American composer and conductor Carl Davis has passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy. Best known for his work on the score of the influential documentary series The World at War, Davis was a prominent figure in the British television and movie industry.
Davis, born in Brooklyn in 1936, began his career in New York and rose to prominence with the 1959 revue Diversions. He later settled in Britain and became a central figure in the country’s theater, television, and movie scene. Davis composed for the National Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company, and his work on British television includes the score for the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice.
However, Davis’s most notable television work was The World at War, which aired on ITV in 1973. Narrated by Laurence Olivier, the documentary series spanned 26 episodes and covered the events of World War II. Davis’s foreboding theme music set the tone for the impactful and factual storytelling of the series.
In addition to his television work, Davis achieved success in the film industry with the score for 1981’s The French Lieutenant’s Woman, which starred Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons and earned him a BAFTA award. His other notable film credits include Champions in 1984 and Scandal in 1989.
Furthermore, Davis made significant contributions to the revival of silent films by writing and reconstructing scores for over 50 silent movies, starring legendary actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. His compositions for symphonic concert works and ballet scores have been performed and celebrated around the world.
Davis’s impact on music was recognized when he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout his career, Davis collaborated with Faber Music, and the company’s CEO, Richard King, praised Davis as a compositional giant and expressed condolences to his family.
Survived by his wife Jean Boht, two daughters, and three grandchildren, Davis leaves behind an astonishing musical legacy that will continue to inspire and captivate audiences. He will be remembered for his immense contributions to British television, film, and the art of silent movies.
