David Arnold: 10 facts about the great movie composer
One of Britain's greatest masters of film music, David Arnold is best known for scoring five James Bond movies, 'Independence Day' and the music for 'Sherlock' on television. Find out more here.
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1. A partnership born at college
David Arnold was born on 23 January 1962. While attending Sixth Form College in Luton, he became friends with aspiring director Danny Cannon and went on to write music for Cannon's short films.
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2. Breakthrough with Björk
Arnold and Danny Cannon made their major film debut with 'The Young Americans' starring Harvey Keitel. Arnold composed the music perched on the end of his bed. His song for the film, 'Play Dead', sung by Björk (pictured), reached No. 12 in the UK pop charts.
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3. To Hollywood...and Stargate
In 1994, Arnold scored the $55 million science-fiction epic, 'Stargate'. The composer was flown out to Los Angeles to meet director Roland Emmerich. Arnold described his score as 'Star Wars meets Lawrence of Arabia'. Emmerich asked Arnold to compose music for his next two movies, the $800 million grossing 'Independence Day' (1996) and 'Godzilla' (1998).
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4. Recommended by John Barry
A fan of James Bond - and John Barry's music for the series - from an early age, Arnold produced 'Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project', an album featuring new versions of the themes from various Bond films. Barry (pictured) was complimentary about Arnold's interpretation of his work and recommended that the producers hire Arnold to score, ''Tomorrow Never Dies'.
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5. Five James Bond adventures
After 'Tomorrow Never Dies' (1997), Arnold successfully scored the four subsequent James Bond ventures: 'The World Is Not Enough' (1999) and 'Die Another Day' (2002) - both starring Pierce Brosnan; and two Daniel Craig outings - 'Casino Royale' (2006) and 'Quantum of Solace' (2008).
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6. Scoring the Olympics
David Arnold worked with Danny Boyle as Musical Director for the London 2012 closing ceremony. Arnold wrote the score and marshalled more than 50 artists including The Who and the Spice Girls. The composer said at the time: 'If [Danny Boyle's] opening ceremony was the wedding, then we're the wedding reception.'
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7. Composer for television
Arnold has composed the music for several classic British television shows including the Reeves and Mortimer remake of 'Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)' and 'Little Britain.' He's scored the three series of 'Sherlock', starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
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8. Honorary degree
In 2012, David Arnold received an honorary degree from University of West London. Now a university honorary, he works closely with the University in particular its London College of Music.
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9. Top pop collaborations
Arnold has collaborated with a diverse range of musical acts including Kaiser Chiefs (pictured at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony), Massive Attack and Pulp. In 2009, Arnold produced Shirley Bassey's album 'The Performance'.
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10. Made in Dagenham - the musical
Arnold is working on a musical version of the 2010 film 'Made in Dagenham', with Richard Bean - who wrote 'One Man, Two Guvnors', and Richard Thomas of 'Jerry Springer: the Opera' fame.
