George Fenton
b. 1950
British
Summary
Biography
Best known for his work in film and television, George Fenton is one of the UK’s most successful composers, writing scores for over 100 films and collaborating with some of the most influential filmmakers. In 1990 he composed the score for the BBC Natural History series, Trials of Life, his first collaboration with Alastair Fothergill and the start of a creative relationship that has spanned over 20 years culminating in the Earth Trilogy: The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet. This trilogy has changed the face of natural history filmmaking bringing the wonders of the planet to mass audiences worldwide.
Fenton’s score matched the ambition of these series, masterfully using music to underscore the stories unfolding on screen. Following the success of The Blue Planet, for which he won Ivor Novello, BAFTA and Emmy awards for Best Television Score, Fenton created the show, The Blue Planet in Concert which has been performed by the world’s leading orchestras. Due to its international success, Fenton was then asked to create Planet Earth in Concert, which toured America in 2010, and the UK in September 2012. Frozen Planet in Concert completes the trilogy and premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in July 2012 to rave reviews and sell out audiences. The show is now on a worldwide tour having been to Osaka, Tokyo, Melbourne and most recently Amsterdam where it played to 20,000 people. Over the next year all three shows will perform in cities across Europe, America and Asia.
Alongside his work in natural history Fenton has continued to compose for theatre and film. Recent projects include the soundtrack for Stephen Frears’ latest film Muhammad Alis’ Greatest Fight, the music for Ken Loach’s new film The Spirit of ’45 and the hugely successful Untold Stories by Alan Bennett, which has recently moved to the West End.
Throughout his career Fenton’s work has been recognised with numerous awards, receiving 5 Oscar nominations, multiple Ivor Novello, BAFTA and Emmy awards; a Classical Brit; the Nina Rota award at Venice; a Lifetime Achievement award from the Royal Television Society and a Fellowship of The Royal College of Music and BASCA.
Fenton’s score matched the ambition of these series, masterfully using music to underscore the stories unfolding on screen. Following the success of The Blue Planet, for which he won Ivor Novello, BAFTA and Emmy awards for Best Television Score, Fenton created the show, The Blue Planet in Concert which has been performed by the world’s leading orchestras. Due to its international success, Fenton was then asked to create Planet Earth in Concert, which toured America in 2010, and the UK in September 2012. Frozen Planet in Concert completes the trilogy and premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in July 2012 to rave reviews and sell out audiences. The show is now on a worldwide tour having been to Osaka, Tokyo, Melbourne and most recently Amsterdam where it played to 20,000 people. Over the next year all three shows will perform in cities across Europe, America and Asia.
Alongside his work in natural history Fenton has continued to compose for theatre and film. Recent projects include the soundtrack for Stephen Frears’ latest film Muhammad Alis’ Greatest Fight, the music for Ken Loach’s new film The Spirit of ’45 and the hugely successful Untold Stories by Alan Bennett, which has recently moved to the West End.
Throughout his career Fenton’s work has been recognised with numerous awards, receiving 5 Oscar nominations, multiple Ivor Novello, BAFTA and Emmy awards; a Classical Brit; the Nina Rota award at Venice; a Lifetime Achievement award from the Royal Television Society and a Fellowship of The Royal College of Music and BASCA.
News
Performances
There are no upcoming performances