Francis Shaw's 2 Piano Concertos are now available from Lyrita Records. Martin Jones: piano. The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Francis Shaw.

The concertos can be purchased here.

Francis Shaw is based in London. A graduate of the London College of Music, he later studied compositionwith Goffredo Petrassi in Rome, Lennox Berkeley in London and Alexander Goehr atSouthampton University. 

Yehudi Menuhin commissioned Francis’s DIVERTIMENTO FOR STRINGS, first performed at the Windsor Festival in 1971, which started his professional composing life.

His concert music includes 2 operas for children: The SELFISH GIANT (1st. prize - Caerphilly International Opera competition, 1971. pub. Chester Music) & THE TIN KNIGHT. 4 Concertos: 2 for piano & orchestra, a Harpsichord concertino and a Viola concerto: Solo Piano music, Chamber & Choral music, several song cycles and music for children.

Orchestral arrangements include music by CHAPLIN, VANGELIS, The BEATLES (Sgt. Pepper. pub. Novello) & the Turkish songwriter ZULFU LIVANELI. Piano duet arrangements of light piano solos by BILLY MAYERL, ZEZ CONFREY, JAMES SCOTT and others (pub. Novello).  

His music for film includes THE COUNTRY GIRLS (1983): A ROOM WITH A VIEW (additional music & orchestrations,1985):  A NIGHTINGALE SANG (1989): VENDETTA (1994): EVIL [Ondskan] (2004, Ivor Novello award for Best Film score 2006).

TV music includes the BBC series IRELAND-A TELEVISION HISTORY (1980), SHACKLETON (1982), JAMAICA INN (1983), several Theatre Night TV productions of classic novels and plays including CRIME & PUNISHMENT (1978): THE MASTER BUILDER (1987) and A DINNER OF HERBS (1988). He has composed more than 80 documentary & factual TV scores. 

A complete list of his Film & TV music can be found on the IMDB website.

In 2006 his anthem for the Queen’s 80th birthday, BIRTHDAY PRAYER, was performed in her presence at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Francis has composed Production Library music for EMI (KPM), de Wolfe Music & The Scoring House (West One Music).

He has taught composition at the London College of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, National Film & Television School (HOD music), Bristol & Kingston universities, and the Royal Collrge of Music. He has run seminar workshops in film music composition at the Academy for Performing Arts (Hong Kong), the Australian Film School (Sydney), the Norwegian Film School (Lillehammer) and FAS Industry Training (Dublin). He is a founder member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) and was a Composer Director of PRS, 2004 - 2007. In 2004 he visited Afghanistan to assess the needs of the Music Department in Kabul University, teaching and negotiating the loan of a piano from the British Embassy.

A Room with a View, 1986

Soundtrack album of the Merchant Ivory film. Composer: Richard Robbins, orchestrated by Francis Shaw & Barrie Guard. RTE Orchestra, Dublin. UP Art 86003CD

The Music of Charlie Chaplin, 1989

Arranged for orchestra. Munich SO, conducted by Francis Shaw. Pulse Records PLS CD 275. Orchestral scores & parts for hire from Francis Shaw. Digital download of the album available.

Merlin of the Crystal Cave, 1991

Soundtrack album of the BBC TV series. Munich Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Francis Shaw. SilvaScreen records. Digital download of the album available.

Flowering Passions, 1991

Soundtrack album of the Channel 4 series. SilvaScreen Records film CD 116

Held in Trust. 1994

Soundtrack album of the TV series celebrating the centenary of the National Trust. Moscow Festival Orchestra, conducted by Francis Shaw . SilvaScreen records 1995. Digital download of the album available.

Vendetta. 1995

Soundtrack album of the Swedish film. Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Francis Shaw. Stockholm Records (STOCD 1520/527 271-2) Digital download of the album available.

New Age Rhapsody 1998

 Orchestrations of Zulfu Livaneli’s songs. London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Francis Shaw. IDA Muzik Orchestral scores & parts for hire from Francis Shaw. Digital download of the album available.

Orchestral scores & parts for hire.

Bright Phoenix. 1998

Choral music recorded by the choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, directed by Jonathan Rees-Williams, Roger Judd, organ. Mall Records. Album for sale.

To be issued in 2015:-

Piano Concertos nos. 1 & 2. Martin Jones, piano

Slovak National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Francis Shaw

Orchestral scores & parts for hire from Francis Shaw.

A Secret Creativity

Song cycle for mezzo soprano & piano. Sally Bradshaw, mezzo- soprano, Francis Shaw piano. Poems by John White.

era competition, 1971. pub. Chester Music) & THE TIN KNIGHT. 4 Concertos: 2 for piano & orchestra, a Harpsichord concertino and a Viola concerto: Solo Piano music, Chamber & Choral music, several song cycles and music for children.

Orchestral arrangements include music by CHAPLIN, VANGELIS, The BEATLES (Sgt. Pepper. pub. Novello) & the Turkish songwriter ZULFU LIVANELI. Piano duet arrangements of light piano solos by BILLY MAYERL, ZEZ CONFREY, JAMES SCOTT and others (pub. Novello).  

His music for film includes THE COUNTRY GIRLS (1983): A ROOM WITH A VIEW (additional music & orchestrations,1985):  A NIGHTINGALE SANG (1989): VENDETTA (1994): EVIL [Ondskan] (2004, Ivor Novello award for Best Film score 2006).

TV music includes the BBC series IRELAND-A TELEVISION HISTORY (1980), SHACKLETON (1982), JAMAICA INN (1983), several Theatre Night TV productions of classic novels and plays including CRIME & PUNISHMENT (1978): THE MASTER BUILDER (1987) and A DINNER OF HERBS (1988). He has composed more than 80 documentary & factual TV scores. 

A complete list of his Film & TV music can be found on the IMDB website.

In 2006 his anthem for the Queen’s 80th birthday, BIRTHDAY PRAYER, was performed in her presence at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Francis has composed Production Library music for EMI (KPM), de Wolfe Music & The Scoring House (West One Music).

Film & TV themes

JAMAICA INN Titles music from the HTV film(excerpt) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Titles music for the BBC TV historical Drama series MERLIN of the CRYSTAL CAVE (excerpt) Graunke Orchestra, Munich

3000 MILE GARDEN Titles music for the Channel 4 gardening seriesMoscow Film Orchestra.

3000 MILE GARDEN Piano/strings cue. Moscow Film Orchestra

Titles for the Channel 4 TV series of Noel Coward short stories (excerpt)

VENDETTA: Sicilian tune from Titles music. Moscow Film Orchestra.

EVIL (Ondskan): Titles for the Oscar nominated film (excerpt). Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra

THE MONEY PROGRAMME: Titles music for the BBC TV financial series