Legendary Composer George Fenton, Voice Behind 'Blue Planet' & BBC News, Dies at 76
Legendary Composer George Fenton, Voice Behind 'Blue Planet' & BBC News, Dies at 76
Award-winning composer George Fenton, known for his iconic scores for "The Blue Planet," "Planet Earth," and BBC News themes, has passed away at 76. Celebrate his incredible legacy!
The world of music is mourning the unexpected passing of prolific British composer George Fenton, who died on Monday at the age of 76. His management, CMG, confirmed the sad news, stating he is survived by his loving wife Amanda, ex-wife Jane, children Gemma, Grace, and Bridget, as well as several grandchildren, and a vast legacy of music.
Born in Kent in 1949, Fenton's extraordinary career spanned theatre, television, and film, leaving an indelible mark on global audiences.
He was particularly celebrated for his groundbreaking collaborations with Sir David Attenborough, crafting the mesmerizing scores for iconic natural history documentaries including “The Trials Of Life,” “Life In The Freezer,” and the globally renowned “The Blue Planet.” This partnership extended to other beloved series like “Planet Earth,” “Frozen Planet,” and most recently, the BBC One series “Wild Isles” in 2022.
Beyond the wonders of the natural world, Fenton's compositions graced numerous popular television dramas of the 1980s, such as “The Jewel In The Crown,” “The Monocled Mutineer,” and Alan Bennett's “Talking Heads.” He also penned the instantly recognizable theme music for several BBC news programmes, including the “One O'Clock News,” “Six O'Clock News,” “Nine O'Clock News,” “Newsnight,” and “The Money Programme.” Fenton's cinematic contributions were equally significant.
He famously collaborated with acclaimed directors like Lord Richard Attenborough, Nora Ephron, and Ken Loach, earning five Oscar nominations for his work on films such as “Gandhi.” His exceptional talent garnered him a remarkable 28 awards throughout his career, including Baftas, Emmys, Ivor Novellos, BMIs, and a Classic Brit Award. In recognition of his immense contributions to music, Fenton was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2023.
He passed away in London, leaving behind a symphonic legacy that will continue to resonate for generations.
