I first fell in love with the main theme from 'Poirot' at the age of 10 or so. I did not know a lot of things about the world back then but I immediately recognized such a great music, I recorded the opening credits on a VHS cassette and played it over and over. Those were the days!
Over the years I purchased several other scores by Gunning, always very enjoyable. But the one that probably stands out most for me is 'The Big Battalions', which is absolutely breathtaking music, amazing from the beginning to the end. I just happened to play it very recently ... and will probably again now upon learning the news of Christopher Gunning's passing.
A 17 minute suite of one of Gunnings most beautiful scores. Firelight is a score for the 1998 film starring Sophie Marceau.directed by William Nicholson. Film is available on streaming platforms but the CD is pretty rare.
Very very sad to hear this. Lovely man, met him at David Arnold's Concert For Care many years ago.
What a day that was, Peter!
That was also the first time I got to meet him (more specifically it was at the charity performance of Psycho at the Empire cinema which David Arnold had organized the day before the concert). That was really a terrific event.
I met him again at an event James Fitzpatrick organized at the Angel Studios in London. I remember Christopher complaining about the lack of education most contemporary film composers have citing an example of when a fellow composer asked him whether an instrument could do a certain thing which was impossible. Daniel Pemberton who was sitting next to him turned round and said "I just knew that you would bring that up" which resulted in a big mischievous smile from Christopher Gunning. Pemberton added something along the line "That's Christopher for you" but you could clearly see that this was just some friendly ribbing.
I celebrated his life by listening to Poirot, Pollyanna, Rebecca and of course the fantastic Firelight, one of the most beautiful scores ever written. RIP, Maestro.
Another computer entry on my collection sadly updated... from "GUNNING, Christopher (1944-present)", to "GUNNING, Christopher (1944-2023)". Only a couple of weeks after I similarly updated my Gerald Fried entry. Played the Gamba / Chandos / Gunning disc again today, and enjoyed it more than ever. Consistently fine from beginning to end. I'm now thinking this is the best disc of all in Gamba's series. Highest possible recommendation.
