Classic Hollywood

Classic Hollywood music sprang up in the 1930s and 1940s, when filmmakers realised a rousing orchestral score could distract viewers from dodgy plotlines and questionable acting. Characterised by sweeping melodies and dramatic flourishes, it's the sort of music that makes one feel as if they've just received a telegram announcing the arrival of a long-lost heir. It’s so iconic that even those who haven’t a clue about cinema recognise it as the soundtrack to existential crises and epic romances, usually accompanied by a side of popcorn.