Oliver Reynolds Davis (born January 1972) is an English composer, pianist and singer.
Early life and studies He is the son of British violinist Howard Davis and British classical harpsichordist Virginia Black.
Davis studied at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating in 1994. He has since composed and produced albums, soundtracks, concertos and television scores working with London orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra.
Career After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 1994, he initially worked in television and animation scoring, composing music for numerous series and productions before transitioning more prominently into orchestral and ballet composition.Whitehouse, Richard. "Gramophone review". Gramophone. Gramophone. Retrieved 26 August 2015. Over time, he established collaborations with major ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and his works have been widely broadcast and commercially successful, frequently appearing in UK classical charts and on radio stations such as Classic FM.Oates, Mandy. "Eaton Music Biography". Eaton Music. Eaton Music. Retrieved 26 August 2015. His music has also become successful in international ballet, with performances by leading companies including the Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Davis’s classical output is extensive and spans multiple forms, including concertos, orchestral cycles, chamber works, vocal compositions, and ballet scores. His early major concert work Flight (2013), a violin concerto for solo violin and strings, marked a turning point in his concert career and later formed the basis of his debut album. This was followed by a sequence of concept albums—Seasons (2015), featuring Anno, a modern reinterpretation of The Four Seasons; Dance (2016), which incorporates rhythmically driven orchestral pieces influenced by ballet; and Liberty (2018), whose material was later adapted into choreographic works such as Bacchus. Subsequent albums expanded his catalogue further, including Arcadia (2019), Solace (2021), Air (2022), Blue (2023), and Life (2025), the latter comprising works such as Life Cycle, Biorhythms, Mortal, and Afterlife, written for combinations of violin, piano, strings, harp, and orchestra.
Alongside these recordings, Davis has produced a substantial body of standalone classical compositions. Notable works include the Dance Concerto for violin and string orchestra, The Elements for mixed ensemble, Eros and Psyche for soprano and strings, and This Mortal Man for soprano, harp, and strings.
His choral writing includes pieces such as At That Hour, while his chamber and instrumental works span solo piano pieces (e.g., Reflection) and small ensemble compositions. His compositional style is generally tonal and accessible, often built around lyrical violin writing and repetitive minimalist textures, which has contributed to his appeal in both concert and dance settings.
Davis is especially prominent in ballet composition, where his music has been used in numerous original works and choreographic adaptations. Major ballet scores include Within the Hours (2013) and Prometheus (2014) for the Royal Ballet, Flight of Fancy (2016) for Tulsa Ballet, Dance Odyssey (2018) for New York City Ballet, and The Infinite Ocean (2018) for San Francisco Ballet. Further works include Bacchus (2019) for Pacific Northwest Ballet, 13th Heaven (2019) for Singapore Dance Theatre, and The Veil Between Worlds (2019), alongside later collaborations such as Jubilate (2023), created for the coronation of King Charles III. His music has also been reused and adapted across multiple ballet productions, with choreographers frequently drawing from his recorded albums to create new works.
In addition to his concert and ballet output, Davis has composed for musical theatre (including TV22 and Thomas & Friends: The Great Race) and created sound design for experimental and film projects. His television work includes scoring more than a dozen animated series such as Poppy Cat, The Cramp Twins, and Humf, reflecting the breadth of his early career in media composition.
