Credits Archive | Tom Smail

The coming of the Nevern Light

(2025)

A piece for solo organ, commissioned by Nevern Church for the Nevern Organ Festival

Morias

(2023)

An ode to the Peloponnese scored for ten musicians

Blue Electric

(2020)

Libretto: Alba Arikha

Based on Alba Arikha's memoir, 'Major/Minor'
Completed opera premièred at the Playground Theatre in October 2020
Directed by Orpha Phelan

2085: a handful of survivors. The climate crisis and a love letter to the beauty and the power of cinema. With Nick Nolte, Charlotte Rampling, Alba Rohrwacher and Stellan Skarsgård. Selected for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.

Gauguin – a dangerous life

(2019)

Director: Patricia Wheatley

Timed to coincide with the exhibition of Gauguin's portraits at the National Gallery. Cinema release October 2019, BBC broadcast December 2019.

Discovery Education

(2018)

Producer: Susie Staples

Music for several Discovery Education programmes.

The Shepherd’s Song

(2018)

For my mother at Christmas. Sung by Arianna and me (x2)
Words: Edmund Bolton

Commercials Showreel

(2017)

Dettol Surface Cleaner, Oil of Olay, Head and Shoulders, Supradyn, Solpadeine, Heinz.

The Rose

(2017)

Short promotional film by jewellery designer Eliane Fattal: the making of The Rose.

Hokusai

(2017)

Director: Patricia Wheatley

Japan's greatest artist.
British Museum and NHK co-production.
Cinema release June 2017, BBC broadcast July 2017.

To a child dancing in the wind

(2017)

For my stepdaughter on her 15th birthday
Sung by Arianna (the birthday girl)
Words: William Butler Yeats

Thro’ midnight streets

(2017)

SATB, clarinet, viola, cello and piano
Words: William Blake ('London')
Published by Universal Edition

Commercials: recent close calls

(2017)

Includes Debenham's, Persil and NatWest.
A track derived from the Persil music ('Melting') is available to buy on Audio Network.

Voiceover Showreel

(2017)

Commercial montage

Forgotten Voices of the Great War

(2016)

Song Cycle for soprano, tenor, baritone, cello & piano (12 songs)

Words from the book by Max Arthur

Trust your heart

(2016)

For my wife on her birthday. Sung by Arianna and me
Words: E.E. Cummings

The hazard of the die

(2016)

For cello and piano
Published by Universal Edition

The Unseen

(2015)

For flute, horn and bassoon

Tom Smail on Audio Network

(2015)

The premier online catalogue of original music for use in films, television, advertising and new media industries. (Or just for personal pleasure.)

Eccentria

(2014)

A Mustique Tale

Lord Glenconner and the island of Mustique.

Beckett Trilogy

(2014)

Royal Court production, starring Lisa Dwan, of Samuel Beckett's Not I, Footfalls and Rockaby

A Winter’s Tale

(2014)

SSA and piano
Words: Dylan Thomas

Charade

(2014)

For violin and piano
Published by Universal Edition

Secrecy

(2014)

Libretto: Rupert Thomson

Based on the novel by Rupert Thomson
Work in progress

A Scattering

(2013)

Music for viola and cello to accompany Christopher Reid's award-winning lyrical narrative.
Part of a Reid double bill at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, starring Robert Bathurst.

Soon

(2013)

Libretto: Alba Arikha

Chamber Opera

Somewhere Else

(2013)

For clarinet, violin and double bass
Published by Universal Edition

Discobolus

British Museum (2012)

The Discus Thrower

British Museum film about the famous discus thrower: a marble copy of the lost bronze original of the fifth century BC.

Soliloquy for Strings

(2012)

What Is the Word

(2012)

A setting of Samuel Beckett's last poem scored for soprano, mezzo, cello and narrator

Published by Universal Edition

Instructions To Four Walls

(2012)

A setting of W.S. Merwin's poem, scored for two sopranos, two contraltos, harp and glass harp

As shade to shadow

(2012)

For viola and cello
Published by Universal Edition

Care-charmer Sleep

(2012)

SATB unaccompanied

Words: Samuel Daniel
Published by Universal Edition

In the bleak midwinter

(2011)

SSAATTBB unaccompanied

Words: Christina Rossetti
Published by Universal Edition

Quo vadis?

(2011)

For oboe, clarinet and bass clarinet
Published by Universal Edition

How to start a revolution

genesharpfilm.com (2011)

Producer/Director: Ruaridh Arrow

The story of the power of people to change their world, the modern revolution and the man behind it all: Gene Sharp, the world's leading expert on non-violent revolutions.

