Edward Williams – Music for Life on Earth
Posted on August 21, 2007 by clifton
"Life on Earth was a groundbreaking television natural history series made by the BBC in association with Warner Bros. and Reiner Moritz Productions. It was transmitted in the UK from 16 January 1979. I chanced upon this in a local thrift shop for a golden English pound and was intrigued by the lack of information adorning the cover. For such a famous documentary series I was surprised that the record has no label and for all intents and purposes looks like an in-house copy that was probably circulated around the BBC during the year of production.
What surprised me further still was how beautiful the music was that resided in these grooves and how there seems to be no information about a vinyl release of any kind despite the usual internet searching. There's a plaintive John Cameron/Basil Kirchin-esque quality to the compositions that Jonny Trunk would approve of."
Listen to a couple tracks: 1, 2.
Filed under: Library, Soundtracks
13 Comments to “Edward Williams – Music for Life on Earth”
just read the book version of Life on Earth and it is also amazing. Assuming this is the David Attenborough series…. I don’t really know who Reiner Moritz is…
amazingly quiet pressing! beautiful music…
innit-2-winnit
lovin-it-like-that
http://waxidermy.com/2006/06/06/j-matthews-electronic-music/
“Life on Earth” was the finest program that I ever saw on television. I purchased several copies of the complete set on video years ago and gave many as gifts. Incomparable. In addition to being an educational masterpiece, its musical score can stand on its own as a stunningly beautiful work of art. I’ve always wondered, “Who is this masterful composer, Edward Williams?” I, too, would like to purchase this soundtrack. If anyone has a copy to sell, please contact me through my website http://www.jonwebermusic.com – Thank you.
Would also love to find a copy. Ever since seeing the series I assumed there must be a soundtrack, but this is the first hint I’ve ever seen of one.
If anyone has any leads on this, http://www.lastvisibledog.com
I knew Edward Williams during the 70s. AFAIK he is still alive, and I am in contact with his nephew. Will attempt to find a source for these recordings… You will find my e-mail address at http://www.zorchmusic.com/hscarr
Thanks for that, I’ve also been looking for this for yonks. Always remember the music being great.
I was expecting the cover of the LP to be the same as the old book of series. If anybody finds any copies of this I’d love one.
I beleive that he still lives in or around Bristol, where he runs runs Elektrodome with his wife. I met him in the early 1970s whilst studying electronic music.
Thanks to you (and to my boyfriend who bought the album as a surprise for me) and to Jonny Trunk, I now own this on vinyl. I already own every DVD made by David Attenborough and thoroughly enjoy listening to the music. This is a fantastic album and definitely worth buying. Thank you for sharing it.
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Lovely… Thanks!