Of the six composers nominated for 2015’s Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, two of them haver earned their first nomination - Antonio Sánchez and Johann Johannsson. There was a bit of controversy surrounding Sánchez’s score.  Within the same time period of garnering his first Golden Globe nomination, Sánchez learned that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science (the Oscars) dropped his score from their list of their nominees on the grounds that it was “diluted by the use of tracked themes or other preexisting music.”  Meanwhile, Johannsson (born in Iceland) is no stranger to the field of American film composing. His previous works include Wicker Park (2004), McCanick (2013), and Prisoners (2013).  The four remaining composers rounding out the list of nominees include Hans Zimmer, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Alexandre Desplat.  View the nominated albums and the winner of the award below.

View Previous Golden Globe Nominees and Winners

• 2014 Golden Globe Nominees and Winner for Best Original Score
• 2012 Golden Globe Nominees and Winner for Best Original Score
• 2011 Golden Globe Nominees and Winner for Best Original Score
   

1. Birdman - Antonio Sánchez

Sánchez’s Birmdan is by far the most different score of the bunch. Sánchez was born in Mexico and excelled at playing the drums.  He later graduated from the National Conservatory with a degree in classical piano, and moved to Boston to attend Berklee’s College of Music, where he graduated with top honors in Jazz Improvisation.  His score for ?Birdman is expertly played entirely on the drum.  Listen to Antonio Sánchez’s Birdman.More »

2. Gone Girl - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

Gone Girl is the third film score created by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Previous scores include The Social Network (which won the Golden Globe for Best Original Film Score in 2011) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The duo’s goal for this album was to create a peaceful atmospheric soundscape with encroaching noises of electrical and synthetic disturbances designed to keep the audiences perched on the edge of their seats.  Listen to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s Gone Girl.More »

3. The Imitation Game - Alexandre Desplat

This is Alexandre Desplat’s seventh Golden Globe nomination since his first in 2004, for Girl with a Pearl Earring.  In 2007, Desplat won the award for his score, The Painted Veil.  He has also earned six Academy Award nominations, six British Academy Film Award nominations, and six Grammy Award nominations. Listen to Alexandre Desplat’s ?The Imitation Game.More »

4. Interstellar - Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer’s score for Interstellar is quite remarkable. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of his best pieces of work to date. His grandiose use of the overly dominant pipe organ elevates the music onto a religious and existential plane. Zimmer is no stranger to receiving nominations. With 12 Golden Globe nominations and two wins, nine Academy Awards and one win, and eleven Grammy Awards and four wins, I would not be surprised if his Interstellar will bring in one more coveted award. Listen to Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar.More »

5. The Theory of Everything - Johann Johannsson (WINNER)

As I mentioned before, this is the first Golden Globe nomination for Icelandic composer, Johann Johannsson. With dozens of impressive film scores in Iceland and the UK, it was only a matter of time before his work in the US film industry would be favorably recognized by critics. Listen to Johann Johannsson’s The Theory of Everything.More »