Howard Blake

Howard Blake is an English composer, conductor, and pianist known for his prolific work across film, ballet, concert, and choral music. He is best known internationally for scoring «The Snowman» (1982), the beloved animated adaptation of Raymond Briggs' picture book, for which he composed the entire soundtrack, including the now-iconic song «Walking in the Air». That piece, sung by a boy treble, became a Christmas staple in the UK, later covered by numerous artists and used widely in film, television, and advertising.

Beyond «The Snowman», Blake built a long and varied career composing for film and television, ballet, and orchestral concert works, often drawing on rich, lyrical melodic writing that bridges accessible popular appeal with more traditionally classical craftsmanship. His output spans decades and includes works written for major British orchestras, ballet companies, and choirs, reflecting a career rooted deeply in English musical tradition.

While «The Snowman» soundtrack remains his most widely recognized achievement — with pieces like «Dance of the Snowmen» and «Night Tapestry» also drawn from his broader catalogue — Blake's body of work reflects a composer equally at home writing for the concert hall and for the screen, giving him a distinctive place among English composers who moved fluently between popular and classical spheres.