Miklós Rózsa

Miklós Rózsa, a name that resonates with the grandeur of classic Hollywood, left his native Hungary for a career that would span continents and cinematic genres. While his name sounds like it could have a nice, old-world Jewish pedigree, alas, the Rózsa family tree was firmly rooted in Hungarian Catholicism. So, not a Jew, but definitely a classical music connoisseur's delight.

After studying in Leipzig, Rózsa made his way to London, then Paris, and finally Hollywood, where he became synonymous with the epic film score. He had a particular knack for making a two-hour chariot race feel like an eternity (in a good way), earning him an Academy Award for Ben-Hur.

His versatility, however, extended far beyond historical dramas, encompassing noir thrillers (Double Indemnity, The Killers), psychological dramas (Spellbound, The Lost Weekend), and even some surprisingly subtle chamber music. A man of many notes, indeed, just not Jewish ones. His legacy continues to influence film composers, ensuring that his powerful themes will echo through multiplexes for generations to come.