Carl Davis: Maestro

by Wendy Thompson, Carl Davis

How do you bring a forgotten silent film back to life? What are the techniques behind writing a successful film score? How do you work with and inspire choreographers? Carl Davis's fascinating story gives an insight into the prolific composing and conducting career of one of the world's most celebrated film and television composers. Born in New York, Carl Davis spent his early years of his career in American before going on to study in Copenhagen. From there he moved to Britain and entered the worlds of classical music, theatre, film and television. He has since composed almost 400 film and TV scores, winning several BAFTAs and Ivor Novello awards, as well as establishing himself as the number one choice to score silent films.Some of his most recognisable work includes the soundtracks for The French Lieutenant's Woman (BAFTA/Ivor Novello Winner), Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV Series), Scandal (1989) and Cranford. Written by Wendy Thompson, Carl Maestro is a glimpse into the life of a consummate all-round musician and his impact on many spheres of music-making. This is the full eBook version of the original hardback edition

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2016

About the author

Wendy Thompson studied piano and violin at the Royal College of Music, London, and then musicology and French Baroque opera at King's College, London. She subsequently moved to publishing, working on the New Groove Dictionary of Music and the New Oxford Companion to Music, and was Editorial Director of Faber Music Limited from 1986-91. In between she spent six years working for the BBC's Music Information Department, and continued a parallel career as a freelance violinist.

In 1993 Wendy Thompson founded Classic Arts Productions Limited, an independent radio production company that provides distinguished music programmes for BBC Radio 3, including the award-winning weekly series Private Passions, the music quiz Full Score, and the series on 20th-century British music and poetry A Land Without Music?. Classic Arts has also recorded many live concerts and concert series.

Wendy Thompson has published several books, including Piano Competition: The Story of the Leeds, Mozart: A Bicentennial Tribute, titles on Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy and Tchaikovsky in the Composer's World series, and biographies of Handel and Grieg. She provides programme notes on a regular basis for the BBC and the Philharmonia Orchestra, among others.