Paul Englishby
Encyclopedia
Paul Englishby is a Film and Theatre Composer
, Orchestrator, Conductor
and Pianist
. He is versatile across many genres, from big orchestral works to 1930s jazz-influenced scores. Englishby has composed the music for 4 feature films and 7 theatre productions in the past 2 years.
, where he received the Charles Lucas prize for composition and the Arthur Hervey Scholarship, as well as receiving a BBC Sound on Film Commission.
"The Last Clarinet" for orchestra and narrator was Englishby's first published work, and continues to be performed internationally. His other works include "Short Symphony" (1997), "String Quartet" (1995) and "Blackpool Lights for Orchestra" (1993). Aside from these Englishby composed pieces for his own group, The Paul Englishby Big Band, which recently performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
in January 2010.
Englishby recently completed the score for the film version of "Hamlet", starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. He also composed the original score for forthcoming ITV Drama "An Englishman in New York
", the sequel to "The Naked Civil Servant
". Both were aired on Christmas Day 2009.
", directed by Bharat Nalluri. He most recently wrote the score for "An Education
", which debuted at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and for the Peep Show produced feature "Magicians" in 2007.
Englishby has collaborated with world class film directors in recent years, including Debbie Isitt on critically acclaimed Brit-flick "Confetti", and on the film "Ten Minutes Older" featuring works from directors Spike Lee, Werner Herzog, Bernardo Bertolucci, Mike Figgis and Jean Luc-Goddard.
As well as commissions for Film and TV, he has composed classical works for various ensembles. His credits include "The Last Clarinet" for solo clarinet, orchestra and narrator in 1995, "Byron" for large orchestra and "Weep No More" for string orchestra.
Englishby also recently completed a large public arts commission entitled "Fireworks”, several pieces for Choir, Orchestra, Chamber Group and school children, in commemoration of the Combe Down Stone Mines Project in Bath.
, including "Twelfth Night" (starring Richard Wilson), "Hamlet" (starring David Tennant), "Merry Wives" for the Complete Works Festival, "Love's Labour Lost" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". He also composed the score for a dance work in "The Thief of Baghdad" at the Royal Opera House
in December 2008, directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett, which received great reviews for its Middle Eastern sonorities and neo-orientalist score.
As well as for film, Englishby has been the Musical Director for many stage productions including "The Villains Opera" by Nick Dear and Stephen Warbeck at the Royal National Theatre, and "Come Dancing" by Ray Davies.
to name a few. He has conducted on studio sessions and film scores both in the UK and abroad, as well as on recordings and broadcasts for Radio and Television. Recent credits include Richard Eyre’s "The Other Man" and Michael Radford's "Flawless" in 2008.
He is currently working on the Universal movie "Your Highness
", starring Natalie Portman
and James Franco
, which is due for release this year.
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Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, Orchestrator, Conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and Pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. He is versatile across many genres, from big orchestral works to 1930s jazz-influenced scores. Englishby has composed the music for 4 feature films and 7 theatre productions in the past 2 years.
Short Biography
Englishby was born in Preston, Lancs in 1970. He was musically active by his teenage years, performing as a pianist in big bands and jazz ensembles as well as writing and composing his own works. He studied at Goldsmiths' College and at the Royal Academy of MusicRoyal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, where he received the Charles Lucas prize for composition and the Arthur Hervey Scholarship, as well as receiving a BBC Sound on Film Commission.
"The Last Clarinet" for orchestra and narrator was Englishby's first published work, and continues to be performed internationally. His other works include "Short Symphony" (1997), "String Quartet" (1995) and "Blackpool Lights for Orchestra" (1993). Aside from these Englishby composed pieces for his own group, The Paul Englishby Big Band, which recently performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club which has operated in London since 1959.The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was managed by musicians Ronnie Scott and Pete King. In 1965 it moved to a larger venue nearby at 47 Frith Street...
in January 2010.
Englishby recently completed the score for the film version of "Hamlet", starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. He also composed the original score for forthcoming ITV Drama "An Englishman in New York
An Englishman in New York (film)
An Englishman in New York is a 2009 biographical drama film that chronicles the English gay writer Quentin Crisp's later years spent in New York City. It is a follow-up to the 1975 TV movie The Naked Civil Servant with John Hurt reprising his role as Crisp...
", the sequel to "The Naked Civil Servant
The Naked Civil Servant (film)
The Naked Civil Servant is a 1975 TV film based on the 1968 autobiography by the gay icon Quentin Crisp, also titled The Naked Civil Servant. It stars John Hurt in the title role....
". Both were aired on Christmas Day 2009.
Scores and Compositions
In recent years, Englishby has written the original scores for a number of films. He won the ASCAP Award in 2009 for his film score to "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a DayMiss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a 2008 British/American romantic comedy film directed by Bharat Nalluri. The screenplay by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy is based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Winifred Watson.-Plot:...
