In 1993 the film director, Richard Kwietniowski, commisioned two pieces to be written in the style of the brilliant Delicatessen soundtrack by Carlos d'Alessio. No mean feat: the French film had hooked almost every Art-house cinema-goer in the early 90s and the soundtrack was exceptional. My modest compositions appeared on Actions Speak Louder Than Words - one of the offerings on Channel 4's 'Out' series that year, however the pieces would not have had that certain 'Je ne sais quoi' had it not been for my musical stalwarts Romano Viazzani on accordion, Sue Jenkins on violin, and Simon Zagorski-Thomas of The Premises Recording Studio once again at the helm.

Actions Speak Louder than Words

One of several BBC Worldwide commissions for Idents and title stings created in the late 90's/early '00s

BBC Worldwide title

BBC Worldwide 'Select'

One of several BBC Worldwide commissions for Idents and title stings created in the late 90's/early '00s.
This was created for their various food/cooking programmes, and features the use of various kitchen utensils etc. in place of conventional percussion: knives, chopping boards, scissors etc.

BBC Worldwide 'Food'

An early '90s BBC2 title commission for a short series on Soweto. The music features the talents of Shikisha, four African women who recorded and performed with a number of respected artists. Without them I would have no track!

BBC2

BBC2: Heart of Soweto  1991

One of my last commissions from film maker Pratibha Parmar, and from 1999/2000? Th working title was 'Vanishing' and it was - I thought  for HBO in USA, but can find no reference to it. (Oh well, I got paid)!

Pratibha Parma Films

HBO/Pratibha Parmar: Vanishing POP longform

One of my last commissions from film maker Pratibha Parmar, and from 1999/2000? The working title was 'Points of Re-entry' and it was - I thought for HBO in USA, but can find no reference to it. (Oh well, I got paid)!

Pratibha Parmar

HBO/Pratibha Parmar: Points of Re-entry (Bulgarian)

One of my last commissions from film maker Pratibha Parmar, and from 1999/2000? The working title was 'Points of Re-entry' and it featured field recordings of Masai tribes singing.

HBO/Pratibha Parmar: Points of Re-entry (Masai)

One of several personal pieces for the piano that celebrate life changing moments: 'Pleasure Pod' is about the birth of our son - a Sycamore seed tumbling to earth, caressed by the breeze.

Pleasure Pod (private piano pieces)

One of several personal pieces for the piano that celebrate life changing moments or memories: 'Fishing by Electric Light ' is about my fascination as a child with a delicate Chinese lamp in the hall of my grandmother's apartment.

Fishing by Electric Light (private Piano pieces)

One of several personal pieces for the piano that celebrate life changing moments: 'The Thirty Second Step' was written and performed for our wedding at Finchcocks - the early keyboard museum in Kent, performed by the assistant curator in the summer of 1998. A descending staircase of 31 steps led my new bride down to the ground floor and the awaiting registrar and guests - not to mention the nervous groom! the Thirty Second Step was into marriage.

The Thirty Second Step (private piano pieces)

An instrumental composition taken from the 1998 BBC Film 'Peggy Su!' featuring brass, woodwind, accordion, vibes, semi acoustic guitar, and drums.

Peggy Su! BBC Films 1997

The Telephone Call, BBC Film Peggy Su!

An instrumental composition taken from the 1998 BBC Film 'Peggy Su!' featuring brass, woodwind, vibes, semi acoustic guitar, and drums.

Gilbert-Style

An instrumental composition taken from the 1998 BBC Film 'Peggy Su!' featuring brass, accordion, string section, woodwind, vibes, semi acoustic guitar, piano, and drums.

peterjamesspencer

Popular tracks