Symphony No.1

(2011)

The Heart-in-Waiting

(2010)

SSATB unaccompanied
Words: Kevin Crossley-Holland

Music in the Marble

(2010)

Symphonic work in seven movements, inspired by seven sculptures

Jack and the Beanstalk

English Touring Opera (2009)

Dettol cold and flu ball

Euro RSCG (2009)

Dettol spray

Euro RSCG (2009)

Amazon, Super River

BBC (The Natural World) (2009)

Producer: Emma Rigney

Exploring the greatest river on earth. Stunning photography and aerial pictures and a comprehensive look at the Amazon’s incredible inhabitants and fascinating history.

String Quartet No.1

(2009)

'For Alba'
Published by Universal Edition

Tom Smail on emipm

(2009)

Production music for media.
Dance tracks from 'Taboo' (see entertainment).

Jack and the Beanstalk

(2009)

For large ensemble and narrator
Words: Emma House
Narrator: Michael Gambon

Sheep like stones

Advent Carol (2008)

SATB unaccompanied
Words: Jenny Overton

Benedictus Benedicat

Commissioned by David Benedictus for his birthday (for violin, trombone and piano) (2008)

Michaela’s Zoo Babies

Channel 5 (RDF/IWC) (2008)

Director: Susie Staples

Michaela Strachan guides us through the highs and lows of the new born in zoos and animal parks across the country.

Red Riding Hood

English Touring Opera (2008)

Dettol ‘raw snacks’

Euro RSCG (2008)

The Happy Hypocrite

(2008)

A Musical Play based on the story by Max Beerbohm

The Tale of Sly Ginger

(2008)

For large ensemble and narrator
Words: Emma House
Narrator: Tom Smail

Dettol surface cleaner

Euro RSCG (2007)

Daphne

BBC Drama (2007)

Director: Clare Beavan

Drama exploring the secret love life of Daphne du Maurier, based on personal letters and biographies. Unrequited passion and forbidden desire lead to a life-changing affair with an irreverent actress.

Look thy last on all things lovely

For 3 baritones, clarinet, horn, cello and piano (2007)

For my mother
Words: Walter de la Mare

Never doubt I love

(2007)

SATB, violin, viola, cello
Words: William Shakespeare

The whale that swam to London

Channel 4 (Firefly) (2006)

Director: Toby MacDonald

The tale of the whale that got lost and swam up the Thames. Despite great efforts to save her, she died, but in doing so revealed much to science.

Disappearing Britain: Tea

Channel 5 (Lion TV) (2006)

Director: Richard Shaw

Elephants can remember

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2006)

Director: Enyd Williams

Agatha Christie.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell

Dumb Witness

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2006)

Words: Enyd Williams

Daniel Libeskind – the making of an architect

BBC (Lion TV) (2006)

Director: Chris Swann

The story of the architect of the Jewish Museum in Berlin who rose to prominence when he became the master planner of the rebuilding of Ground Zero.

K9 cops

Discovery Channel (Anglia) (2005)

Director: Susie Staples

The riddle of Einstein’s brain

Channel 4 (Icon Films) (2005)

Director: Tom Cholmondeley

Two scientists set out to find the remnants of Einstein's brain. Does genius reside in human tissue, or is it something more mysterious and incorporeal?

The Beatle Diaries

Eagle Media (2005)

Director: Alan Ravenscroft

From Liverpool to San Francisco: the story of The Beatles from 1963 to 1969.

The mysterious affair at Styles

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2005)

Director: Enyd Williams

Tread lightly

For mezzo, cello and piano (2005)

Words: Oscar Wilde

And it came to pass…

BBC Radio 4 (Christmas Day) (2005)

Narration: Timothy West

The Christmas Story told in music and the words of the Gospels.

Red Riding Hood & Sleeping Beauty

Sanctuary Classics (2005)

Words: Emma House

Narration: Harry Enfield

For small orchestra and narrator.

King of the dump

Children's Opera (2005)

Libretto: Juliet Ace

World Class Trains

Discovery Channel (Eagle Media) (2004)

Director: Alan Ravenscroft

On board some of the world’s most luxurious locomotives in some of the world’s most exotic locations.

The Kings and Queens of England

UK History (Eagle Media) (2004)

Producer: Rachael Griffiths

The enthralling story of the English Crown, from the dark days of the Anglo-Saxons to the House of Windsor.

Troy: myth or reality?

