Rick Wentworth
Encyclopedia
Rick Wentworth is a BAFTA nominated Film and TV Composer, Conductor, Orchestrator and Arranger.
Rick is represented by HotHouse Music.
", directed by Bruce Robinson in 1987. This was followed by Bruce Robinson's second film "How To Get Ahead In Advertising" - both films were produced by George Harrison’s company Handmade Films.
Rick’s TV credits include the BAFTA award winning "Jonathan Creek
" (series and specials), all four seasons of the hugely successful ITV drama "Ultimate Force
" for Bentley Productions, the BAFTA award winning "Between The Lines" and "Cracker" for which Rick received a BAFTA nomination.
As well as music for Film, TV dramas and documentaries, Rick has also written music for many advertising campaigns including Nissan, Kellogs, American Express, Burger King, American Airlines, Ford and Guinness.
" (2005) "Hellboy II", "Notorious B.I.G.", the Oscar nominated "Milk (film)
" (2008), "The Boys Are Back (film)
" (2009) and "Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)
".
His string arrangements can be heard on tracks from many artists including The Lightening Seeds, Blur (band)
, Del Amitri and more recently in 2008/09 Musical Direction for the Rough Trade Artistes Belle and Sebastian and Codeine Velvet Club
(2009).
Press: "...with B&S mainstay Mick Cooke's superb orchestrations conducted by Rick Wentworth, God Help The Girl has real class... MOJO ****"
Rick has a long and productive association with former Pink Floyd
founding member Roger Waters
, who asked him to co-produce, orchestrate and conduct the music for his opera, "Ça Ira". The opera was recorded in USA and Europe featuring Bryn Terfel, Paul Groves and Ying Huang. It reached No.1 in the American classical chart, and received Platinum sales in Poland.
Rick conducted the world premiere of the overture from "Ça Ira" in 2002, played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. He also arranged and conducted a collection of Roger Waters
's legendary tracks, fronted by Waters and his band. Rick has since conducted the world premier performance of the Opera in Rome followed by performances in Poland, Kiev and more recently at the Manaus Opera House in the Brazilian Rainforest of the Amazon.
Rick also orchestrated and conducted the modern opera "Guilietta e Romeo
" in 2007 for European Composer Riccardo Cocciante
, which had its premiere at the famous Arena in Verona and has subsequently toured throughout Italy.
Other successful collaborations include writing and producing songs with George Benson, Patti Austin, Grace Jones
and Paul McCartney
, who commissioned him to orchestrate and conduct a personal animated film entitled "The Light From Within" (yet to be released). Following this, McCartney asked Rick to orchestrate arrangements for his prestigious, televised appearance at the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rick recently collaborated with writer David Levin and wrote six songs for his latest musical production "People", which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009.
Press: "...it’s a cabaret of well-crafted, acidic songs about life, love and relationships – proves a jewel of its kind…Rick Wentworth, who emerges as the real star of the show... Do yourself a favour: spurn comedy madness for an hour and meet some real people in People." - Michael Coveney for whatson.com (Aug 2009)
Rick has served on the panel of judges for the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) and the Royal Television Society Awards (RTS), and is a current serving Board member of the Akram Khan Dance Company.
1999
1992
1989
1987
2009
2007
2006
2003/4
2002
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1993
1992
1991
2009
2007
2004
2009
2008
2005
2003
2002
2001
1997
1995
1989
2005
2001
2000
1996
1990
1989
1988
Rick is represented by HotHouse Music.
Composer
Rick’s work in film began with composing the score for the cult film "Withnail and IWithnail and I
Withnail and I is a British black comedy made in 1986 by HandMade Films. It was written and directed by Bruce Robinson and is based on his life in London in the late 1960s. The main plot follows two unemployed young actors, Withnail and “I” who live in a squalid flat in Camden in 1969 while...
", directed by Bruce Robinson in 1987. This was followed by Bruce Robinson's second film "How To Get Ahead In Advertising" - both films were produced by George Harrison’s company Handmade Films.
Rick’s TV credits include the BAFTA award winning "Jonathan Creek
Jonathan Creek
Jonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
" (series and specials), all four seasons of the hugely successful ITV drama "Ultimate Force
Ultimate Force
Ultimate Force is a British television drama series that was shown on ITV, which deals with the activities of the fictional Red Troop of the SAS...
