Carl Davis dead: World Cup theme composer dies aged 86

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Award-winning musician Carl Davis has died at the age of 86. The composer, famous for creating the 2006 World Cup theme, passed away following a brain haemorrhage on Thursday morning, his family confirmed.

Carl wrote music for more than 100 TV programmes in his long career, plus many silent films, and he composed the music for the BBC's hit adaption of Pride and prejudice starring Colin Firth.A statement from his family said: "We are heartbroken to announce that Carl Davis (CBE) passed away this morning, following a brain haemorrhage."The statement added: "We are so proud that Carl's legacy will be his astonishing impact on music.

A consummate all-round musician, he was the driving force behind the reinvention of the silent movie for this generation and he wrote scores for some of the most loved and remembered British television dramas."“He was a conductor and composer of symphonic works, as well as a notable writer for the ballet.

In 2005 he was awarded a CBE (Hon). A beloved father, grandfather and husband, Carl married the actress Jean Boht in 1970. They have two daughters, Hannah and Jessie and three grandchildren, Molly, Fred and Alice.“The family would like to send their grateful thanks to the paramedics who assisted Carl and the neurological ICU team at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.”Grammy award nominee Davis' other notable credits include music for BBC drama Upstairs, Downstairs in 2012, following his work on Cranford in 2007, as well as writing music for films including 1984 hit Champions starring Sir John Hurt, 1989’s Scandal with Sir Ian McKellen and Joanne Whalley, and most famously, The French Lieutenant’s Woman with Meryl Streep.His music has accompanied a host of British classics including 1971’s