Lalo Schifrin, who passed away at 93, left behind an extraordinary musical legacy that spanned an impressive range of genres—jazz, classical, Latin American, funk, rock, and avant-garde. As a conductor, he led prestigious ensembles such as the London and Vienna Symphony Orchestras, while as a composer, he created everything from symphonies and piano concertos to unique works like a collection of Aztec-language songs for tenor Plácido Domingo. His work seamlessly blended diverse traditions, showcasing his exceptional versatility and global reach.
Schifrin played a crucial role in shaping one of classical music’s most commercially successful events: the inaugural concert of the Three Tenors in 1990, held on the eve of the World Cup final in Rome. His musical arrangements contributed significantly to the emotional power and accessibility of the performance. The resulting album became the best-selling classical album of all time and marked the beginning of four collaborations with the famed tenor trio.
Despite his achievements in classical and orchestral music, Schifrin is perhaps most widely recognized for his work in film and television. He composed scores for Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry films and delivered music for productions featuring Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Steve McQueen. His most iconic contribution remains the Mission: Impossible theme—its propulsive rhythm and daring 5/4 time signature made it instantly unforgettable and placed him in the pantheon of great screen composers alongside Ennio Morricone and John Barry.
Lalo Schifrin Dies at 93, Leaving Behind a Genre-Defying Legacy Across Film and Classical MusicFrom Buenos Aires Roots to Iconic Themes that Shaped Film and Television Soundscapes
Schifrin’s music for Bullitt (1968) helped define Steve McQueen’s cool, combining jazz, suspenseful strings, and edgy brass to mirror the film’s high-octane atmosphere. The Mission: Impossible theme, originally written for the 1966 TV series, became a cultural touchstone. Its Morse code-inspired rhythm, Latin percussion, and blaring brass were later adapted for the blockbuster film series, furthering his legacy into the 21st century through reinterpretations by artists like U2 and composers such as Hans Zimmer.
Born in Buenos Aires to a Jewish father and Catholic mother, Schifrin was immersed in music early, studying piano under the tutelage of Enrique Barenboim and others. Though classically trained, his passion for jazz was ignited as a teenager, describing his first exposure to Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker as a “religious conversion.” This dual love for jazz and classical guided his eclectic future. He later studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where he absorbed European traditions by day and played jazz in clubs by night.
Hollywood Hits, Eastwood Bonds, and a Legacy of Genre-Defying Musical Innovation
Schifrin moved to the U.S. in the late 1950s at the invitation of Dizzy Gillespie and soon made his way to Hollywood. There, he scored Rhino! (1964) and a slew of influential films across genres: Cool Hand Luke, The Amityville Horror, Brubaker, and The Eagle Has Landed. He forged a lasting creative bond with Clint Eastwood, scoring many of the actor’s films, beginning with Coogan’s Bluff and including most of the Dirty Harry series. His compositions brought edge, elegance, and intensity to American cinema.
In his later years, Schifrin continued to innovate, notably through his Jazz Meets the Symphony series, blending orchestral arrangements with jazz standards and classical pieces. He scored the Rush Hour trilogy and composed music for films directed by his son.
His final major composition, Long Live Freedom, premiered in April 2025 at Teatro Colón in Argentina. Schifrin received five Grammys, six Oscar nominations, and an honorary Oscar in 2018. He is survived by his wife, Donna, three children, and a career that bridged cultures and genres like few others ever have.