Titanic's James Cameron and Celine Dion reflect on James Horner's death

The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who worked with Horner on Avatar, as well as earlier movies Aliens and Titanic, called the conductor and musician “a good friend” and “brother”.

In a joint statement with producer Jon Landau, Cameron wrote: “The Avatar community has lost one of our great creative lights with the passing of James Horner. James’ music was the air under the banshees’ wings, the ancient song of the forest, and the heartbeat of Eywa.

“We have lost not only a great teammate and collaborator, but a good friend. James’ music affected the heart because his heart was so big, it infused every cue with deep emotional resonance, whether soaring in majesty through the floating mountains, or crying for the loss of nature’s innocence under bulldozer treads.”

The pair added: “The beauty and power of Avatar lay not just in the superb performances and the visual splendour, but in the music that made us cry and exult along with our characters. Irayo, James. Fly brother.”

Celine Dion, who sang Titanic theme tune My Heart Will Go On – written by Horner and Will Jennings, said she is “shaken” by his death.

“Rene (Angelil, my husband) and I are shaken by the tragic death of James Horner, whom we considered a friend,” she wrote on her website Celinedion.com.

“We will always remember his kindness and great talent that changed my career. We send our prayers and deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Two-time Oscar winner Horner died in a plane crash when his single-engine aircraft crashed and burned in a remote forest area in southern California.

His agent Michael Gorfaine said he was driving the plane, although it will take the Ventura County coroner days to confirm Horner’s death.

Many of his celebrity friends, including Ron Howard and Russell Crowe, have paid tribute to Horner, who also composed the soaring soundtracks to The Land Before Time, Braveheart, An American Tail and Apollo 13.