Craig Fortnam
Encyclopedia
Craig Fortnam is an English composer
, conductor
and musician. Fortnam is a skilled guitarist and bass guitarist, specialising in nylon-string
acoustic guitar (which he plays in a style drawing both on classical techniques and the work of Nick Drake
) and also sings. He is best known as the leader, conductor and principal composer of the North Sea Radio Orchestra
, but also leads the smaller band Arch Garrison and was previously a key member of several other bands, most notably The Shrubbies and Lake of Puppies.
, striking up a long-lasting relationship with several of the band members. Among the bands Fortnam played in was Lake Of Puppies (a "psychedelic acoustic" band led by former Cardiacs keyboard player William D. Drake
), in which he met his future wife and long-term collaborator Sharron Saddington (later to be known as Sharron Fortnam). Fortnam and Saddington went on to form a similar psychedelic-acoustic band called The Shrubbies (initially Shrubby Veronica) with two more ex-Cardiacs - saxophonist Sarah Smith and drummer Dominic Luckman.
During this time, Fortnam wrote a wide variety of music including some contemporary classical compositions which were performed by ensembles including the Kreutzer Quartet and the Britten Sinfonia
.
(also known as NSRO) in 2002 as a vehicle for Craig's more classically-inclined compositions and Sharron's voice (an unusual soprano blending elements of folk, rock, and classical music). The ensemble grew from an octet to a twenty-person grouping including a vocal chorus and has released two albums of original compositions - North Sea Radio Orchestra (2006) and Birds (2008). NSRO has received a large amount of critical acclaim and played a wide variety of venues including many historic London churches and the Roundhouse
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and musician. Fortnam is a skilled guitarist and bass guitarist, specialising in nylon-string
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
acoustic guitar (which he plays in a style drawing both on classical techniques and the work of Nick Drake
Nick Drake
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake was an English singer-songwriter and musician. Though he is best known for his sombre guitar based songs, Drake was also proficient at piano, clarinet and saxophone...
) and also sings. He is best known as the leader, conductor and principal composer of the North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
, but also leads the smaller band Arch Garrison and was previously a key member of several other bands, most notably The Shrubbies and Lake of Puppies.
Musical education and early years in rock bands
Fortnam trained in composition and guitar at Dartington College, England before moving back to London in the early 1990s to seek work as a musician. During this time, he played with several rock and folk bands connected with the cult English rock band CardiacsCardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, striking up a long-lasting relationship with several of the band members. Among the bands Fortnam played in was Lake Of Puppies (a "psychedelic acoustic" band led by former Cardiacs keyboard player William D. Drake
William D. Drake
William D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...
), in which he met his future wife and long-term collaborator Sharron Saddington (later to be known as Sharron Fortnam). Fortnam and Saddington went on to form a similar psychedelic-acoustic band called The Shrubbies (initially Shrubby Veronica) with two more ex-Cardiacs - saxophonist Sarah Smith and drummer Dominic Luckman.
During this time, Fortnam wrote a wide variety of music including some contemporary classical compositions which were performed by ensembles including the Kreutzer Quartet and the Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra ensemble based in Cambridge, UK. It was created in 1992, following an initiative from Eastern Arts and a number of key figures including Nicholas Cleobury, who recognised the need for an orchestra in the East of England. It is a flexible ensemble composed of...
.
North Sea Radio Orchestra
Craig and Sharron Fortnam formed North Sea Radio OrchestraNorth Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
(also known as NSRO) in 2002 as a vehicle for Craig's more classically-inclined compositions and Sharron's voice (an unusual soprano blending elements of folk, rock, and classical music). The ensemble grew from an octet to a twenty-person grouping including a vocal chorus and has released two albums of original compositions - North Sea Radio Orchestra (2006) and Birds (2008). NSRO has received a large amount of critical acclaim and played a wide variety of venues including many historic London churches and the Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
.