COMMERCIALS

This is a short list of the more interesting commercial music tracks composed, conducted and recorded by Howard Blake for television, cinema and radio, selected from over 200 projects.

Many of the film directors with whom he has worked learnt their craft in making what were often brilliant miniatures and Howard attributes much of his skill in orchestration and synchronising music to film to his experience gained in this area.

In general music for commercials is not available, although 'Lakme', used by British Airways for more than 20 years, has become globally famous and is available in many versions on commercial recordings. 

Click on the title of any work for further details.

'*BRITISH AIRWAYS THEME TUNE - LAKME' op.333 (March 1984)
Music for a TV advertising film, the launch of the famous duet from Lakme, music by Leo Delibes, arranged and conducted by Howard Blake
'HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY 13-16' op.613 (May 2010)
Three tv ads for HSS Baggage, Soccer, World-Cup
'HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY (9-12)' op.591 (June 2008)
4 new animated films
'HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY (3)' op.579 (January 2007)
Animated television films: Ballet, Carpal Tunnel, Skier
'HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY (2)' op.573 (April 2006)
Music for animated tv advertising films
'HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY' op.547 (January 2005)
Music for USA animated TV advertising films
'FRIGATE BIRD' op.529 (March 2001)
Music for a TV advertising film
'K-MART' op.515 (November 1999)
Music for a USA TV advertising film
'TEARS OF JOY' op.499 (June 1997)
A new arrangement of Lakme for 2 sopranos and piano(see op.333), music for a TV advertising film (British Airways)
'BRITISH TELECOM' op.482 (August 1995)
Sketch only, music for a TV advertising film
'DANCE OF THE BLESSED SPIRITS' op.430 (September 1991)
Music for a TV advertising film - arrangement of the theme by Gluck
'R.E.N.F.E.' op.421 (November 1990)
Spanish Railways, music for a TV advertising film - 'Walking in the air'
'SNOWMAN SOUP' op.395 (May 1989)
Japan, music for a TV advertising film
'ASTRA' op.391 (November 1988)
Music for a TV and cinema film to launch the communications satellite
'KNORR' op.389 (September 1988)
Music for a TV advertising film
'VOLVO USA' op.373 (October 1986)
USA, music for a TV advertising film - Jane Eaglen singing 'La Wally' - demo
'MIDLAND BANK' op.367 (September 1986)
Music for a TV advertising film
'EQUITABLE CRUISE USA' op.368 (August 1986)
A version of 'Make-believe' for a USA tv film, music for a TV advertising film
'VOLVO USA' op.363 (April 1986)
Music for a TV advertising film
'INTERGOLD' op.362 (March 1986)
Film track for Italian TV, music for a TV advertising film
'WALLS ICE CREAM' op.376 (1986)
Music for a TV advertising film
'VOLVO USA' op.355 (November 1985)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BRITISH AIRWAYS - 'SUPERLAKME'' op.353 (September 1985)
Music for a TV advertising film
'FREEDOM OF SPEECH - VODAPHONE' op.352 (September 1985)
''Freedom of speech'', music for a TV advertising film
'SKOL' op.331 (1985)
Music for a TV advertising film
'FIRST COMPUTER' op.332 (1985)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BRITISH AIRWAYS' op.348 (1985)
The further use of Delibes' 'Lakme' for a TV advertising film
'RACAL VODAPHONE' op.351 (1985)
Music for a TV advertising film
'LENOR' op.336 (June 1984)
Music for a TV advertising film - piano demo
'TRE PRES' op.328 (December 1983)
Music for a TV advertising film
'KESTREL' op.325 (May 1983)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BRITISH TELECOM' op.316 (May 1982)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BRITISH AIRWAYS: 'BIZARRE BAZAAR' op.315 (April 1982)
Music for a TV advertising film
'PRINCIPALITY' op.313 (February 1982)
Music for a TV advertising film
