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articles / Film/TV

A Conversation with the Composer Behind Downton Abbey’s Unforgettable Theme

Film/TVPop CulturePop CultureArts Alive Blog


Composer John Lunn | Photo by Phil Watkins

With all the Oscar hype currently in the air, it’s easy to forget some of the successful motion pictures not included in this year’s Oscar mania. In particular Downton Abbey: The Movie.

The film, set in 1927, depicts a visit by the King and Queen to the Crawley family’s English country house in the Yorkshire countryside. It was both a critical and financial success. John Van Driel had a chance to talk to the composer of the motion pictures iconic film score.

Hit play below to listen to our extended Arts Alive feature.  
A Conversation with the Composer Behind Downton Abbey’s Unforgettable Theme
00:00
 
Film/TVPop CulturePop CultureArts Alive Blog
Written by:
In John’s long radio career, he’s been an on-air host, arts editor, VP of Programming & Operations, and even a station manager. He’s produced and conducted thousands of interviews, and over 500 live to air studio performances from Lang Lang to Sondra Radvanovsky to Tafelmusik. In his previous life, he was VP of Programming for Toronto’s commercial classical music station, now he programs much of the music you hear on-air and online and hosts several overnight show. The one thing John wishes everyone knew about classical music is that because the genre is so vast and varied, there really is something for everyone.
John Van Driel
Published on 01.14.2020

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