Carl Davis
A native of New York, Carl Davis is in equal demand as conductor and composer for the stage, screen and concert hall. In the UK, Carl regularly conducts the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the Philharmonia, the Halle, the Northern Sinfonia and the CBSO. Since 2004 he has conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in the annual televised Proms in the Park concert, which in 2007 will feature Juan Diego Florez. Carl is Principal Guest Conductor of the Navarra Symphony Orchestra in Pamplona, and is a regular guest conductor with the Malaysian Philharmonic and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2007/8 season, plans also include appearances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
He has written extensively for radio, film and television including The World at War, the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and Goodnight Mr Tom. Numerous feature films include The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Scandal and Topsy Turvy. The Hollywood TV series introduced Carl to composing full length scores for archive films, starting with the incredible 5½ hour score for Abel Gance’s Napoleon shown in London in 1980. This led to a further 50 full-length restorations including Ben Hur, The Thief of Bagdad, The Wind and Phantom of the Opera (shown live at the Royal Opera House in October 2006). Carl has composed and recorded new music for all 12 of Chaplin’s Mutuals films which are now available on DVD and being performed live throughout the world. Carl will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing the complete Mutuals film cycle in London (Cadogan Hall) in August 2007.
As part of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Carl and Paul McCartney composed a full length work entitled Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio which has been performed all over the world. Carl has written 13 ballets including A Christmas Carol for the Northern Ballet Theatre, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Cyrano de Bergerac (choreography by David Bintley) for the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Alice in Wonderland for the English National Ballet.
The score for Napoleon resulted in the French Minister of Culture awarding Carl The Order of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. Other honours and awards include Honorary Doctor of Arts from Bard College, Honorary Doctor of Music (Liverpool), a BAFTA Special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and in 2005 Carl was awarded the CBE (Hon.) for his contribution to the world of Music. He is also an alumnus of The New England Conservatory and Bard College University.
Carl lives in London and is married to the actress Jean Boht. They have two daughters, Hannah and Jessie.
Promoters please note: if you wish to include this biography in a concert programme etc, please contact Hazard Chase to ensure that you receive the most up to date version.
Email: Jeremy Woods