'MASTERPIECE' op.309 (August 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'FORD CAPRI 2' op.308 (July 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'FORD CAPRI' op.306 (July 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'COCA-COLA - KRISTAL (LAUNCH)' op.297 (July 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CHEESE' op.305 (July 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'FULFILLING' op.307 (June 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'RHAPSODY IN GOLD' op.299 (March 1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CLASSIC' op.311 (1981)
Music for a TV advertising film
'G.P.O - ANNIVERSARY' op.294 (September 1980)
Music for a TV advertising film
'LEGAL AND GENERAL' op.295 (September 1980)
Music for a TV advertising film - demo only
'MANIKIN' op.304 (July 1980)
Demo music for a TV advertising film new campaign
'ICI VYMURA' op.292 (May 1980)
Music for a TV advertising film
'MANIKIN' op.291 (January 1980)
Music for a TV advertising film
'G.P.O. - SONG FOR GUY' op.296 (1980)
Music for a TV advertising film - arrangement of Elton John
'AIR CANADA' op.290 (November 1979)
Music for 3 TV and radio advertising films
'LOWENBRAU' op.285 (September 1979)
Music for a TV advertising film demo only
'SILENT NIGHT' op.279 (February 1979)
Music for a TV advertising film - 'Patricia' Perez Prado re-visited
'CONVICT' op.278 (February 1979)
Music for a TV advertising film for Richard Williams
'W H SMITH IMAGES' op.276 (February 1979)
Music for a cinema advertising film for Richard Williams
'LYONS' op.277 (1979)
Music for a TV advertising film for Richard Williams
'BANJO' op.267 (June 1978)
Radio commercial
'BANJO' op.266 (May 1978)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BANJO' op.262 (February 1978)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CYCLISTS' op.270 (1978)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BATCHELORS' op.260 (December 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film
'EARTHBORNE' op.261 (December 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film - Gillette
'SHELL' op.258 (October 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film for Dick Williams - You Can Be Sure Of Shell, arr. of Johnny Johnson
'REBEL REBEL' op.256 (October 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film - arrangement of David Bowie 2
'REBEL REBEL' op.255 (September 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film - arrangement of David Bowie 1
'*PINK PANTHER' op.250 (July 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film for Richard Williams (COURTESY HENRY MANCINI)
'IMPERIAL TWO' op.246 (February 1977)
Music for a cinema advertising film
'THAILAND TWO' op.245 (February 1977)
Music for a TV advertising film
'IMPERIAL' op.243 (January 1977)
Music for a cinema advertising film
'ICI Corporate' op.242 (December 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film for orchestra (the LSO)
'SAMSON' op.240 (November 1976)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams GRAND PRIX DU CINEMA, CANNES FESTIVAL 1977
''ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS'' op.239 (November 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BARBER SHOP' op.234 (September 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'SPACESUIT' op.233 (September 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CLUB MIXES' op.235 (September 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'SKOL AMSTERDAM' op.232 (September 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BRANSTON' op.231 (August 1976)
Four versions of 'Bring out the Branston' for radio
'ECLAIRS' op.225 (July 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'KNORR SOUP' op.226 (July 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'NAKED' op.224 (July 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'GESELLETJES' op.227 (July 1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'THE FORGOTTRN CHOP' op.222 (1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'RINSO IN THAILAND' op.223 (1976)
Music for a TV advertising film
'SUTHERLAND SPREAD' op.216 (November 1975)
Music for a TV advertising film for Richard Williams
''AMERICAN'' op.215 (October 1975)
