James Horner, a composer for movie scores, died yesterday in an aircraft accident, piloting his own small plane.

From the HollywoodReporter.com:

James Horner, Film Composer for ‘Titanic’ and ‘Braveheart,’ Dies in Plane Crash

by Mike Barnes

James Horner, the consummate film composer known for his heart-tugging scores for Field of Dreams, Braveheart and Titanic, for which he won two Academy Awards, died Monday in a plane crash near Santa Barbara. He was 61.

Horner was piloting the small aircraft when it crashed into a remote area about 60 miles north of Santa Barbara, officials said. An earlier report noted that the plane, which was registered to the composer, had gone down, but the pilot had not been identified.

His lengthy film résumé includes The Lady in Red (1979), Wolfen (1981), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1983), Red Heat (1988), Glory (1989), The Rocketeer (1991), Patriot Games (1992), Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), Jumanji (1995), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Troy (2004) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).

Let me please unequivocally state that some of the best — probably the best — orchestral work is done today for movie soundtracks.  Probably some of the best music, period.

A sad day indeed.  Please play the video above for a remembrance, nicely done.

BZ