Credits
Albums AlbumLabelPublisherPerformersYearFlightSignum RecordsEaton MusicKerenza Peacock, Huw Watkins accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman2015SeasonsSignum RecordsEaton MusicKerenza Peacock, Grace Davidson accompanied by Trafalgar Sinfonia conducted by Ivor Setterfield2015DanceSignum RecordsEaton MusicKerenza Peacock, Huw Watkins accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Paul Bateman.2016LibertySignum RecordsEaton MusicKerenza Peacock, Huw Watkins, Katherine Jenkinson, Tim Ridout, Jonathan Hill, Grace Davidson. Accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Paul Bateman. 2018ArcadiaSignum RecordsEaton MusicBenjamin Baker, Huw Watkins, Kerenza Peacock, Hanke Brohers2018SolaceSignum RecordsEaton MusicKerenza Peacock, Jonathan Hill, Grace Davidson, Oliver Wass, Sam Brophy, Benedict Moriarty, Sergio Puccini, Henry Hanssen, Beth & Flo, Katherine Jenkinson, Nicholas Holland, Huw Watkins, Budapest Scoring Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Péter Illényi2021AirSignum RecordsEaton MusicBen Baker, Kerenza Peacock & the Hanke Brothers 2022BlueSignum RecordsEaton Music Beth & Flo, Grace Davidson, Julia Doyle, Paul Bateman.2023LifeSignum RecordsEaton MusicHuw Watkins, Kerenza Peacock, Benjamin Baker, Katherine Jenkinson. Accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Julian Kershaw2025
Films and animation FilmDirectorDetailsYearSeaview KnightsRichard KurtisFull-length film starring James Bolam, Sarah Alexander and Anita Dobson1994Dear NelsonSarah CoxChannel 4 – BAA Best Short Film Nomination1998How to Cope with Death (TV Short)Ignassio FerarezChannel 4 – Nominated best music British Animation Awards2002The Girl and the Horse (short)Rebecca ManleySlinky Pictures – nominated for 'Best Music' BAAs 20042003Inseparable Bonds (short)Dr FrankenskippyThe Moving Picture Co.2003The Big TopRebecca ManleyCommissioned by the Hype Gallery and produced by Maria Manton for Slinky Pictures2004Dagmars FriendIan Colbart and Ian Carney2006Silence is GoldenChris SheperdSlinky Pictures Won the 2006 TCM Classic Shorts Award at the London Film Festival2006Over the HillPeter BayntonMcLaren Award for Best New British Animation at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 20072007A-ZSally Arthur2007Little FaceMatthew WalkerWinner 'Best Music' San Gio Film Festival 2008 – 3-minute AIR for Channel 42009Playhouse Presents – Nelly and MelbaChristine GernonSky Arts2012Playhouse Presents – City HallRichard LoncraineSky Arts2012Lifeclass (short)Chris ShepherdRandom Acts2013The Ringer (short)Chris ShepherdCanal Plus2013Stick OutAnthony Farquar SmithNominated for Virgin Media Shorts2013A Mountain to ClimbRebecca ManleySelected for Nowness2015Thomas & Friends: The Great RaceDavid StotenCGI animated musical adventure film2016Johnno's DeadChris Shepherd Featured in the Barbican2016 Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor David Stoten CGI animation film 2017DoozyRichard SquiresFeature length biopic2018
Television series ShowSeriesDirectorDetailsYearPongwiffySeries 1 – 26 episodesAlan SimpsonTeleimagination for CiTV 2001Something ElseSeries 1 -26 episodesBrad NeaveLoonland2001–2007MetalheadsSeries 1 – 6 episodesSteve MooreTeleimagination for CBBC2003The Cramp TwinsSeries 2Brian WoodTeleimagination for Cartoon Network / BBC2004The LikeaballsSeries 1 – 26 episodesJim QuickBBC / Cosgrove Hall for CBBC2006HumfSeries 1 – 78 episodesLeo NeilsonKing Rollo / E1 Kids for Nick Jr2007BoblinsSeries 1 and 2 – 52 episodesDave GarbittInspire GLG for CiTV currently broadcasting in over 20 countries2008City HallSeries 1Richard LoncraineSky Arts2012SkatoonySeries 1, 2 and 3 – 39 episodesJames FoxCartoon Network2006–2008Poppy CatSeries 1 and 2 – 104 episodesMallory LewisKing Rollo / Coolabi2011–2014The Simpsons Couch gagSylvain Chomet20th Century Fox2014Odd JobbersSeries 1 – 26 episodesCiTVMonsters vs Monsters7 shorts Ian ColbartNickelodeonOlly the Little White VanSeries 1, 2 and 3 – 65 episodesDave GarbittChannel 5