Eagle Media (2004)

Producer: Steve Gillham

Blenheim

History Channel (Eagle Media) (2004)

Producer: Holly Elson

Voices from another room

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2004)

Director: Peter Kavanagh

The moving and the still

BBC Radio 3 Drama (2004)

Director: Peter Kavanagh

The adventure of the Christmas pudding

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2004)

Director: Enyd Williams

For piano and horn

(2004)

Adagio for violin, recorder, horn and piano

(2004)

Wind Quintet No.2

(2004)

One, two, buckle my shoe

BBC Radio 4 Drama (2004)

Director: Enyd Williams

Agatha Christie.
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.

The mysterious hanging coffins of China

Discovery Channel (Bang Productions) (2003)

Director: Toby Macdonald

Unravelling the legend of the extinct Bo people and their extraordinary legacy: coffins clinging perilously to cliffs.
Winner: Best Documentary, Asian TV Awards 2004.

Women at war

History Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Alan Ravenscroft

Under siege

Discovery Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Holly Elson

Europe’s secret armies

Discovery Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Bob Franklin

Killer Tanks: fighting the iron fist

History Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Audrey Healy

The world’s best-known tanks in all their iron-clad glory.

Napoleon’s Peninsular Campaign

History Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Audrey Healy

The real story of ‘Sharpe’s War’: a defining moment of the 19th century.

Death in their hands

Discovery Channel (Eagle Media) (2003)

Producer: Gavin Bott

The reality of small arms combat and the development of weapons such as machine guns and flame throwers.

The Barn

Firstlight Pictures (2003)

Director: Ruaridh Webster

Surreal dark humour: the tale of two brothers locked in a barn by a pair of ruthless gangsters. Fantasies, hallucinations and a sheep...
Winner: Raindance Award 2004.

Diving into history (3 programmes)

BBC Radio 4 (Loftus Productions) (2003)

Director: Tim Malyon

Sluk – wild in your garden

BBC (2003)

Director: Susie Staples

When days are long in May

For baritone and piano (2003)

Words: Jaufré Rudel (translation: Frederick Goldin)

Taboo

Carlton (Eagle Media) (2003)

Director: Holly Elson

Entertaining and illuminating factual series on sexual taboos. Everything you can imagine and more...

The Canticle of the Sun

SATB unaccompanied. Premiered by the choir of St. Michael's, Cornhill (2002)

Words: St. Francis of Assisi, translated by Adrian House

The Winning Team

(2002)

Library Album (music for sport).
One track by Tom Smail.

Ghost Rig

KCD Films (2002)

Director: Julian Kean

Horror: a group of young environmental activists boards an abandoned oil rig, but the rig is not as empty as they first thought... A confrontation with evil ensues and a battle for survival.

Wind Quintet No.1

Commissioned for the Cerne Abbas Festival (2002)

Merciless Pursuit

(2002)

Library Music for orchestra

The Swarm

(2002)

Library Music for string quartet

Audio Network

No more be done

(2002)

Library Music for string quartet

Audio Network

Sleeping Beauty

(2002)

For large ensemble and narrator
Words: Emma House
Narrator: Harry Enfield

Ominous

(2002)

Library Music for string quartet

Audio Network

Mervyn

Channel 4 (Animus Films) (2002)

Director: Katy Milner

Animation: young Mervyn’s imaginary world of spies and secret agents becomes real when his mother’s prize-winning cat, Maximus, is stolen.

The Villagers’ Carol

SATB unaccompanied (2001)

Words: Kenneth Grahame

The new face of leprosy

BBC World Service Trust (2001)

Director: Jenny Barraclough

CNN Traveller

Tony Orchudesh (CNN) (2001)

Director: Amanda Maso

Film Moi

Studio Channel (Sci-Fi) (2001)

Director: Tor McLaren

Fatal Production

Studio Channel (Robot) (2001)

Director: Tor McLaren

Flagship ID

Studio Channel (Sci-Fi) (2001)

Director: Rob Kelly

Writer’s Block

Studio Channel (Sci-Fi) (2001)

Director: Rob Kelly

Bob the Builder Anthem

(2001)

An anthem for the fabled builder that sadly didn't make it onto the album.

Nickitivity

Nickelodeon (2001)

A song for a Nickelodeon programme that didn’t get made.

Carry her over the water

(2001)

SATB unaccompanied
Words: W.H. Auden

Red Riding Hood

(2001)

For large ensemble and narrator
Words: Emma House
Narrator: Harry Enfield

Penguins – cool bird in a hot spot

BBC (Wildlife on One) (2001)

Producer: Cluny South

An uplifting look at the unlikely inhabitants of Boulders Beach, Cape Town. These delightful birds have swapped their traditional island home for a life in the city.

