Cavatina (Deer Hunter)

Cavatina (Deer Hunter)

Composer: Stanley Myers (1930 - 1993)
Arr. John Williams (1941 - )

The Italian musical term cavatina is frequently applied to any simple, melodious air. Selected as one of RCM (The Royal Conservatory of Music) level 8 repertoire, this piece is a 1970 classical guitar piece by British composer Stanley Myers based on music originally written for the soundtrack of the film The Walking Stick (1970). After Myers expanded the piece and it was recorded by guitarist John Williams, "Cavatina" was popularized as the theme from the 1978 film The Deer Hunter. The Italian musical term cavatina is frequently applied to any simple, melodious air.

Stanley Myers (6 October 1930 – 9 November 1993) was an English composer and conductor, who scored over sixty films and television series, working closely with filmmakers Nicolas Roeg, Jerzy Skolimowski and Volker Schlöndorff. He is best known for his guitar piece "Cavatina", composed for the 1970 film The Walking Stick and later used as the theme for The Deer Hunter. He was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music for Wish You Were Here (1987), and was an early collaborator with and mentor of Hans Zimmer.

 

"Cavatina" by Stanley Myers is a classical guitar piece selected for RCM Level 8 repertoire. Originally composed for the film "The Walking Stick" in 1970, it gained widespread recognition when guitarist John Williams recorded an expanded version. At first I thought this was a part of the OST for the movie Deerhunter.