The Beatles legend Paul McCartney recently took to his Twitter account and posted an emotional Tweet about Bafta-winning composer and conductor Carl Davis who recently has died aged 86.
The acclaimed musician, whose work included the music for the BBC’s 1995 drama ‘Pride and Prejudice’, won a Bafta and an Ivor Novello award for his score to 1981 film ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’, and his passing was announced by his family. Carl Davis is survived by his actress wife Jean Boht, 91, as well as their two daughters and three grandchildren.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Carl lived in the UK since 1961. His other credits include music for BBC dramas ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ in 2010, and ‘Cranford’ in 2007, as well as film music. In the 1970s, Jeremy Isaacs commissioned Carl to write the award-winning score for ‘The World at War’ television series and he was later commissioned by the BBC to compose music for a host of classic serials.
He also collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney, 81, on ‘The Liverpool Oratorio’, an eight-movement work based on The Beatles icon’s life.
Paul McCartney pays tribute
Taking to his Twitter, McCartney wrote the following:
“I was very sad to hear that my friend Carl Davis had passed away. Carl and I wrote the ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ together. It was my first full-length classical venture and I really enjoyed working with him to make it happen. I would show up at his house and we would start writing. I would suggest an idea and he would write it down on the manuscript paper which made it easy for him to play the idea back to me and we progressed like that. He was a very skilful and fun man to be with. His enthusiasm was extremely infectious and we had a great time during the period that we worked together.
When we came to perform the piece at Liverpool Cathedral it was very exciting for me who had once failed an audition for the choir at the cathedral to be back there with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and tremendous soloists Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Willard White, Sally Burgess, Jerry Hadley, and a large choir for a very special evening.
I enjoyed my time with Carl very much and send my love and sympathies to his lovely wife, Jean, and their daughters Hannah and Jessie.
Love, Paul”
I was very sad to hear that my friend Carl Davis had passed away. Carl and I wrote the 'Liverpool Oratorio' together. It was my first full-length classical venture and I really enjoyed working with him to make it happen. I would show up at his house and we would start writing. I… pic.twitter.com/3jEoxowH4A
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 5, 2023
