Victor Young
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Victor Young (August 8, 1899 - November 10, 1956) was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.
Young began as a concert violinist but moved into the popular music sphere when he joined Ted Fiorito's orchestra. In the mid '30s he moved to Hollywood where he concentrated on film work as well as making a large number of recordings of light music and providing the backing for popular singers including Bing Crosby.
His composer credits include "When I Fall In Love," "Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme)," "Sweet Sue", "Can't We Talk It Over", "Street Of Dreams", "Love Letters", "My Foolish Heart", "Stella By Starlight", and "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You".
He received 22 Academy Award nominations for his work in film, twice being nominated 4 times in a single year, but did not win during his lifetime. He received his only Oscar posthumously, for his score of Around the World in Eighty Days (1956). His other scores include Golden Boy (1939), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943), Love Letters (1945), Samson and Delilah (1949), The Quiet Man (1952), Scaramouche (1952), and Shane (1953). His last film score was for Omar Khayyam (film), starring Cornel Wilde and released by Paramount in 1957, after Young's death.
Victor Young died in Palm Springs, California at age 57 following a cerebral hemorrhage.
[edit] Work on Broadway
- Murder at the Vanities (1933) - musical - contributing composer
- Blackbirds of 1933 (1933) - revue - featured songwriter
- Winged Victory (1944) - play - performer for the role of "Lee"
- Arms and the Girl (1950) - musical - performer for the role of "Son of Liberty"
- Pardon Our French (1950) - revue - composer
- Seventh Heaven (1955) - musical - composer
[edit] Sources
- Young, Victor. Cinema Rhapsodies: The Musical Genius of Victor Young Ontario: (Hit Parade Records, 2006).
