Michael J. Lewis

Composer of Hollywood film scores

Born:

1938

Place of Birth:

Aberystwyth

"There are Welsh hymns, folk songs, absolute musical treasures, which have never been heard beyond Welsh borders. We need to take these treasures to America, to the world, to expose to the world the rich and enriching, indeed glorious Welsh music" Michael J. Lewis

Biography:

Michael J. Lewis is an award-winning composer who was born in Aberystwyth in Ceredigion in 1938. His first performance as a musician was as a six-year-old choirboy in the town.

By the age of ten, he was the organist at three churches. It was during this time that he learnt to improvise filling in the time at weddings while an impatient bridegroom and guests waited for the bride to appear.

He left Aberystwyth in his late teens and moved to London to study harmony, counterpoint, and composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was at this time that he fell under the spell of films such as the early Bond series, and decided that grand scale, romantic film scoring was where his future lay.

In 1968, British director Bryan Forbes invited Lewis to compose the score for The Madwoman of Chaillot, starring Katherine Hepburn, Danny Kaye, and Yul Brynner. Lewis's first film score earned him a prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

He has since lived and worked in Hollywood, where his film scores include Charlton Heston's Julius Caesar,The Medusa Touch, with Richard Burton and Lee Remick, and Theatre of Blood, with Vincent Price and Diana Rigg.

Emmy Award
He has produced music for the theatre, television and commercials, receiving a Grammy nomination for his collaboration with the late Anthony Burgess on the Broadway musical Cyrano and an Emmy award for his score for the animated film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Lewis is the founding director of Côr Cymraeg De Califfornia (the Welsh Choir of Southern California), bringing his love of Welsh music to new audiences. He has also formed a record company called Pen Dinas (named after the Iron Age fort overlooking Aberystwyth) to introduce Welsh music, both traditional and contemporary, to the record-buying public.

In 1998, he was commissioned by the University of Wales Aberystwyth and the Arts Council of Wales to compose a suite for the college's Wind Band.

your comments

Didier from Continental Europe
Regarding "Upon this rock"there is a very obscure LP on Hebra record,whose title is"The Monks and Nuns from Theleme Abbey"including music from this movie~~THE PIETA~~ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI~~UPON THIS ROCK~~QUEEN CHRISTINA'S SOLILOQUY.Issued more than confidentially in 1970,and virtually impossible to come across.So forget the CD issue!!!I hope it can be a useful info...
Wed Dec 31 09:40:53 2008

carol jones talybont nr barmouth
Can anyone help me to find the soundtrack from the film 'The Man who Haunted Himself'.Everytime my husband watches the film he says how much he would like a cd of the soundtrack. I have scoured the internet but cannot find it
Tue Aug 5 09:32:00 2008

Lars, Norway
The main title from Theatre of Blood,The Hound of the Baskervilles,The Passage...Great great music...not to mention 92 in the shade.I'm listening to The Madwoman of Chaillot as I write this...so there you go.
Fri Feb 15 09:19:51 2008

Tony Wiggins from South Ockendon Essex
I would love to get the music from The man who haunted himself, composed by Michel J Lewis. Where can I buy it?
Mon Jan 21 08:36:48 2008

Reuben Lane
I recently heard some selections from the score "Upon This Rock" and would love to find out how I could obtain this beautiful CD. Thanks for any help!
Wed Nov 28 09:10:12 2007

Delyth Jones Anglesey
I would like a copy of Romantic spendour of Wales by Michael J Lewis - recorded with Cor y Traeth?
Wed Nov 21 16:01:24 2007

Junaid Zaman from Pakistan
I loved the music of the lion the witch and wardrobe. It was basically the music which played major part in the animation and pt life in the scenes. I will be very grateful if anyoe can help me where to find it.
Sun Sep 23 09:55:54 2007

Alan Billingham
My favouite MJL score is the Award winning Mad Woman Of Chailot - his score for Cyrano never received the recognition it deserved.
Mon May 14 15:26:26 2007

Jon Staton, London
Michael is a legend in the realms of romantic composition.Great melodic writers are few & far between. We could well do with his talent back in the UK to bring those magical orchestral qualitys of escapism into our hum drum lives.
Mon Apr 30 15:10:24 2007

Mugsy
I'd love to get a copy of the music from The Island of Adventure. Great score!
Thu Apr 26 10:22:14 2007

Christian from Los Angeles
This great British composer unfortunately was basically ignored in Hollywood, probably because he had the very same qualities like John Williams... and that meant 'competition' in town !
Sun Jan 21 12:25:43 2007

D Panitz Santa Ana, CA
Would love to find the sheet music for Rhamant Dau, By Michael J Lewis. I would love to sing this at my daughter's wedding. Please someone help.
Wed Jan 3 09:33:55 2007

Jannie Funster
I am thrilled and privileged to know and work with Michael J. Lewis and call him a friend. He is the true genuine wonderful musical article. London and L.A.'s loss is Austin Texas' gain! Michael is currently working on his best project to date.
Thu Oct 26 09:40:38 2006

Ravi Mall, Toronto (Canada)
I have also been searching for the music in the L.P. as mentioned by K Sherwood.Can you please tell me who the composer is (I believe the name was mentioned in the movie itself)
Sun Jul 9 15:47:51 2006

Jenni Evans from Ross-shire
My daughter and I just love the soundtrack of the lion the witch and the wardrobe animated film which we have just seen for the first time. I would love to know if the soundtrack is available on CD or vinyl.
Tue Jan 3 23:50:04 2006

Kevin Gill
The music from Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe is one of the most captivating and beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. I would like to know with all the renewed interest in the story and the animated film, which is one of my all time favourites, can anyone tell me if the soundtrack is available and where I can buy it.
Wed Dec 7 07:14:26 2005

Kent Smith from Kimberly
I would Love the Sheet Music for The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Wed Dec 7 04:37:48 2005

Jane Menzies, Guernsey
I would love to obtain the sheet music for The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe main theme, but can't find it! If anyone can help, I would be most grateful!
Mon Nov 14 13:37:56 2005

silva screen web site
Soundtrack to THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF and 92 in The Shade promo only but they stock the CD
Fri Jun 25 22:50:47 2004

K Sherwood
I am interested in obtaining the music from The Man Who Haunted Himself, starring Roger Moore. I am particularly interested in the L.P. played by Pelham (Roger Moore) at different intervals in the film. Can you tell me if this music was composed by Michael J. Lewis, and if so the title and where I can buy it.
Wed Mar 17 14:17:49 2004

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