Paul Reade

Not to be confused with Paul Read.

Paul Reade
Birth name	Paul Geoffrey Reade
Born	10 January 1943 Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
Died	7 June 1997 (aged 54)
Genres	Television, ballet
Occupation	Composer

Paul Geoffrey Reade (10 January 1943 – 7 June 1997) was an English composer. Born in Lancashire, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and worked at English National Opera as a répétiteur. In 1991 he received an Ivor Novello Award for his theme music for The Victorian Kitchen Garden television series.

Career

Reade was active as a composer for television, with credits including the series The Victorian Kitchen Garden (published in various arrangements, this music continues to be played in recitals and music examinations) and Jane Eyre (1983 TV serial). He arranged the Beethoven extracts heard by millions of children in the surreal animated series Ludwig; his other children's television credits include The Flumps and Crystal Tipps and Alistair. He was also the composer, with Tim Gibson, of the theme music for the Antiques Roadshow.

Reade eventually turned to ballet; among the latter works he scored were Hobson's Choice in 1989 (choreographed by David Bintley from the eponymous play), and 1996's Far from the Madding Crowd (after the work by Thomas Hardy). Hobson's Choice has been recorded by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and released on ASV Records.

Paul Reade's Chants du Roussillon were recorded by the prominent soprano, Virginia Kerr.

Death

Reade died of leukemia on 7 June 1997. He was survived by his wife Philippa Davies (the principal flautist of the London Mozart Players), as well as his ex-wife Mary Clark, and their son and daughter.