14 Facts About Geoffrey Burgon

Geoffrey Alan Burgon was an English composer best known for his television and film scores.

Geoffrey Burgon won BAFTAs for his themes for the remake of The Forsyte Saga and Longitude.

Geoffrey Burgon was born in Hambledon, Hampshire, in 1941, son of Alan Wybert Geoffrey Burgon and Ada Vera, nee Isom.

Geoffrey Burgon taught himself the trumpet in order to join a jazz band at school.

Geoffrey Burgon entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with the intention of becoming a professional trumpet player.

Geoffrey Burgon initially supported himself and his family as a freelance jazz trumpeter.

Geoffrey Burgon lived through a lengthy period of poverty before critical success eventually brought financial reward.

Geoffrey Burgon had considerable success writing for film and television and twice received both BAFTA and Ivor Novello Awards.

Geoffrey Burgon's style was essentially conservative, influenced by Benjamin Britten and medieval music rather than modern styles.

Geoffrey Burgon's music was therefore not favoured by music critics and was sometimes labelled as commercial, but nevertheless it was widely appreciated.

Geoffrey Burgon saw his work in film and television as subsidising his passion for, and ability to devote time to what he called his "serious work" for concert.

Geoffrey Burgon married Janice Elizabeth Garwood in 1963 and had a son, Matthew and a daughter, Hannah.

Geoffrey Burgon was a keen cricketer and wrote detective novels in his spare time.

Geoffrey Burgon died on 21 September 2010 after a short illness.