Masterpiece Theatre | Series

The Theme Music

Masterpiece Theatre Theme Music

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This now instantly recognizable music was originally written for the court of Louis XV, King of France. The blood-stirring piece by composer Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738), is the first movement of Mouret's "First Suite in D," from his second book of Fanfares for Trumpets, Kettledrums, Violins and Oboes (published in Paris, ca. 1729). (The movement is in rondeau form; it is also known as Mouret's "Rondeau" and as the "Theme from Masterpiece Theatre.")

In 1962 my future wife and I went to one of the Club Med villages in Italy. We were in these little straw huts and every morning we were summoned to breakfast by that theme. It was just magic ... I wanted to use it for Masterpiece Theatre but there was no way I could bear to put a French piece of music on something that was supposed to be English. I went through all kinds of English composers and nothing worked. So, it became the theme. The nice little twist on that is that about five years ago someone from the New York Times went to a Club Med in Mexico and commented on what a classy joint it was because they used the music of Masterpiece Theatre to summon people to meals...

Christopher Sarson, founding father of Masterpiece Theatre and its executive producer from 1970 to 1973.
From Masterpiece Theatre: A Celebration of 25 Years
(Courtesy Bay Books, San Francisco, 1999).

American Collection Theme Music

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The original theme for Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection was created by John Williams -- Academy Award-winning composer of film scores and laureate conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma is featured. Recorded in Boston on June 3, 2000, the music was post-produced and mixed in Los Angeles. The theme will accompany the series open and closing credits for each of the nine films included in the American Collection series, premiering on PBS on Wednesday, October 25, 2000.