2.15 - Paul Leonard-Morgan
Award-winning composer Paul Leonard-Morgan has written music for the concert hall, the theater, public events, worked with pop and rock bands, and composed for the screen, both large and small. His experience and range are the epitome of the skill, versatility, and appeal of a 21st century composer—in a world where genres are less and less important, he’s a conservatory trained composer with a punk rock heart.
Leonard-Morgan is one of the most notable contemporary soundtrack composers, in demand for his seamless use of the orchestra with electronics. Writing music for a variety of visual media, his credits include his collaborations with Philip Glass for series The Green Veil, Tales from the Loop, and The Pigeon Tunnel; the feature films Limitless, Best Sellers, Dredd, and The Tomorrow Man; Errol Morris’ series Wormwood and the documentary American Dharma; and the video game Cyberpunk 2077. He has garnered a BAFTA award for his first film score, Reflections Upon the Origin of the Pineapple, and Emmy, Ivor Novello, and World Soundtrack Award nominations.
His expertise extends to the recording studio, where has worked with such leading artists as Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol, No Doubt, and Isobel Campbell.
Scottish by birth and upbringing, Leonard-Morgan’s classical works are steeped in the musical and poetic traditions of his home. With a mother who was a music teacher, Leonard-Morgan learned numerous instruments as a child, and went on to earn a degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
His composing for the stage includes a commission from the National Theatre to score new adaptations of Rona Munro’s history plays James I, II & IV, which opened at the Edinburgh International Festival.
His concert music includes the Celtic Concerto for violin, harp, soprano, whistles, and pipes, which was commissioned for the Inter-Celtic Festival in Lorient. A suite from his original score for the BBCSSO’s A History of Scotland toured Scotland and was performed at Proms in The Park.
His pieces for commemorative events include “Glory of Pursuit,” the official anthem of the US Olympic Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games, and the orchestral anthem for the Queen’s Baton Relay of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Currently, Leonard-Morgan is developing new works, including a song cycle for L'Orchestre National de Bretagne, for ensemble and a vocalist singing poems by Scots language poet Lennie, and is preparing to release an album of new Etudes for Piano and Cello, featuring cellist and interdisciplinary artist Suuvi.