", directed by Bharat Nalluri. He most recently wrote the score for "An Education
An Education
An Education is a 2009 British coming-of-age drama film, based on an autobiographical article in Granta by British journalist Lynn Barber. The film was directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby, and stars Carey Mulligan as Jenny, a bright schoolgirl, and Peter Sarsgaard as David,...
", which debuted at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and for the Peep Show produced feature "Magicians" in 2007.
Englishby has collaborated with world class film directors in recent years, including Debbie Isitt on critically acclaimed Brit-flick "Confetti", and on the film "Ten Minutes Older" featuring works from directors Spike Lee, Werner Herzog, Bernardo Bertolucci, Mike Figgis and Jean Luc-Goddard.
As well as commissions for Film and TV, he has composed classical works for various ensembles. His credits include "The Last Clarinet" for solo clarinet, orchestra and narrator in 1995, "Byron" for large orchestra and "Weep No More" for string orchestra.
Englishby also recently completed a large public arts commission entitled "Fireworks”, several pieces for Choir, Orchestra, Chamber Group and school children, in commemoration of the Combe Down Stone Mines Project in Bath.
Theatre/Dance
Englishby has worked on many productions for the Royal Shakespeare CompanyRoyal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
, including "Twelfth Night" (starring Richard Wilson), "Hamlet" (starring David Tennant), "Merry Wives" for the Complete Works Festival, "Love's Labour Lost" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". He also composed the score for a dance work in "The Thief of Baghdad" at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
in December 2008, directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett, which received great reviews for its Middle Eastern sonorities and neo-orientalist score.
As well as for film, Englishby has been the Musical Director for many stage productions including "The Villains Opera" by Nick Dear and Stephen Warbeck at the Royal National Theatre, and "Come Dancing" by Ray Davies.
Musical Credits
As orchestrator, conductor and pianist, Englishby has worked with The London Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, London Musici, Tallis Chamber Choir, Fibonacci Sequence and BBC Concert OrchestraBBC Concert Orchestra
The BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
to name a few. He has conducted on studio sessions and film scores both in the UK and abroad, as well as on recordings and broadcasts for Radio and Television. Recent credits include Richard Eyre’s "The Other Man" and Michael Radford's "Flawless" in 2008.
He is currently working on the Universal movie "Your Highness
Your Highness
Your Highness is a 2011 fantasy comedy film directed by David Gordon Green, written by Danny McBride and Ben Best, and starring McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, and Zooey Deschanel. Filming began in the summer of 2009 in Northern Ireland and concluded in October 2009...
", starring Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
and James Franco
James Franco
James Edward Franco is an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author, painter, performance artist and instructor at New York University. He left college in order to pursue acting and started off his career by making guest appearances on television series in the 1990s...
, which is due for release this year.
Scores
2009- Hamlet (TV)
- An Englishman In New York (TV)
- An Education
2008
- Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day
2007
- Magicians
- Behind the Tricks: Making "Magicians" (TV)
2006
- Death of the Revolution
- Confetti
2002
- Ten Minutes Older: The Cello
- Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet
- The History of Football: The Beautiful Game
Orchestrator
2010- Your Highness
2008
- Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day
- The Other Man
2007
- Becoming Jane
2004
- Deux Frères (aka Two Brothers)
- Love's Brother
Musical Director/Conductor
2010- The Wolfman
2009
- Skellig
- Zomerhitte (aka Summer Heat)
2008
- Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day
- The Secret of Moonacre
- French Film
2007
- Becoming Jane
- Freakdog
- Flawless
- Miguel y William
2006
- Alpha Male
2005
- Proof
- Animal
2004
- Love's Brother
- If Only
2001
- Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Other Musical Credits
2006- Niagara Motel (Arranger)
2002
- About A Boy (On-set music advisor)
- Hart’s War (Arranger – "Der Fuehrer’s Face")
2001
- Birthday Girl (Arranger – "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World")
Theatre Credits
2008- The Thief of Baghdad – Royal Opera House
- Hamlet – RSC
- Love’s Labours Lost – RSC
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream – RSC
- Wuthering Heights – Birmingham Repertory
- Marianne Dreams – Almeida
- The Merchant Of Venice – RSC
- The Taming of the Shrew – RSC
2007
- Coriolanus – RSC
- Merry Wives The Musical – RSC
- Much Ado About Nothing – RSC
- The Giant - Hampstead
2006
- Twelfth Night – RSC
- Sejanus – RSC
- Sugar Mummies – Royal Court Theatre
- Yellowman – Liverpool Everyman
- Fabulation – Tricyle Theatre
2005
- Longitude – Greenwich Theatre
2004
- All's Well That Ends Well – RSC
- Anna In The Tropics - Hampstead
2003
- Blood – Royal Court Theatre
2002
- Romeo and Juliet – Festival Theatre, Chichester
- Bedroom Farce – West End
2001
- Three Sisters – Festival Theatre, Chichester