Biography

Richard graduated from St Martins School of Art in the early 80’s where he studied for a degree in Fine Art. His tutor, Malcolm Le Grice, was the grandfather of the British avant garde film movement and Richard’s innate passion for music soon took precedence over his visual work as he started writing scores and collaborating with students who were making films and art installation projects at St Martins, the Royal College of Art and the National Film School.

His career took off, and he became known as an exciting and innovative composer of distinctive scores for television documentaries and drama productions. He developed a love of writing and arranging music for strings and orchestra which, together with an unusual approach to using voices and an organic mixture of electronica, has since seen his work evolve into many different genres, from period scores to drum and bass, from theatre production to live events.

Recent years have established Richard’s reputation as one of our country’s foremost movie composers who has been nominated for a number of awards, winning the Ivor Novello Award for the film TRIAL BY FIRE, the Royal Television Society Award for the BBC period drama, THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL & Polish Academy Award for THE CALL OF THE TOAD.

Richard is currently scoring THE SEA WOLF, a movie based on the novel by Jack London set in San Francisco in early 1900, starring Sebastian Koch (The Lives of Others), Tim Roth and Neve Campbell.

He is also composing and producing an anniversary concert in September 2009 for Wells Cathedral Choir. The piece called "IX-09" will incorporate choral music from throughout the period 909 to 2009 - coming together in a synthesis of sound and light for the 21st Century. Tasmin Little will headline the event supported by an orchestra, ancillary acoustic musicians and electronica.

2006 saw the U.S. release of a Mike Barker directed feature, A GOOD WOMAN for which Richard created an eclectic score for this Oscar Wilde 1930's adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson, Helen Hunt and Tom Wilkinson. Following on from his film TO KILL A KING starring Tim Roth, Dougray Scott & Rupert Everett, Mike asked Richard on board once again to continue their successful working relationship which started in the 90's at the BBC with WILDFELL HALL. In between these features he wrote a more guitar based score for the Indie feature GRAND THEFT PARSONS, starring Johnny Knoxville which received rave reviews at the Sundance Festival.

The score for UK/Canadian movie ALMOST HEAVEN, the romantic comedy shot in Scotland starring Tom Conti, involved a collaboration with Phil Collins. Also Richard recently composed the music for THE CALL OF THE TOAD written by Günter Grass, which was directed by one of Poland's most celebrated directors Robert Glinskî, and TEMPESTA, directed by Tim Disney, stars Malcolm McDowell, Scot Williams,& Rutger Hauer - the thriller, takes its name from the painting by Giorgione, is shot in Venice & set in the world of art forgery.

Richard's other film scores include ACROSS THE LAKE for BBC Screen One, starring Anthony Hopkins as the legendary world record speed ace Donald Campbell and THE BRIDGE starring Saskia Reeves and Joss Ackland. His world music track on ESCAPE FROM TIBET reinforces the diversity of his work and helped the film pick up six international film festival awards. Earlier films include Renny Harlins' action blockbuster BORN AMERICAN, LA COUPE DE LA GLOIRE, a movie about the 1998 French World Cup and BASIL, a Hollywood period film based on the Wilkie Collins novel starring Christian Slater, Jared Leto, Derek Jacobi and Claire Forlani.

He was commissioned to compose a jazz suite for the highly acclaimed Francis Bacon Retrospective at the Tate Gallery and has also been involved in composition for the theatre including the score for Corin Redgrave's production of OUSAMA.