Benjamin Frankel

British composer Benjamin Frankel was born on 31 January 1906 to Polish Jewish parents and grew up in Hammersmith, London. He learned to play the violin and piano as a child and studied music full time from the age of fourteen.

He worked initially as a jazz violinist, pianist and arranger, known as Ben Frankel. He was already writing serious music, and became known for this during World War II. His output includes eight symphonies, five string quartets, violin and viola concertos, chamber music and more than a hundred film scores.

Towards the end of his life he developed his own style of twelve-note technique which was designed to maintain contact with tonality.

Benjamin Frankel died in London on 12 February 1973, aged sixty-seven.

 

A selection of articles about Benjamin Frankel

Resounding Echoes with Robert McCarney - 1945

CD Spotlight. Great Entertainment - SOMM Recordings' second volume of film music, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Iain Sutherland and his Promenade players display no want of energy and each track is tackled with effervescence and enthusiasm, making the music sound even more exciting than it was thought to be.'