The sound of silents is dead.
In addition to providing original music for countless silent classics, which he often conducted live with screenings of the films, and frequently recorded, Carl Davis wrote music for the television series “The World at War,” “Pride and Prejudice” (with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth), and countless others.
Among his scores for contemporary film were those for “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (with Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons), which was honored with a BAFTA for Best Film Music, Ken Russell’s adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s “The Rainbow,” and Roger Corman’s “Frankenstein Unbound.” Surely, his most ambitious undertaking on behalf of the silents was his work on a restoration of Abel Gance’s epic “Napoleon,” for which he composed and arranged nearly five hours of music.
He assisted Paul McCartney in the composition of the “Liverpool Oratorio.” He also wrote orchestral concert works and music for the ballet.
Though he made Britain his home since 1961, Davis was actually born in Brooklyn. He attended Bard College, where he studied composition with Paul Nordoff. He also studied with Hugo Kauder and later with Per Nørgard. Early on, he obtained valuable conducting experience with organizations such as the New York City Opera and the Robert Shaw Chorale. In 1959, his revue “Diversions” won an off-Broadway award.
He traveled to the Edinburgh Festival in 1961. His success there led to an invitation to compose music for the BBC satirical series “That Was the Week That Was.” Other TV and radio commissions followed, and Davis made a healthy living for himself in the U.K. He enjoyed a close relationship with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
At the time of his death, he was 86 years old.
By coincidence, Carl Davis will conduct music by Charlie Chaplin for “Modern Times” on my syndicated film music show, “Picture Perfect,” tomorrow on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon. Stream it on the East Coast this Friday at 8:00 PM EDT (5:00 PDT).
R.I.P. Carl Davis.
“The World at War”
“Pride and Prejudice” (with Melvyn Tan on the fortepiano)
On composing the score to “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”
“Napoleon”
Collaborating with Paul McCartney on “Liverpool Oratorio”
“Liverpool Oratorio” (complete)
An interview with Carl Davis
Leave a Reply