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The
Dynasty music means a special sensation to the fans since it had
charmed them as far back as in the 80's. After so many years, the
famous opening theme can be heard nowadays, as evergreen.
It
happens that we, sometimes, recognize the music from the series in
advertisements, as the background of a TV show, mobile phones
often ring with the Dynasty strokes, while on CD compilations of
the best music film and TV themes there regularly appear the
opening theme from this glamorous TV series.
As
per wish of the Shapiro couple, Bill Conti made a non-typical
music for the series. The high budget allowed a lot of effort to
be exercised in order to create a beautiful opening theme as the
trade mark of the series. His music numbers from the Dynasty are
of the same range as the most famous film music themes, but still
original and melodically rampant, in accordance with the glamour
and strength of the Carringtons and the Colbys.
It
should be pointed out that the Bill Conti's music is present in
all the most exciting moments of the series as the instrumental
background of monologues, dialogues, love, but also conflict and
dramatic scenes. It is not a 'computer' generated music, but a
music of varied dynamics, with symphonic elements, authentic and
unique.
A
prolific composer of film and television music, Bill Conti was born
on April 13, 1942 in Providence, Rhode Island. He learned piano from his father, and later took up the bassoon.
While studying composition at Louisiana
State
University, Conti also performed with the school's symphony orchestra,
spending his evenings playing jazz in local clubs.
He
subsequently earned his Master's degree from Julliard before
relocating to
Italy
in 1967. There he first broke into films, composing and arranging
music for productions including "Juliette de Sade" and
"Candidato per un Assassino". In 1971 Conti scored
Vittorio de Sica's Oscar-winning "Il Giardino dei
Finzi-Contini", bringing his music to the attention of the
international audiences; he subsequently returned to the U.S., where he composed the soundtracks for features including 1973's
"Blume in Love" and 1974's "Harry and Tonto".
Conti
shot to fame in 1976 with his score for "Rocky". The
soundtrack album went platinum, and the main theme, "Gonna Fly
Now," topped the
U.S.
pop charts. Conti and star Sylvester Stallone subsequently reunited
for chapters two, three and five in the "Rocky" series, as
well as 1978's "F.I.S.T." and "Paradise Alley".
In 1981 he scored the James Bond feature "For Your Eyes
Only", scoring a Top Five hit with the title track, sung by
Sheena Easton. After two previous nominations, Conti won an Oscar in
1983 for his work on "The Right Stuff".
At
about the same time he became a prolific composer of television
themes, writing music for series including "Dynasty",
"The Colbys", "Falcon Crest", "Cagney and
Lacey" and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". He
also served as musical director for a number of Academy Awards
telecasts, winning an Emmy for his work at the 1992 ceremony.
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