Francis Chagrin described himself as 'Romanian by birth, British by nationality, and cosmopolitan by inclination,' reflecting his diverse background and artistic outlook.
Composer Biography
Francis Chagrin was a polyglot, fluent in French, English, Romanian, and German, and also knew Italian and Spanish, even studying Russian for a trip to the USSR.
Composer Biography
Francis Chagrin, born Alexander Paucker in Romania, adopted his new name to reflect his sadness at his divorce and disinheritance, and to make a clean break from his past.
Cultural Impact
Francis Chagrin founded the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM) to help composers hear their own music played, and its list of supported composers includes many notable British figures.
Recording & Production
This album features the world premiere recordings of Francis Chagrin's Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2.
Composer Biography
Francis Chagrin had a prolific career in commercial music, composing for over 200 films, television shows like Doctor Who, and numerous commercials.
Performer Biography
Martyn Brabbins, the conductor on this album, is known for his affinity with music of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly British music.
