Christopher Gunning – Discography and Shop

Best Selling CDs

Symphonies 2, 10 and 12

Symphonies 2, 10 and 12 – 3 new symphonies; and this disk marks a departure for Christopher Gunning’s recordings. It is on the Signum label, and the music is conducted by Kenneth Woods, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and produced by Christopher Gunning.

Violin and Cello Concertos

Although I have often thought of writing a Violin Concerto, it was 2011 when I first felt the time was right. Then in 2012 I climbed the beautiful Sugarloaf Mountain near Abergavenny full of ideas for the piece; it would be predominantly lyrical and melodic but also quite florid, with the violin ducking and weaving, rather like the insects and birds of the Welsh hills and valleys. The Cello Concerto is quite different. Although composed hard on the heels of the Violin Concerto, it is generally darker though equally expressive.

Sonata for Pianoforte.  Trio for Violin, Cello & Piano.

Although a great deal of my concert music has been orchestral, I have long wanted to write something for the solo piano. It has been my own instrument since, as a boy of five, I first became interested in music, and although hopelessly out of practice now, I still turn to the piano to try things out or if I just need to play. My Piano Trio was commissioned by the London Piano Trio and I worked on it during the early part of 2014. It takes the form of four contrasting character pieces which are all rather personal, each movement strongly influenced by scenes from my life.

Symphony no 6. Night Voyage Symphony no 7.

Symphonies 6 and 7 were composed during 2010 and 2011 respectively; each is a little over 20 minutes long and in a single span with several contrasting subsections. Separating these on the CD is “Night Voyage,” a shorter orchestral piece. In these performances I am once again conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom I worked on Symphonies 3, 4 and 5.

Symphony no 5 and String Quartet no 1.

Symphony no 5 was composed during 2009 and is Christopher’s most ambitious to date. Unlike numbers 1,3,4, 6 and 7, which are continuous, it is in four extended movements. The String Quartet was composed in 1999, and revised in 2006. Each of the four movements is based on on a three note motif, C-D-G, with it’s four possible transpositions.

Skylines

A CD containing the theme from “Poirot” and other Gunning instrumentals now available for purchase on this web site.

Poirot

Christopher Gunning composed the iconic theme music for “Agatha Christie’s Poirot” and the incidental music for series 1, and 3-9.

Concertos for Guitar, Clarinet and Flute

Christopher Gunning worked closely with all three soloists, whom he counts as friends. Throughout the CD, the soloists are complimented by superb playing by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christopher Gunning..

Other music available to purchase online by Christopher Gunning

Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 | Night Voyage

Following the celebrated releases of Gunning’s Symphonies Nos. 2, 10 & 12 in 2019 and his concertos for Violin and Cello with the piece ‘Birdflight’ in 2020, Signum presents the recording of Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 as well as his piece ‘Night Voyage’, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Film and Television Music of Christopher Gunning

The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ruman Gamba play Christopher Gunning’s film and TV music, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot, La Vie en Rose, Pollyanna, When the Whales Came, Cold Lazarus, Firelight, Lighthouse Hill, and Rebecca. This is the 2nd disk in an ongoing series of recordings of CG’s music on the CHANDOS label.

“La Mome” aka “La Vie En Rose”

Soundtrack from the film starring Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf. The album contains some of Piaf’s most famous songs, and 7 extracts from Christopher Gunning’s award winning score.

Symphony 3, Symphony 4, Concerto for Oboe and String Orchestra

Symphony no 3 was composed in 2005, during a very turbulent year for the composer. Symphony no 4, composed in 2007, is more direct and tonal – an expression of triumph over adversity. The Oboe Concerto was composed as a Christmas present for Christopher’s daughter Verity, who performs it here with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
This is the first disc of an ongoing series of music by Christopher Gunning on the CHANDOS label.

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Symphony no. 1, and Storm!

Olga Dudnik (piano) with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer.
Albany Troy686

Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Music from the award-winning series conducted by Christopher Gunning.
Virgin VT CD8

Firelight

The original sound track conducted by Christopher Gunning.
Silva Screen Film CD 198

When the Whales Came

The original soundtrack conducted by Christopher Gunning.
Silva Screen Film CD 049.

Karaoke and Cold Lazarus

The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christopher Gunning.
Silva Screen Film CD 181

  Rosemary & Thyme

Composed and conducted by Christopher Gunning. Features John Williams (guitar).
Sanctuary Pure Classics CD PCACD002

The Big Battalions

The original soundtrack conducted by Christopher Gunning.
Air Edel AHL CD6

The Lobster

‘Thoughts of a crustacean upon entering a trap’. Words by Nick Darke Narrated by Nicole Tibbels . The Mephisto Ensemble.
Meridian CDE 84498

Wild Africa

The original soundtrack of the BBC TV series composed and conducted by Christopher Gunning.
BBC Worldwide WMSF 6049-2

  Yorkshire Glory

A symphonic portrait of Yorkshire. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley.
Dale DL2 CD

  SPRING A Collection of Seasonal Classics

Track: “Spring Morning” from Yorkshire Glory.
CD CDRSN3068

AUTUMN: A Collection of Seasonal Classics.

Track: “Autumn Festival” from Yorkshire Glory.
CD CDRSN3074

SUMMER: A Collection of Seasonal Classics.

Track: “Summer Afternoon” from Yorkshire Glory.
CD CDRSN3069

Sonata “Arpeggione” D821

(Franz Schubert) . Orchestration by Christopher Gunning and John Williams . John Williams (guitar) with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Sony Classical SK 63385

John Williams plays the Movies.

Orchestrations by Christopher Gunning.
Sony Classical SK63385

Mel Torme “The London Sessions”

Arrangements and musical direction by Christopher Gunning
Sandstone – SAN 5005

One Year

Colin Blunstone. Arrangements by Christopher Gunning, including “Say you don’t mind” and “Misty Roses.”
Epic 491694

Floresta Canto

Phil Woods/the Chris Gunning Orchestra.
BMG Entertainment

Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra

“On Hungerford Bridge.” John Harle with the Academy of St Martin’s in the Fields conducted by the composer