Philip Glass is one of the few soundtrack composers that is famous for his movie and classical work as well.

His style is hypnotic, often a bit weird and unusual compared to music from great soundtrack composers like John Williams or classical ones like Beethoven. But he certainly is unique - and therefore not for everybody.

I personally love his hypnotic violin waves and delicate themes. It’s an almost surreal music - I guess that is why it was chosen for Koyaanisqatsi (1983) and later for Mishima (1985).

The Mishima soundtrack is a permanent item on my play lists for now over twenty year - and I am still loving it.

Click to play “November 25: The Last Day” (which is very similar to the Main Title):

Click to play “1937: Saint Sebastian”:

Click to play “Kyoko’s House (”Stage Blood Is Not Enough”)”:

Once again this music is not “easy listening”, but it’s well worth exploring. If you only want to buy one Philip Glass CD ever - than I recommend “Mishima”.

More? Philip Glass @ Wikipedia and Philip Glass @ Amazon.com

I love soundtracks. It when it comes to composers the late Jerry Goldsmith is a God amongst the Giants of classic soundtrack makers.

He has created many memorable themes and great orchestral scores for many famous and not so famous movies. This Maestro produced soundtracks like mortal men like you and me breathe.

His “Planet of the Apes” soundtrack is one of the most unusual tracks you can find. Strangely harmonic, yet disturbingly creepy. I still think that the movie itself would only be half as good without the soundtrack.

Click to play “Main Title”

Click to play “The Revelation”

It certainly isn’t “easy listening” - it’s actually very demanding music. But if you listen to it with your headphones on in the dark you suddenly will find yourself in an amazing vision of your own. This music inspires wild and bizarre images in your mind … or maybe nightmares …

More? “Planet of the Apes” @ Wikipedia

I am a big fan of symphonic soundtracks - they are the next best thing to classical music. The Godzilla soundtrack is pretty cool, has some great cheesy themes and moods. Just turn on that soundtrack and imagine yourself destroying Tokyo or Osaka.

Or watch this super cool old Godzilla trailer. Or watch this original Japanese Trailer for Godzilla vs Gigan. Ah, the joy of destruction!

More? Godzilla @Wikipedia or a gazillion video on YouTube