COMPOSER MINI-BIOGRAPHY SERIES

No 1. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Charles Williams 

(8th May 1893 - 7th September 1978)

Charles Williams, Born Isaac Cozerbreit in 1893, was a British composer and conductor, contributing music to over 50 films. While his career ran from 1934 through 1968, much of his work came to the big screen as stock music, notably from the Chappell Recorded Music Library and was therefore uncredited.

Williams began his career as a freelance violinist in theatres, cinemas and symphony orchestras, and later studied composition with Norman O'Neill at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1933, he went to Gaumont British Films as a composer and stayed there until 1939. He composed for many British films and radio shows, and after the end of World War II, he became the conductor of the new Queen's Hall Light Orchestra. Later, he formed his own Concert Orchestra. He sadly passed away in Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex, aged 85.

He composed many orchestral pieces and marches for his ensembles, which were recorded in the 'Mood Music' category of light music, and during the 1950's became a familiar with his music being used in film and television signature themes.

Notable Releases:

'Blue Devils' is a popular march and Williams' first success as a composer. It was originally published as 'The Kensington March' and written for the opening of the Odeon in Kensington in 1926, where Williams conducted the cinema orchestra. When he left the cinema in 1928, the march was renamed 'Blue Devils' and first published under that name in 1929, dedicated to the Territorial Army regiment Kensington Rifles.

'Devil's Galop' was the theme tune to the radio serial Dick Barton.

'The Young Ballerina' accompanied The Potter's Wheel, probably the most famous of the BBC's 1950's interludes.

'The Old Clockmaker' was chosen as the radio theme to Jennings at School.

'Girls in Grey', Originally written for the Women's Junior Air Corp during World War II, later became known as the BBC Television Newsreel Theme.

'High Adventure', adapted slightly, is still used as the signature tune of BBC Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night.

'A Quiet Stroll' was used for the BBC Television's Farming programme at its launch in 1957, as well as a more recent programme Tracks.

'Rhythm on Rails' was often used in the BBC Morning Music programmes, but contrary to some reports, was not its signature tune.

Williams also composed the popular Piano Concerto Pastiche, The Dream of Olwen, for the film While I Live. His 'Majestic Fanfare' (1935) was used by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for many years as the signature tune for its radio and television news broadcasts. A version as re-orchestrated by Richard Mills in 1988 is still used for radio news broadcasts.

Charles Williams' IMDB page.