This endris night

SATB unaccompanied (2000)

Words: English 15th century

Eat dirt

Channel 4 (RDF) (2000)

Director: Alison Turner

Flower Power

BBC (12 five-minute shorts) (2000)

Producer: Emma Rigney

Nature’s Fury

BBC (10 five-minute shorts) (2000)

Producer: Emma Rigney

Sharpstone Hall

Discovery Channel (Zenith) (2000)

Director: Chris Godfrey

All the right moves

BBC (2000)

Director: Susie Staples

The things we do for love

Meridian (Zenith) (2000)

Director: Chris Godfrey

Glimpse

Sci-Fi Channel (2000)

Director: Mark Staufer

Anime Interstitials

Sci-Fi Channel (2000)

Director: Mark Staufer

Shrink

Namesake Films (2000)

Director: James Dean

Psychological relationship drama: impotence, humour, betrayal and revenge.

Deadly Vipers

BBC (The Natural World) (2000)

Producer: Phil Chapman

The greatest danger is the one that's hidden... Vipers kill more people than any other creature on earth, but there is much to admire in their beauty and their cunning.

The Pied Piper

(2000)

For large ensemble and narrator
Words: Emma House
Narrator: Simon James

This one’s for you

ITV (Blaze) (2000)

Director: Dan Berbridge

Music video request show, allowing viewers to dedicate a song and send a message to someone in their lives.

A car stopped…

Firstlight Pictures (2000)

Director: Ruaridh Webster

Omnibus (“Jennifer Saunders at the barre”)

BBC (RDF) (1999)

Director: Jenny de Yong

Hot Pursuits

BBC (Zenith) (1999)

Director: Alan Ravenscroft

A house in Spain

UK Style (Zenith) (1999)

Director: Nick Davies

Style Street

UK Style (NMTV) (1999)

Director: Chris Wise

Bloomberg Techline

Sci-Fi Channel (1999)

Director: Tori McLaren

Oil of Olay

Saatchi and Saatchi (1999)

Head and Shoulders

Saatchi and Saatchi (1999)

BP

The Music Gallery (1999)

Kingsbury Square

Discovery Channel (Zenith) (1999)

Director: Chris Godfrey

The trials and tribulations of renovating and refurbishing a Georgian house.

Hitchcock Weekend

Sci-Fi Channel (1999)

Director: James Dean

Trailer for one of the Hitchcock films that provided a weekend feast for fans of the Master of Suspense.

Not waving, but drowning

For tenor, horn and piano (1999)

Words: Stevie Smith

Once upon a time in Letterland

Touch Animation (1999)

The fourth in the award-winning animation series that makes it fun for small children to learn to read.

Sci-Fi Channel Idents

Sci-Fi Channel (Kemistry) (1999)

Director: Tor McLaren

Tension and release, the scary becomes the everyday: three examples of a successful Sci-Fi Channel technique.

Letterland: A Christmas Story

Touch Animation (1998)

Christmas comes to Letterland with games, food and entertainment (the third in the series).

Living Colour

BBC (12 five-minute shorts) (1998)

Producer: Emma Rigney

Stingers

BBC (12 five-minute shorts) (1998)

Producer: Jerry Short

A wild romance (Titles only)

BBC (12 five-minute shorts) (1998)

Producer: Susie Staples

Birds Behaving Badly

BBC (Wildlife on One) (1998)

Producer: Phil Chapman

The magnificent Frigate Bird: a bird that pushes every boundary to the limit; a pirate of the oceans, majestic, but with a mean streak.

Jazz Week

UK TV (Zoobee) (1998)

A house in France

UK Style (Zenith) (1998)

Director: Bob Franklin

Supradyn

Red Pepper (1998)

Detective Dippy Duck

Touch Animation (1998)

Dippy Duck is called upon to play detective when the Quarrelsome Queen's quilt goes missing (second in the series).

The darkling thrush

For tenor, horn and piano (1998)

Words: Thomas Hardy

The Verge

Firstlight Pictures (1998)

Director: Ruaridh Webster

Cross Jeans (‘Original’)

MTV Europe (Fletcher Sanderson) (1997)

Cross Jeans (‘Quarrel’)

MTV Europe (Fletcher Sanderson) (1997)

Cross Jeans (‘Twister’)

MTV Europe (Fletcher Sanderson) (1997)

Save the Tiger

Limelight Productions (1997)

Director: Daniel Kleinman

No holds barred cinema short drawing attention to the dwindling number of tigers in India.

The Letterland Story

Touch Animation (1997)

The first in the award-winning series of Letterland videos.

The Comedy Album

(1996)

Library Album (music for comedy).
Two tracks by Tom Smail.