Music for an animated cinema advertising film directed by Richard Williams. CELNE AWARD, NEW YORK 1977
'W.H. SMITH (THREE YEARS)' op.213 (September 1975)
Music for TV advertising films
'EYE DEW' op.207 (August 1975)
Cinema Commercial for Richard Williams
'THE TOP 100 LPs' op.208 (August 1975)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CAMPING GAZ' op.201 (April 1975)
Music for a TV advertising film - The Teddy Bear's Picnic revisited
'SCHOLL' op.196 (March 1975)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CARNATION' op.197 (March 1975)
Music for a TV advertising film
'KELLOGGS' op.200 (1975)
Demo song for a TV advertising film
'VAN DEN BERGH' op.206 (1975)
Music for a TV advertising film for Richard Williams
'ANGEL DELIGHT' op.182 (April 1974)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams
'BRIEDEL LA VACHE' op.183 (April 1974)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams
'BARCLAYS BANK - 'THE COW'' op.180 (March 1974)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams
'BRIEDEL CAMEMBERT' op.181 (March 1974)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams
'KING CADBURY' op.178 (January 1974)
Music for an animated TV film by Richard Williams
'EVERY TIME THAT THINGS GO WRONG' op.184 (1974)
A rejected demo for corn flakes that engendered an operatic aria! (see 'The Station')
'YARDLEY' op.185 (1974)
Music for a TV advertising film
'ICI THE PATHFINDERS' op.185A (1974)
Music for a TV advertising film
'NOT EVERYTHING GOES QUITE THE WAY YOU THINK IT WILL' op.168 (October 1973)
The first-ever English radio commercial, for 'The Times'
'STANDA' op.155 (March 1972)
Music for an Italian cinema film
'THE BANK OF A LIFETIME' op.154 (February 1972)
Music for a TV advertising film
'WEETABIX - BOY WITH A HELMET' op.144A (January 1972)
Music for a TV advertising film
'SKI' op.151 (January 1972)
Music for a TV advertising film
'W.H. SMITH - EXPLORING' op.150 (January 1972)
Music for a TV advertising film
'TOT-SHOP - A MINI-MUSICAL FOR ROWNTREES' op.149 (January 1972)
Music for a TV advertising film
'VYMURA' op.146 (December 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'YOUNG GENERATION - A MINI-MUSICAL' op.145 (December 1971)
Music for a cinema advertising film
'THIS IS THE WAY' op.144 (November 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BEREC' op.143 (November 1971)
Music for a radio advert
'THE ENGAGEMENT' op.141 (October 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'SMIRNOFF' op.142 (October 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'W.H. SMITH AT XMAS' op.139 (October 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'KP NUTS' op.140 (October 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'WARNINKS' op.138 (September 1971)
Ian Carmichael sings a song for a TV advertising film
'CAMEO' op.137 (September 1971)
Music for a cinema advertising film
'SOVEREIGN' op.135 (September 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'TRAIN - A MINI MUSICAL' op.134 (September 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'BE-RO' op.133 (September 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'IT'S ALL AT THE CO-OP NOW!' op.132 (August 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'HEADACHE' op.129 (August 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'*WHISTLING TUNE' op.127 (August 1971)
for an Irish TV advertising film
'MOTHERCARE DUET' op.128 (August 1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'ATORA' op.126 (July 1971)
A soing for a TV advertising film
'W.H. SMITH' op.107 (January 1971)
A 'Fugue for Moog' for a TV film
'*ALPEN' op.106 (January 1971)
Music for a launch campaign for TV advertising
'CRAVEN A' op.109 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'ALIBI' op.110 (1971)
TV ad
'BIRDS EYE' op.112 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film directed by Ridley Scott
'MOTHERCARE' op.113 (1971)
Music for a film for TV
'WHAT MAKES A GREAT CUPPA?' op.114 (1971)
A song for an animated TV film
'HB' op.115 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CHERRY B' op.116 (1971)