Ballet BalletCompanyChoreographerVenueDetailsYearPrometheusThe Royal BalletErico MontesThe Lindbury and St James Theatre2014Flight of FancyTulsa BalletMa CongTulsa Ballet2016Dance OdysseyNew York City BalletPeter WalkerDavid H. Koch Theater2018The Infinite OceanSan Francisco BalletEdwaard LiangSan Francisco BalletPiece commissioned for new ballet as part of the Unbound Festival2018BacchusPacific Northwest BalletMathew NeenanMcCaw HallPart of the Director's Choice mixed bill201913th Heaven Singapore Dance TheatreEdward LiangLocation: Esplanade, Singapore2019Guitar ConcertoMadison BalletJa MalikPromenade Hall, Madison2024Dance OdysseyMadison BalletJa MalikPromenade Hall, Madison2024CamilliaMadison BalletXavier NunezJoffrey Academy of Dance2024The Puffer FishLondon Vocational Ballet SchoolGavin McCaigExcel London, 1 Victoria Dock, London2024New KitkaSchool of American Ballet Emily KitkaSchool of American Ballet2024SemblanceGolden State BalletNorbert De La CruzThe Historic Balboa Center, San Diego2024The Veil Between WorldsPNBalletEdwaard LiangThe Kennedy Center and McCaw Hall2024ArcadiaDimensions Dance TheatreYanis Eric PikierisPinecrest Gardens2024I Remember NowSmuin Contemporary Ballet Amy SeiwertYerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco2025In BloomDimensions Dance TheatreYanis Eric PikierisPinecrest Gardens2025The Whispering EarthBallet Academy EastTom GoldThe Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College2025IlluminateHouston BalletJacquelyn LongWortham Theater Center2025
Instrumental works
Orchestra WorkDetailsYearBacchusOrchestra2019Pacific Northwest BalletOrchestra2019Poseidon Orchestra2012
Soloist(s) and orchestra WorkDetailsYearLost LakeViolin and Strings2011Skyward2013VoyagerViolin, Strings and Piano2013Flight – Concerto for Violin Violin and strings2013Airborne Dances Solo violin and strings2014Frontiers Violin and strings2015ArcoViolin and Orchestra2016Morpheus Cello, Piano and OrchestraThree Piece SuitePremiered by Katherine Jenkinson and Alison Ferr at the Derby Chamber Society Concert2016SonarPiano, Violin and OrchestraAnnoSolo violin and strings 2018SpiralPiano, Violin and Orchestra2018Liberty Piano, Viola, Violin, Orchestra
Soloist(s) and large ensemble (7 or more players) WorkInstrumentationYearEpilogueSolo violin and strings2014
Works for 2–6 players WorkInstrumentationYearChillinghamSoprano, Cello, Piano, Viola, Violin2011Elements2011Three days in NovemberViolin and Piano 2012
Solo keyboard(s) WorkInstrumentationYearChildhood SketchesPiano2011Scenes from the SolentPiano2012The Calm, The StormPiano2012
Chorus a cappella / chorus plus 1 instrument WorkInstrumentationYearA Song for MalalaMale Voice Choir and Piano2013
Chorus and orchestra/ensemble WorkInstrumentationYearAir WaltzViolin, Trebles, Strings, Harps2013AirOrchestra and Voice2022
Solo voice(s) and up to 6 players WorkInstrumentationYearLondon Song CycleSoprano, 2 flutes, 2 marimba, and cello2011
Sound design WorkDirectorDetailsYearDead Cow FarmCarl Cresser1997Sucked upCarl CresserAnimation film for Channel 4 made by John Parry2003AnnLee You ProposesArtist: Liam GillickAnimated CG installation for Tate Britain created by MPC (Turner Prize entry)2003Eye BallLars Magnus Holmgren AKA Dr Frankenskippy2004
Musicals WorkDetailsYearTV22Lyrics and story by Paul Gambaccini2000Thomas & Friends: The Great RaceDavid Stoten2016
References