Walter Scharf

Full biography Walter Scharf

Walter Scharf was a prominent American composer, arranger, and conductor known for his work in film, television, and concert music. Born on August 1, 1910, in New York City, Scharf began his musical career as a pianist before transitioning to composing and arranging music for a variety of media.

Over the course of his career, Scharf worked on over 250 movies and television programs , earning ten Oscar nominations for his film work and winning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his television work. Some of his most well-known film scores include "The Amazing Mr. X," "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "Funny Girl," and "The Secret of NIMH." He also collaborated with lyricist Don Black on the music and lyrics for the London production of the musical "Dear Anyone" in 1973.

In addition to his work in film and television, Scharf was an accomplished concert composer, conductor, and arranger, with numerous recordings of his classical works available. He also wrote two books : "Composed and Conducted" (1988) and "The History of Music in Film."

Scharf's contributions to music have been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. He passed away on February 24, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of memorable and influential music.