TV ad
'DREFT' op.117 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'*ROCKET - A FUGUE FOR MOOG' op.118 (1971)
Music for a Dunlop TV advertising film
'KLEENEX - CHILD, COUGH AND VICAR' op.119 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'*KP NUTS - MULTI-TRACK BICYCLE' op.120 (1971)
A sound track for a TV advertising film using bicycle noises
'TRAVELLING TRUMPET' op.121 (1971)
A 'travelling' jazz trumpet solo for a TV advertising film
'SCHOLL' op.122 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'*RUSSIAN WINTER' op.123 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film directed by Ridley Scott
'NESCAFE - PERCOLATION' op.124 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'NATIONAL DAIRY COUNCIL' op.125 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CROWN' op.147 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'GOLD BLEND' op.148 (1971)
Music for a TV advertising film
'DREFT' op.88 (March 1970)
TV ad
'WONDERCRISP' op.89 (March 1970)
TV ad
'ERIN' op.87 (March 1970)
TV ad
'ROWNTREES' op.86 (March 1970)
Fingammies - TV ad
'KlLEENEX' op.85 (February 1970)
TV ad
'BEREC' op.84 (1970)
TV ad
'NESCAFE NEW LABEL' op.89a (1970)
Music for a TV advertising film
'JUNGLIES' op.91 (1970)
A 'George Formby' track for a TV advertiusing film
'FINGAMMIES' op.92 (1970)
A launch track for a TV advertiusing film
'GRANDEE' op.93 (1970)
A launch for a new TV campaign, Grandee cigars
'CO-OP' op.94 (1970)
3 tracks for TV films
'ALIBI' op.95 (1970)
Music for TV films
'ANTI-SMOKING' op.96 (1970)
Music for TV films
'TV TIMES' op.97 (1970)
Music for TV films
'COLGATE' op.98 (1970)
Music for TV films
'AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION' op.99 (1970)
Music for TV films 3 30'' versions
'MATCHMAKERS' op.100 (1970)
Music for a TV film
'TOFFEE CRISP' op.101 (1970)
A 'musical' advertising film for TV
'HUSH PUPPIES' op.108 (1970)
An arrangement for a TV film
'PABST' op.102 (1970)
Music for USA TV films and radio
'KLEENEX' op.103 (1970)
TV ad
'GILLETTE' op.104 (1970)
Music for film and TV advertising
'DUNLOP' op.76 (October 1969)
A scat jazz vocal by Jon Hendrix with big band for a Dunlop tv ad.
'DUNLOP' op.45 (1969)
music for a tv film series
'DEEP HEAT, DELIGHT' op.46 (1969)
Two TV Ads,
'JAFFA, GIPSY CREAMS, HEARTY JOE, KLEENEX' op.48 (1969)
Four Commercials for TV
'MON CHERI' op.60 (1969)
TV Demos
'ENERGEN SWEETNESS' op.61 (1969)
Film music for tv
'LIFEBOY' op.62 (1969)
Arrangement of music by David Rose for tv
'BABYCHAM DRY' op.63 (1969)
TV ad demo
'NESCAFE' op.64 (1969)
Music for a tv film series
'GOLDEN GLEN BISCUITS' op.65 (1969)
TV ad
'SINGER SEWING MACHINES' op.66 (1969)
TV Ad Demo
'PATACAKE' op.67 (1969)
TV ad
'LIFEBOY BULLFIGHT' op.68 (1969)
TV ad
'BOUNTY - THE TASTE OF PARADISE' op.69 (1969)
The theme-tune for TV and cinema advertising
'BECEL' op.72 (1969)
TV ad
'MAXWELL HOUSE - MAXIMISE' op.73 (1969)
Music for a TV advertising film directed by Ridley Scott
'HUNTER' op.74 (1969)
Cinema ads
'RIBENA' op.75 (1969)
Music for a TV advertising film
'CARROLLS NUMBER ONE' op.77 (1969)
Theme for a TV film
'BEREC' op.78 (1969)
TV ad
'KLEENEX' op.79 (1969)
A Tamla Motown lookalike track for TV
'JAFFA' op.80 (1969)
TV ad
'BROADLEAF' op.81 (1969)
TV ad
'MOTHERCARE MULTI-HARPS' op.83 (1969)
An experiment with multi-tracked harps
'SAINT MORITZ' op.38 (1968)
The launch music for a cinema advertising film
'CRAVEN A' op.39 (1968)
Music for a cinema advertising film
'*COURAGE LIGHT ALE CANNON SHOT' op.40 (1968)
The music for a TV advertising film directed by Terry Donovan, TV MAIL BEST SOUND TRACK AWARD 1968
'ICI PATHFINDERS' op.41 (1968)
The theme music for ICI Corporate TV advertising
'JIF, MAXWELL HOUSE, ENERGEN' op.44 (1968)
Three TV Ads
'TRAIN' op.37 (1968)
Music for a cinema advertising film directed by Peter Collinson
'PICADOR, CAMAY, CO-OP' op.20 (September 1966)
Three TV advertising films directed by Peter Collinson
'PROMPT' op.21 (1966)
Three experimental music tracks for Benton and Bowles
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