By E mily E. Hogstad Max Steiner, hailed as the “father of film music,” is one of the most influential composers in the history of Hollywood. Over the course of a career that spanned half a century, Steiner crafted some of the most iconic scores in cinematic history. Steiner was no stranger to the world of classical music. In fact, he took massive inspiration from Richard Wagner, his tutor Gustav Mahler, and even his godfather, Richard Strauss. Today, we’re looking at the life of Max Steiner and his impact on the world of cinema…including the taxing work assignment with a deadline so tight, it required twenty-hour workdays and amphetamines to meet. Max Steiner Max Steiner’s Family Background Max Steiner was born on 10 May 1888 in Vienna. His family’s roots in Viennese arts and culture ran deep. He was named after his grandfather Maximilian Steiner, the theater director who popularised Viennese operetta and convinced Johann Strauss II to write for t...
