The five-note theme for the television series Mission: Impossible, written in an uncommon 5/4 time signature, served as a signature of Lalo Schifrin’s approach to composing. His ability to synthesize complex jazz arrangements with orchestral film scores defined his career, bridging the gap between Latin American rhythmic traditions and the demands of Hollywood studio productions.
Early Development and European Training
Born in Buenos Aires in 1932, Boris Claudio Schifrin was introduced to music by his father, Luis Schifrin, who led the violin section of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic. Following early piano studies with Enrique Barenboim and Andrea Karalin, he studied harmony under Juan Carlos Paz. In 1952, he moved to Paris to attend the Conservatoire de Paris, studying under Olivier Messiaen and Charles Koechlin. During this period, he immersed himself in the local jazz scene while also exploring African drumming techniques.
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After returning to Argentina and forming a 16-piece jazz big band for television, Schifrin met Dizzy Gillespie in 1956. This encounter led to the composition of Gillespiana, an extended work for big band. By 1960, Schifrin moved to New York City to join Gillespie’s quintet as a pianist and arranger. He continued to expand his scope as a composer, recording collaborative albums such as 1963’s Buenos Aires Blues with saxophonist Johnny Hodges.
Hollywood Film Scoring
Schifrin moved to Los Angeles in 1963 after accepting a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His film work became prolific, spanning genres from the action-oriented Enter the Dragon to the Dirty Harry series, which featured a long-standing creative association with Clint Eastwood. While his soundtrack for The Exorcist proved personally difficult due to rejected material, he found continued success in television, composing themes for T.H.E. Cat, Mannix, and the Paramount Pictures fanfare used from 1976 until 2004.
Later Career and Recognition
In his later years, Schifrin expanded his repertoire to include arrangements for The Three Tenors, beginning with their 1990 concert in Rome. He remained active in film, scoring the Rush Hour trilogy between 1998 and 2007. His contributions to the industry were recognized with a Latin Grammy Trustees Award in 2017 and an Academy Honorary Award in 2019. Schifrin died in Los Angeles in 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1932, Buenos Aires
- Died: 2025, Los Angeles
- Education: National School of Buenos Aires
- Citizenship: United States; Argentina
- Academy Honorary Award: 2019
- Latin Grammy Trustees Award: 2017
- Known for: Mission: Impossible theme
- Occupations: Composer, conductor, pianist
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of the Mission: Impossible theme?
Schifrin composed the piece in 5/4 time, using Morse code for the letters M and I to dictate the rhythm.
Did Schifrin win any Academy Awards?
He was nominated for six Academy Awards and received an Honorary Academy Award in 2019.
Achievements
- Grammy Awards
- Academy Honorary Award — 2019
- Latin Grammy Trustees Award — 2017
- Instruments: piano and keyboard instrument
- Genres: jazz, bossa nova and bebop
