*SYMPHONY NO.3 - 'THE SNOWMAN' op.595 (January 2010)

A work combining the music of 'The Snowman' (both the film and the ballet) into a symphony for choir and orch.
Published by: Chester Music (Highbridge)
Commissioned by: HRH Idris, The Sultan of Selangor
Instrumentation: Enlarged chamber orchestra, SATB chorus, solo treble or soprano. (Optional narration)

[Key to Abbreviations]
Note on Lyrics: Narration text and lyrics by Howard Blake
Duration: 60 mins
First Performance:

The premiere is reserved for a command performance for HRH The Sultan of Selangor, the date as of January 1st 2010 yet to be announced.

The Snowman began as an animated film with music in 1982, was enlarged into a 55' ballet in 1993 in which year it was also further extended into a 90' stage show. This was further revised and extended in 2000 in which form it continues to run in the theatre. The symphony draws on all these materials.


Sheet Music Available
Full score for sale
Study score for sale
Orchestral parts for sale
Vocal score for sale
Full score for hire
Study score for hire
Orchestral parts for hire
Vocal score for hire

All sheet music for "The Snowman" and "Walking In The Air" since 2010 is published and available from Chester Music Ltd, part of The Music Sales Group, www.chesternovello.com It can be purchased online from MusicRoom.com, or from music retailers.

"Walking In The Air" is also available in a concert piano-only version arranged by the composer direct from Highbridge Music as part of the collection of piano pieces called "Lifecycle", available form Amazon or from Highbridge Music.

Recordings Available
The Snowman - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: May 2006
Artists: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chris Jarvis (narrator), David Parry (conductor)

Howard Blake describes 25 years of The Snowman animated film and 10 years of The Snowman Stage Show at Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre in London's West End and plays "Walking in the Air". View the recording here.

The classic original Columbia album conducted by Howard Blake with treble soloist Peter Auty and narration by Bernard Cribbins is available from Sony Music Entertainment CDX71116CD, Amazon and retailers.

The 2010 DVD film of The Snowman Live Stage Show narrated by Joanna Lumley is available from Sony Music Entertainment, CDR 81267; also from Amazon and retailers.

Performances

19th December 2021 Harrogate Symphony Orchestra, musical director Bryan Western, tba Royal Concert Hall or International Conference Hall, Harrogate, Yorkshire

The Snowman Symphony is scheduled to be performed by The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra,which Howard himself conducted in a performance of his 'Suite from Agatha' (22nd. June 2019.)

'The Snowman' began as an animated film with music in 1982, was enlarged into a 55' ballet in 1993 in which year it was also further extended into a 90' stage show. This was further revised and extended in 2000 in which form it continues to run in theatres in UK and around the world.

Related Works


'*AUTOBIOGRAPHY' op.428 (December 2017)
TITLE: 'WALKING IN THE AIR CAN BE DANGEROUS'
'*THE SNOWMAN CONCERT VERSION (to be performed with optional projected film, or narration, or both), for boy soprano and orchestra' op.323 (October 1983) (Audio Sample Available)
A concert version of the score for the animated film
'THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (TWELVE-PLAYER VERSION)' op.459 (September 1993) (Audio Sample Available)
A full-evening theatre show in two acts, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the film by TVC and incorporating the music of the ballet (arranged here for 12 instruments)
'THE SNOWMAN BALLET (A BALLET IN TWO ACTS - ORCHESTRAL VERSION)' op.530 (August 2001)
Orchestral version of The Snowman Stage Show in two acts with choreography by Robert North
'THE SNOWMAN PIANO SCORE' op.323a (November 1983)
The complete concert work based on the animated film, arranged for narrator, boy soprano and piano by the composer
'*THE SNOWMAN (ANIMATED CHILDREN'S FILM)' op.310 (September 1982)
Channel 4 animated film directed by Diane Jackson, wordless except for the featured song, 'Walking in the Air', music and lyrics by Howard Blake who also composed, orchestrated and conducted the score. Oscar nomination, best short film; BAFTA best children's programme; Bafta TV nomination - best graphics; Grand Prix Tampere International Short Film Festival etc
'LE BONHOMME DE NEIGE (for narrator , treble and orchestra)' op.342 (January 1985)
A French version of 'The Snowman'
'THE SNOWMAN SCHOOLS VERSION' op.369 (1986)
The complete score of The Snowman concert version for narrator, boy soprano (amplified) or SATB chorus in an easy-to-play version for schools
'The Snowman Easy Piano Suite' op.371b (January 1986)
One of a series of Snowman Instrumental Suites
'SNOWMAN SOUP' op.395 (May 1989)
Japan, music for a TV advertising film
'THE SNOWMAN BALLET (ORCHESTRAL VERSION IN ONE ACT)' op.452 (July 1993)
A ballet with choreography by Robert North and music by Howard Blake
'SNOWMAN SUITE FOR STRING QUARTET' op.457 (August 1993)
Concert suite in one movement
'THE SNOWMAN FULL LENGTH THEATRE ARRANGED FOR SMALL GROUP' op.479 (1995)
A version specially made for The Lyric Theatre, Belfast
'*THE SNOWMAN SHOW (NINE-INSTRUMENT VERSION)' op.497 (May 1997)
A revised version of the Birmingham Rep 1993 Production
'*THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW IN TWO ACTS, 5-INSTRUMENT VERSION' op.522 (December 2000)
The definitive stage version of The Snowman as produced at The Peacock Theatre, London 2000-2018 by Sadler's Wells/Birmingham Rep, based on the book by Raymond Briggs and the Channel 4 animated film
'THEME FROM THE SNOWMAN FOR BRASS' op.554 (2005)
Arrangement by Philip Sparke
'LE BONHOMME DE NEIGE' op.556 (January 1985)
French narration of "The Snowman" (see op.342)
'THE ICE PRINCESS AND THE SNOWMAN - PAS DE DEUX FOR PIANO TRIO' op.557 (2005)
Arrangement of the dance duet for The Ice Princess and The Snowman from 'The Snowman Stage Show'
'SUITE FROM THE BALLET 'THE SNOWMAN' (FOR SATB CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA)' op.575 (November 2009)
Concert work for SATB and orchestra (optional solo treble in Walking in the Air) in 6 movements
'WALKING IN THE AIR (a duet version for treble, tenor & orchestra)' op.576 (August 2006)
A new version of the song from The Snowman composed for Aled Jones
''WALKING IN THE AIR' FOR WIND BAND' op.582A (January 1996)
The theme from The Snowman arranged by Stephen Barnwell
'THEMES FROM THE SNOWMAN FOR WIND BAND' op.582B (January 1996)
Arranged by Stephen Barnwell
'SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (SHORTENED VERSION)' op.584 (May 2007)
Specially adapted for performance in Tampere Finland
'*SYMPHONY NO.3 - 'THE SNOWMAN'' op.595 (January 2010)
A work combining the music of 'The Snowman' (both the film and the ballet) into a symphony for choir and orch.
'THE SNOWMAN FOR BRASS' op.596 (September 2008)
Arranged by Alfred Tubb

Related Autobiography Chapters


MADELEINE MITCHELL (VIOLIN) AND HOWARD BLAKE (PIANO) RECORD AN ALBUM FOR NAXOS (2007)
'SPIELTRIEB' A STRING QUARTET IN FOUR MOVEMENTS (2008)

[Back to top]