Fred Myrow

Biography

Fredric Myrow (July 16, 1939 – January 14, 1999) was an American composer celebrated for his innovative contributions to both classical music and film scoring. His work seamlessly blended traditional orchestration with avant-garde and electronic elements, leaving a lasting impact on various musical genres.

Early Life and Musical Foundations

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Myrow was immersed in music from an early age. His father, Josef Myrow, was a renowned composer known for classics like "You Make Me Feel So Young," and his grandfather, Irving Mills, was a significant figure in music publishing. Relocating to Hollywood at age six, Myrow began composing by nine. He studied under Darius Milhaud in Aspen in 1956 and later attended the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. 

Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich recognized his talent, leading to a commission for "Symphonic Variations," performed at the Hollywood Bowl when Myrow was just 21. He earned multiple Fulbright and Rockefeller grants, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and served as composer-in-residence at the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein.

Film and Theater Contributions

Myrow's foray into film scoring began with John Boorman's Leo the Last (1970). He gained acclaim for his scores in Soylent Green (1973) and Scarecrow (1973). His most iconic work is the haunting score for the cult horror film Phantasm (1979), co-composed with Malcolm Seagrave, which has been lauded as one of the top horror movie soundtracks.

In the theater, Myrow served as composer-in-residence at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in the mid-1980s, producing numerous concerts and composing for various plays. His symphony "Frontiers," commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts, was performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1993. The following year, his ballet "Mango" premiered at the John Anson Ford Theater.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 1969, Myrow married actress Elana Eden, with whom he had three daughters: Rachael, Shira, and Neora. He passed away from a heart attack on January 14, 1999, at his home in Hollywood Hills at the age of 59. His diverse body of work continues to influence composers and musicians across genres.