Christopher Gunning
Christopher Gunning | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Cheltenham, England | 5 August 1944
Died | 25 March 2023 Hertfordshire, England | (aged 78)
Genres |
|
Occupation(s) | Composer |
Spouse(s) |
|
Christopher Gunning (5 August 1944 – 25 March 2023) was an English composer of concert works and music for films and television.
Early life
Gunning was born in Cheltenham on 5 August 1944, the younger of two sons. He grew up in Hendon. His father was a pianist and educator from South Africa, and his mother had been one of his father's pupils.[1] He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where his tutors included Edmund Rubbra and Richard Rodney Bennett.[2]
Career
Film and television
Gunning's film and television compositions received many awards, including the 2007
In the 1970s and 1980s, Gunning collaborated with rock musician
Gunning composed the music for nearly all of the Poirot TV films starring
Concert music
In addition to performances of his television and film scores, Gunning's Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra and The Lobster have been performed at various venues including
Gunning completed thirteen symphonies between 2001 and 2020,[1] several of which have been recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer and released on Signum Classics.[8] A commemorative concert is to be held at Cadogan Hall in London on 10 March 2024, with a live performance of his Symphony No 10 (2016) by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as contributions from guitarist John Williams, saxophonist John Harle and singer songwriter Colin Blunstone.[10]
Awards
In recognition of Gunning's contribution to music, he received a
Personal life
In 1974, Gunning married Annie Farrow; they had four daughters and divorced in 1999.[1] He remarried in 2004, to Svitlana Saienko. He died from kidney cancer at his home in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire on 25 March 2023, at the age of 78.[1][12]
References
- ^ a b c d Rickards, Guy (11 April 2023). "Christopher Gunning obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Gunning: Symphonies Nos 3 and 4/ Oboe Concerto CD Notes". Chandos.net. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "Lynsey De Paul – Won't Somebody Dance With Me". Discogs. 1973. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Lynsey de Paul – Taste Me... Don't Waste Me". Discogs. 28 November 1974. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Christopher Gunning 1944–2023". Transdiffusion. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ Black Magic Chocolates TV commercial, 1984
- ^ The Theme from 'The Long March' Winalot Dog Food Advert, YouTube
- ^ a b Richard Bratby. 'The composer of dog-food ads who also wrote one of the most original cycles of British symphonies', in The Spectator, 2 March, 2024
- ^ "Christopher Gunning". Christopher Gunning. 22 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ Christopher Gunning Remembered, Cadogan Hall
- ^ "Gold Badge Awards in pictures – M Magazine". M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine. 26 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Announcement: Christopher Gunning". Christopher Gunning. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023.
...we announce the death of Christopher Gunning, who passed away on the 25th of March 2023 at the age of 78 after a long and courageous battle with kidney cancer. He died peacefully in his bed at his Hertfordshire house...
External links
- Christopher Gunning at IMDb
- Chandos Records
- Christopher Gunning discography at Discogs