After the BBC created an uninstrumented version of The Snowman to air on Christmas radio, The Snowman’s composer has condemned it.
Howard Blake claimed he was going to withdraw his consent for the remake of the classic movie after learning that Jonathan Manners, the broadcaster, had hired him to recreate the sounds of instruments using a choir. This technique is known as “vocalise”.
He believes that the beloved tale of the boy who created a snowman and it comes to life, can only be told with instrumental accompaniment.
Howard Blake stated that he had threatened to withdraw permission to a remake. He was told by the broadcaster Jonathan Manners that Manners used a choir to reproduce the sounds of instruments, which is the technique called ‘vocalise.
The Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying: “This lad!” [Mr Manners]He is trying to establish himself as a musician, but I told him that what you did to my music was a desecration, and it is totally vile .”’.
According to Mr Blake, he had been approached originally by Mr Manners in August last year. Manners told him that he would like to exchange instruments for “vocalise” after listening to a Choir sing Walking in the Air in St Albans Cathedral.
Initial refusal by the composer was not accepted, but the composer relented after being told that the royals had expressed an interest in the new arrangement.
Jonathan said to me that Jonathan refused because it was too difficult. He had already spoken with Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth about the matter. How could Jonathan refuse?’.
Raging, he added: ‘They might be re-imagining my work at Christmas… but they still aren’t actually working with me – it will be producer Jonathan Manners who will be arranging The Snowman in vocalise. He will take credit, and not I for organizing it.
Radio 3 at 7.30pm Christmas Eve and Radio 4 at 1:30pm Christmas Day will host the show. Stephen Fry will provide narration.
He was the son of working-class parents from Brighton. By age six, he had learned to play and read music.
When he turned 18, he received an award from The Royal College of Music. He worked as a session guitarist before he earned his break.
According to the 82-year old, this beloved story about a boy making a snowman that comes to life cannot be told properly without an instrumental accompaniment
Howard was then fortunate to meet John Coates who was working on an animated film.
The Snowman was based upon Raymond Briggs children’s illustration book. However, it needed music to go with it.
Many people think that Aled Jones sang the movie’s theme song Walking in the Air. However, Peter Auty was the one who recorded it. He is a twelve-year-old boy from St Paul’s Cathedral.
Howard decided to record the song again just five years after it was first used by a toy manufacturer for a television commercial.
He likes to share with friends the story about a trip he took to the airport in a taxi, back when Walking in the Air was the top Christmas song.
He said, “The taxi radio played The Snowman.” I requested the driver to stop playing it. “Listen, Mate, it’s the greatest tune that you will ever hear.” It’s worth taking a moment to listen. It’s possible to learn something about great music.
“So, I just sat down and spoke rather proudly. I actually wrote the song. The driver looked at him and responded, “Oh yeah!” He said that he was Father Christmas.
BBC spokesperson said that the BBC Singers had been honored to be able to join Howard Blake in a project for our Christmas line-up.