Carl Davis, composer and conductor born in America but who lived in the U.K. since 1961, has passed away at 86 in Oxford. Davis is a BAFTA-winner and has composed music for over 100 shows, created scores for silent movies, and made numerous ballet and concert works. Davis was most known for his work on Pride & Prejudice (1995 BBC TV series). The series starred Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Additionally, he was known for the movies Lieutenant’s Woman (winning him a BAFTA) and Florence Foster Jenkins, which both starred Meryl Streep.
Davis supplied the music to The World at War (1973), UK history documentary for Thames Television. For the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Davis conducted BBC’s theme song. In the 1970s, Davis created a restored version of Napoleon (Abel Gance’s silent film). His reputation by the 90s earned him the number-one choice for scores in silent films. He provided scores for Ben-Hur, City Lights (Charlie Chaplin), and The Phantom Of The Opera. His family told Faber Music,
We are heartbroken to announce that Carl Davis CBE passed away this morning, following a brain hemorrhage. We are so proud that Carl’s legacy will be his astonishing impact on music. A consummate all-round musician, he was the driving force behind the reinvention of the silent movie for this generation, and he wrote scores for some of the most loved and remembered British television dramas. He was a conductor and composer of symphonic works, as well as a notable writer for the ballet.
Faber Music’s CEO Richard King said in response that it has been an honor working with Davis for over half of the company’s existence, and their thoughts are with his family.
Davis leaves behind his wife, actress Jean Boht, and their two daughters and three grandchildren.
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