The Snowman : Work information

Composers
Howard Blake ( Music, Images,)
Performed by
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaughan Meakins (Conductor)

This work

Work name
The Snowman
Work number
n/a
Key
n/a
Genre
A
Composed
1982-00-00 02:00:00

This recording

Label
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Producer
Alan Peters
Engineer
Dick Lewzey
Recording date
n/a

The Composers

Howard Blake

Track listing

  • Walking in the Air 4:02 min

Notes

Howard Blake's most famous contribution to film and TV music is, undoubtedly, The Snowman. Written for narrator and orchestra in 1982, it was used in the classic short animated film of the same name. The film, lasting just 29 minutes and based on a story by Raymond Briggs, is a simple tale of a child and his snowman friend.

The popular song 'Walking in the Air' forms the central portion of the music as the boy and his snowman fly northwards to visit Santa Claus. However, the best music can be found in the two suites that lie either side of the song; the Dance of the Snowmen is particularly joyous. As the film had no dialogue, the effect of the music on the viewer was particularly strong, ensuring the score remains the best-known of Blake's music. It has since been adapted as a ballet and even a stage-show.