Visiting Artist 2008
Carl Davis- C.B.E. (Hon.), Composer/Conductor
'The quintessential Renaissance man for the 21st century'
Carl Davis has been described as 'a consummate all-round musician', but this only partially defines the exceptional accomplishments of this extraordinary man. Not only is he in demand as a conductor for major orchestras worldwide, he is also one of todayŐs leading composers in practically every genre - orchestral and solo repertoire, ballet, opera, theatre, film, television and radio. His phenomenal creativity and recognition of artistic excellence has been instrumental in bringing about the universal renaissance of the great silent film era of the past century. For his prodigious contribution to film, television and theatre, Carl received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from BAFTA in 2003 - the first such award to a composer. He was subsequently honoured with the CBE (Hon.)
Carl was born in Brooklyn, New York and before graduating from college, he received instant acclaim, and the Off-Broadway-Obie Award, for Diversions, an original theatre composition which was invited to the Edinburgh Festival in 1961. The praise he received for his Edinburgh debut led to a commission to write the music for the television series, That Was the Week that Was. Since that time he and his wife, renowned theatre and television actress Jean Boht, have lived in London.
The vast library of Carl Davis compositions include numerous stage works for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and the London Contemporary Dance Theatre. Arguably he is most well-known for the vast number of television and film commissions, including The World At War, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Pride and Prejudice, The Far Pavilions, Cranford and Ken RussellŐs The Rainbow. His instrumental works include the Liverpool Oratorio, composed in collaboration with Paul McCartney, a number of concert suites derived from his original film and other scores, and more than sixty-five compositions for orchestra, large and small ensembles, solo instruments and chamber music.
During the coming season, SMS will be showing and Carl will be conducting music for two of his enormously popular short silent films, including Charlie ChaplinŐs The Immigrant and The Rink. He will also be supervising the production and performance of his timely opera for young people, Peace, and directing the faculty and students in a work during the final concert of the season.