" for Bentley Productions, the BAFTA award winning "Between The Lines" and "Cracker" for which Rick received a BAFTA nomination.
As well as music for Film, TV dramas and documentaries, Rick has also written music for many advertising campaigns including Nissan, Kellogs, American Express, Burger King, American Airlines, Ford and Guinness.
Conducting
In addition to conducting his own work, Rick has conducted many film scores including "Tomb Raider", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (film)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (film)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 2005 film adaptation of the 1964 book of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film was directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket and Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka...
" (2005) "Hellboy II", "Notorious B.I.G.", the Oscar nominated "Milk (film)
Milk (film)
Milk is a 2008 American biographical film on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors...
" (2008), "The Boys Are Back (film)
The Boys Are Back (film)
The Boys Are Back is a 2009 Australian/British drama film directed by Scott Hicks, produced by Greg Brenman and starring Clive Owen. Based on the book The Boys Are Back In Town by Simon Carr, the film features a score composed by Hal Lindes and a soundtrack by Sigur Rós.-Plot:Joe Warr is a British...
" (2009) and "Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)
Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 American computer-animated/live action fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, written by Linda Woolverton, and released by Walt Disney Pictures...
".
His string arrangements can be heard on tracks from many artists including The Lightening Seeds, Blur (band)
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
, Del Amitri and more recently in 2008/09 Musical Direction for the Rough Trade Artistes Belle and Sebastian and Codeine Velvet Club
Codeine Velvet Club
Codeine Velvet Club was a Scottish alternative rock band formed in 2008 by Lou Hickey and Jon Lawler. The band's debut album Codeine Velvet Club was released on 28 December 2009 in the UK and on 6 April 2010 in the US....
(2009).
Press: "...with B&S mainstay Mick Cooke's superb orchestrations conducted by Rick Wentworth, God Help The Girl has real class... MOJO ****"
Collaborations
Rick's formative work involved assisting the late English composer Sir Michael Tippet bring his opera "The Ice Break" to its premier performance at the Royal Opera House.Rick has a long and productive association with former Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
founding member Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
, who asked him to co-produce, orchestrate and conduct the music for his opera, "Ça Ira". The opera was recorded in USA and Europe featuring Bryn Terfel, Paul Groves and Ying Huang. It reached No.1 in the American classical chart, and received Platinum sales in Poland.
Rick conducted the world premiere of the overture from "Ça Ira" in 2002, played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. He also arranged and conducted a collection of Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
's legendary tracks, fronted by Waters and his band. Rick has since conducted the world premier performance of the Opera in Rome followed by performances in Poland, Kiev and more recently at the Manaus Opera House in the Brazilian Rainforest of the Amazon.
Rick also orchestrated and conducted the modern opera "Guilietta e Romeo
Giulietta e Romeo (musical)
This article is about the Italian musical. For the French musical see Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour.Giulietta e Romeo is an Italian-language musical with music by Riccardo Cocciante and lyrics by Pasquale Panella, based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet...
" in 2007 for European Composer Riccardo Cocciante
Riccardo Cocciante
Riccardo Cocciante, also known in French-speaking countries as Richard Cocciante , is an Italian singer-songwriter and actor. His oeuvre includes recordings in Italian, French, and Spanish; he has recorded some of his songs in all three languages.He was born in Saigon, French Indochina, now Ho Chi...
, which had its premiere at the famous Arena in Verona and has subsequently toured throughout Italy.
Other successful collaborations include writing and producing songs with George Benson, Patti Austin, Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, who commissioned him to orchestrate and conduct a personal animated film entitled "The Light From Within" (yet to be released). Following this, McCartney asked Rick to orchestrate arrangements for his prestigious, televised appearance at the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rick recently collaborated with writer David Levin and wrote six songs for his latest musical production "People", which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009.
Press: "...it’s a cabaret of well-crafted, acidic songs about life, love and relationships – proves a jewel of its kind…Rick Wentworth, who emerges as the real star of the show... Do yourself a favour: spurn comedy madness for an hour and meet some real people in People." - Michael Coveney for whatson.com (Aug 2009)
Rick has served on the panel of judges for the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) and the Royal Television Society Awards (RTS), and is a current serving Board member of the Akram Khan Dance Company.
