Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897–1957) was an Austrian-American composer who was recognized at a young age as an exceptional musical talent. As the son of the influential music critic Julius Korngold, he grew up in the rich cultural climate of Vienna around 1900. By the age of thirteen, he had already gained international attention with works such as Der Schneemann and his Piano Trio, which earned admiration from great figures like Mahler and Strauss. Korngold developed a distinctive late-Romantic style, characterized by lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and a strong sense of lyricism.

In the 1930s he was discovered by Hollywood and became one of the most innovative film composers of his time. His music for adventure films such as The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood set a new standard and contributed significantly to the development of symphonic film music. Korngold did not see his film work as separate from his classical oeuvre; he adhered to the same artistic values and refinement. Undeniably, Korngold has been a major source of inspiration for later giants in the film music industry, including John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

The music for The Sea Hawk (1940) is certainly among Korngold’s most impressive and influential film scores. In this work he demonstrates how masterfully he applies the symphonic idiom within the film medium. The music is rich and lavishly orchestrated, with powerful brass and energetic rhythms. Wil van der Beek arranged a spectacular, short, and impressive opening fanfare from this work.
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