Double Life: The Autobiography of Miklos Rozsa, Composer in the Golden Years of Hollywood

by Miklós Rózsa

Like all classical composers, the young Rozsa faced the problem of how to make a living writing serious music. At the suggestion of famed French composer Arthur Honegger, he turned to film music, and thus began a "double life." Well-known for his movie scores, including Spellbound , The Lost Weekend , The Thief of Baghdad and Ben-Hur , Rozsa has also written numerous classical works that have been performed by major orchestras the world over. In this serviceable, straightforward autobiography he chronicles his rise to success, from his childhood in a small Hungarian town to the film studios of Hollywood. He tells an uncomplicated tale of a life of accomplishment, filled with reminiscences of his friendships with the rich and famous. Now in his 80s, Rozsa looks back with justifiable satisfaction on a career in which he has composed in two styles without compromising either

Genres: Music, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming. A real pleasure to read. My only problem with this book was that my used copy had messy underlining in blue ink and unnecessary notes in all caps in the margins, so a funny story would be punctuated by "UGH," "WOW," or "CUTE" by an unknown editor. Please don't write in books...they are meant to be passed along and reread.

[Daniel Winnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I am a professional musician, I barely know the music of Rózsa and it was mere chance that I came upon his autobiography a week or two before I was to play a pops program on which his chariot theme from ‘Ben Hur’ was to be included. Now, I’m excited to view this and other classic films he scored, and to listen to—and hopefully play—some of the concert music he wrote, including apparently a great deal of music for strings.

His book is marvelously conversational and unpretentious, an unexpected delight. Amusing anecdotes abound, and one is given a window into the business of Hollywood during the 1940s to 1960s from a fresh and interesting angle.

Highly recommended for musicians, film buffs, and anyone concerned that their pursuit of a creative life will leave them destitute. (As Rózsa’s example shows, you just might need to be resourceful—and a little bit lucky, too.)

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the honest story of my favorite composer from the golden age of film music!