There are so many different elements necessary to make a great film. Every film needs actors who play the characters, scriptwriters who tell the story and music composers who tug at the heartstrings through the use of expertly composed scores.

The film world lost a strong note on Monday. Oscar-winning composer James Horner died in a plane crash at 61-years-old. While Horner was taken from this world far too soon, his work will live on through his music.

Throughout his long career, Horner composed more than 150 film scores, which happen to be some of the best of all time.

Horner won an Oscar for original dramatic score for his work on the 1997 best picture winner “Titanic.” The film became a classic partly because of Horner’s magic touch. Between the acting, the costumes and cinematography, “Titanic” captured the hearts of audiences everywhere. But it was the music that truly made “Titanic” one of the most memorable films of our time. Horner also won an Academy Award for composing the film’s original song “My Heart Will Go On” performed by Celine Dion.

Horner’s somber, yet powerful score in “Titanic” set the tone for the entire movie.

Horner lent his musical ear to numerous other films, including “Aliens,” “Avatar,” and “Braveheart,” all of which he received Oscar nominations for best original score.

There’s no doubt the film world lost a truly precious gem.

I must’ve been about 10-years-old when I first saw “Titanic.” At a young age, I was exposed to some of the greatest film scores ever written. My parents introduced me to a plethora of films from the 1930’s to present-day.

But I have to say nothing has beat “Titanic” yet. The film’s music is truly original and captures the very essence of the film.

Horner will be missed.