition under Olivier Messiaen, Schifrin returned to Argentina and founded a concert band.
Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie discovered Schifrin and invited him to become his pianist, arranger, and composer.
In 1958, Schifrin relocated to the United States, where he performed and recorded with renowned artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and George Benson.
He then transitioned to composing music for television and Hollywood films.
In 2018, Clint Eastwood presented him with an honorary Oscar statuette in recognition of his outstanding contributions to film music.
In addition to his sons, Schifrin is survived by his daughter, Frances, and his wife, Donna.
