Biography

George Fenton is an award-winning British composer best known for his work writing film scores and music for television such as for the BBC series The Blue Planet and Planet Earth.

Fenton was born in London and attended St. Edward's School in Oxford, where he now serves as Governor. Initially, Fenton worked as an actor, getting an early break with a part in Alan Bennett's play Forty Years On. His early success was followed by parts in the film Private Road and in Bennett's first television play A Day Out, directed by Stephen Frears. Often asked to play a musical instrument in productions, Fenton decided to make an early career switch to composition. In 1974, he got his first major commission as composer and musical director for Peter Gill's theatre production of Twelfth Night by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Most Notable Awards

11 Award Wins, 27 Nominations

Academy Award	4 Nomination
BAFTA Award	3 Wins

Fenton collaborated frequently with Alan Bennett and Stephen Frears, both of whom he met during his early acting days. He received his first major award, a BAFTA, for his work on the much-loved theme tune of the long-running TV series Bergerac. Since 1990, he has written the music for a number of acclaimed wildlife series for the BBC including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet. In addition to his television work, Fenton is known for his work on films such as Dangerous Liaisons, Cry Freedom and Gandhi, for which he was nominated with his collaborator, Ravi Shankar, for an Academy Award. Fenton founded the Association of Professional Composers which later became the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music and the University of Nottingham.