Film Composer Credits
1999- Monsieur Pett
1999
- The Dybbuk
1992
- Freddie as F.R.O.7
1989
- How To Get Ahead In Advertising
1987
- Withnail and IWithnail and IWithnail and I is a British black comedy made in 1986 by HandMade Films. It was written and directed by Bruce Robinson and is based on his life in London in the late 1960s. The main plot follows two unemployed young actors, Withnail and “I” who live in a squalid flat in Camden in 1969 while...
TV Composer Credits
2010- Jonathan CreekJonathan CreekJonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
- The Judas Tree (feature length TV Special)
2009
- Jonathan CreekJonathan CreekJonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
- The Grinning Man (feature length TV Special)
2007
- Robbie The Reindeer in Close Encounters Of The Herd Kind (Comic Relief)
2006
- Ultimate Force (4 Seasons, 21 Episodes from 2002 - 2006)
- The Good Housekeeping Guide
- Dalziel and Pascoe (5 feature length episodes from 2004 - 2006)
2003/4
- Jonathan CreekJonathan CreekJonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
(12 hour episodes)
2002
- D.I.Y. Hard
- Paradise Heights (6 episodes)
- Little Ghosts (48 episodes)
2000
- The Last Polar Bears
- Blind Ambition
1999
- The Alchemists (6 hour episodes)
1998
- Silent WitnessSilent WitnessSilent Witness is a BBC crime thriller series focusing on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes. First broadcast in February 1996, the series is still airing to the present day, with a fifteenth series expected to air in January 2012. The series was...
(6 hour episodes)
1997
- Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America (12 Episodes)
- Cracker - White Ghost (Feature Length TV Special)
1996
- Cracker (2 Seasons from 1995-1996)
- The Moonstone
- The Writing On The Wall (4 Feature Length Episodes)
1995
- Rules of Engagement
1993
- Between The Lines (13 hour episodes)
1992
- Sam Saturday (6 hour episodes)
1991
- Sleepers (4 hour episodes)
- White Goods (4 hour episodes)
- Work!
Musical/Opera Credits
2010- Bet Your Bottom Dollar
2009
- People
2007
- Giulietta e RomeoGiulietta e Romeo (musical)This article is about the Italian musical. For the French musical see Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour.Giulietta e Romeo is an Italian-language musical with music by Riccardo Cocciante and lyrics by Pasquale Panella, based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet...
2004
Conductor/Musical Director Credits
2010- Alice In Wonderland
2009
- The Boys Are BackThe Boys Are Back (film)The Boys Are Back is a 2009 Australian/British drama film directed by Scott Hicks, produced by Greg Brenman and starring Clive Owen. Based on the book The Boys Are Back In Town by Simon Carr, the film features a score composed by Hal Lindes and a soundtrack by Sigur Rós.-Plot:Joe Warr is a British...
- Terminator SalvationTerminator SalvationTerminator Salvation is a 2009 American science fiction action film directed by McG and starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington. The fourth installment in the Terminator series, the film is set in 2018 and focuses on the war between Skynet and humanity, with the human Resistance fighting...
- Notorious
- Monsieur Pett
2008
- Milk (film)Milk (film)Milk is a 2008 American biographical film on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors...
- The Duchess
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army
- Journal of a Contract Killer
2005
- Corpse BrideCorpse BrideCorpse Bride, often promoted as Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, is a 2005 stop-motion-animated fantasy musical film directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton. It is set in a fictional Victorian era village in Europe. Johnny Depp led an all-star cast as the voice of Victor, while Helena Bonham Carter ...
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2003
- Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
- Ned Kelly
2002
- The Time Machine
2001
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
1997
- Dobermann
1995
- Restoration
1989
- How To Get Ahead In Advertising
Orchestrator/Arranger Credits
2007- Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
2005
- Goal!
2001
- Rat Race
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
2000
- Love's Labours Lost
1996
- All Dogs Go To Heaven 2
1990
- Die Hard 2Die Hard 2Die Hard 2 is a 1990 action film and the second in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by Renny Harlin, and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane...
1989
- How To Get Ahead In Advertising
1988
- The Adventures of Baron Münchausen