biography

Marcus Davidson was a chorister at Worcester Cathedral.  He read Music at Birmingham University, studying composition with Vic Hoyland, and later received a masters degree in composition at City University, London, studying with Rhian Samuel.

Marcus has worked particularly in the fields of music for dance and music-comedy, arranging and writing for stage, radio, video and television.

He specialises in playing for Ballet and Contemporary Dance at London professional schools, and is a member of Spire, the Organ based project by Touch.  Spire has performed at the Hardingtonar Festival 2008, York Minster in 2007, the Festival of Holland 2006, the Fuse Leeds 2006 contemporary music festival, the Gas Festival 2005 in Stockholm, La Batie Festival 2004 in Geneva, and on BBC Radio 3.

He has recorded an album of Celtic-inspired music, Ribbon of Time, with Rob Millner, and is also writing a ballet.

compositions

Bee Symphony (Choir and tape by Chris Watson), Pestival, at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 6th September 2009.

Huldrasang (Hardingfele ensemble or chamber ensemble), Spire, at Hardingtonar Festival, 21st June 2008.

The Grey Book (organ, piano and 3 voices), Spire, at York Minster, 20th January 2007.

The Passing (organ and tape), Spire, at York Minster, 20th January 2007.

Elergy (piano and tape), performed by the composer at Spire Live, at Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, Festival of Holland, 24th July 2006.

Laudate Domine (organ and tenor), Spire, at Fuse Leeds Festival, 12th May 2006.  Performed by Robert Millner, tenor, and the composer on organ.

Om Mani (tenor and organ), a setting of a Buddhist chant, and Standing Wave (organ), at the Masthuggs Church as part of the Gas Festival, 4th October 2005.  Broadcast by Swedish radio.

Opposites Attract (organ).  A commission for La Batie Festival, Geneva Cathedral, performed by Charles Matthews, 5th September 2004.  Broadcast by Swiss radio.  Released by Touch on Spire Live.

Cyclofantasia (piano), performed by Jose Senitio at The Warehouse, London, 2005.

Organ Psalms (organ), performed by Charles Matthews at St Mary's Warwick, November 2001.

Awakenings, a dance theatre production depicting the mystical work of artist Donald Pass [left], premiered in Norwich Cathedral and then toured around England, February 2000.

In 1999 Marcus was commissioned to write the finale for the Festival of Classical Greek Dance at the Royal Albert Hall in November of that year.

Several recordings of Marcus's music have been released by Touch, and are available from the Touch Shop.