Matthew Strachan
Encyclopedia
Matthew Strachan is an English
composer
and songwriter
.
His best known work is the music for the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
with his father Keith
. He has also contributed music to other television programmes such as The Detectives
, Question Time
, Winning Lines
and Britain's Brainiest along with jingles for several television commercials.
and Goldsmiths College
, University of London. He worked as a soundtrack composer throughout the 1990s creating music for television, radio and theatre productions until concentrating on songwriting in Nashville, Tennessee. Following two years in America he created score and lyrics for Next Door's Baby
, a stage musical written with his wife, Bernie Gaughan
(also known as novelist, Bernadette Strachan.)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
His best known work is the music for the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (UK game show)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a British television quiz show which offers a maximum cash prize of one million pounds for correctly answering successive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty...
with his father Keith
Keith Strachan
Keith Strachan is a British composer and theatre director. He co-wrote the song "Mistletoe and Wine", which got Cliff Richard the 1988 Christmas number one...
. He has also contributed music to other television programmes such as The Detectives
The Detectives
The Detectives is a British comedy television series, starring Jasper Carrott, Robert Powell, and George Sewell. It was a spoof of police dramas, which were numerous in the 1990s, and it was aired on BBC One...
, Question Time
Question Time
Question time in a parliament occurs when members of the parliament ask questions of government ministers , which they are obliged to answer. It usually occurs daily while parliament is sitting, though it can be cancelled in exceptional circumstances...
, Winning Lines
Winning Lines
Winning Lines was a National Lottery game show produced by Celador that ran on BBC One in the United Kingdom from 12 June 1999 to 16 October 2004. It was originally hosted by Simon Mayo from 1999 to 2000, then Phillip Schofield from 2001 to 2004....
and Britain's Brainiest along with jingles for several television commercials.
Biography
Strachan trained at Dartington College of ArtsDartington College of Arts
Dartington College of Arts was a specialist arts institution near Totnes, Devon, South West England, it specialized in post-dramatic theatre, music, choreography, Performance Writing and visual performance, focusing on a performative and multi-disciplinary approach to the arts. In addition to this,...
and Goldsmiths College
Goldsmiths College
Goldsmiths, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom which specialises in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It was founded in 1891 as Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute...
, University of London. He worked as a soundtrack composer throughout the 1990s creating music for television, radio and theatre productions until concentrating on songwriting in Nashville, Tennessee. Following two years in America he created score and lyrics for Next Door's Baby
Next Door's Baby
Next Door's Baby is a musical with music and lyrics by Matthew Strachan and book by Bernie Gaughan , based on Gaughan's radio play of the same name. Set in 1950's Dublin, it tells the story of two neighbouring families who attempt to reconcile their lives with secrets they have kept to avoid facing...
, a stage musical written with his wife, Bernie Gaughan
Bernadette Strachan
Bernadette Strachan is an English author of popular women's fiction and among the more popular writers of "chick lit." Her first novel, The Reluctant Landlady, was published by Hodder and Stoughton in 2004 since when she has published a further three novels. with the same publisher...
(also known as novelist, Bernadette Strachan.)
Music for stage
- About Bill, Landor TheatreLandor TheatreThe Landor Theatre is a pub theatre in Clapham, South London.Originally the Cage Theatre upon its opening in 1994, the Landor became "Upstairs at the Landor" in 1995 and finally the Landor Theatre in 1998, following a refit of the building....
- Hungry Ghosts, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- The Promise, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- The Making of Moo, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- Silk, Workshopped at the Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- Last Train to Nibroc, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- Next Door's BabyNext Door's BabyNext Door's Baby is a musical with music and lyrics by Matthew Strachan and book by Bernie Gaughan , based on Gaughan's radio play of the same name. Set in 1950's Dublin, it tells the story of two neighbouring families who attempt to reconcile their lives with secrets they have kept to avoid facing...
, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round.... - Happy Birthday Dear Alice, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- The LodgerThe LodgerThe Lodger may refer to:* The Lodger, a 1913 horror novel by Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes** The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, a 1927 British silent film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the 1913 novel...
, Theatre Royal, WindsorTheatre Royal, WindsorThe Theatre Royal, Windsor is located in the town of Windsor, Berkshire, England, directly across the road from Windsor Castle.The present building was opened on 17 December 1910 after the previous theatre had burned down on 18 February 1908, under the ownership of Sir William Shipley.With the... - The FlyThe FlyThe Fly may refer to:* The Fly , a 1957 short story by George Langelaan, the basis of The Fly films** The Fly ** Return of the Fly , first sequel to the 1958 film...
, Paul Farrah Productions - Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
- The Good Woman of Setzuan, Orange Tree TheatreOrange Tree TheatreThe Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre at 1 Clarence Street, Richmond in south west London, built specifically as a theatre in the round....
Music for television
- Money, BBC2
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (UK game show)Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a British television quiz show which offers a maximum cash prize of one million pounds for correctly answering successive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty...
, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, International - Winning LinesWinning LinesWinning Lines was a National Lottery game show produced by Celador that ran on BBC One in the United Kingdom from 12 June 1999 to 16 October 2004. It was originally hosted by Simon Mayo from 1999 to 2000, then Phillip Schofield from 2001 to 2004....
, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, International - Britain's Brainiest, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, International - Question TimeQuestion TimeQuestion time in a parliament occurs when members of the parliament ask questions of government ministers , which they are obliged to answer. It usually occurs daily while parliament is sitting, though it can be cancelled in exceptional circumstances...
, Mentorn Films, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - Car WarsCar WarsCar Wars is a vehicle combat simulation game developed by Steve Jackson Games. It was first published in late 1980 .-Game play:In Car Wars, players assume control of one or more automobiles, which may include any powered vehicle, from motorcycles to semi trucks. Optional rules include piloting...
, Mentorn Films, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - The Hypnotic World of Paul McKennaPaul McKennaPaul McKenna is an English hypnotist and self-improvement author.McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss and motivation.-Career:Paul McKenna started in...
, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK... - The DetectivesThe DetectivesThe Detectives is a British comedy television series, starring Jasper Carrott, Robert Powell, and George Sewell. It was a spoof of police dramas, which were numerous in the 1990s, and it was aired on BBC One...
, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - Canned CarrottCanned CarrottCanned Carrott was a comedy stand-up and sketch-show by Jasper Carrott. Two of the regular sketches were "Wiggy" and "The Detectives"....
, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - The Jasper Carrott Trial, CeladorCeladorCelador is a global light entertainment company originally formed as an independent production company in 1983. It has produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is probably best known for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and co-producing the film Slumdog Millionaire which collected...
Productions, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - The WardThe WardThe Ward can refer to:*Ward *The Ward , a horror film by John Carpenter*Children's Ward, a British children's television drama series...
, Granada TelevisionGranada TelevisionGranada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
, ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK... - World Sport Esprit, TWI, International
- Legends of Wimbledon, TWI, International
- Scratchy and Co, Mentorn Films, ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Music featured in movies
- Extract, Miramax
- Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
, Fox Searchlight - Millions, Mission Pictures
- Celador Films Theme, Celador Films
- A Kind of Hush, First Film Company/Metrodome
Music for radio
- Ben-HurBen-Hur-Fiction:*Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is an 1880 novel by American general and author Lew Wallace** Ben Hur , a one-reel silent version** Ben-Hur , an MGM silent film starring Ramon Novarro...
, Focus on the FamilyFocus on the FamilyFocus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
, US Radio - The Gemini Apes, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- The Jasper Carrott Trial, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- Carrott's Comedy Choice, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- Nobblers, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Discography
- Music for Theatre, Nessus Records (2011)
- Klaus HarmonyKlaus HarmonyKlaus Harmony is a comic fictional composer of porn music for 1970s and 1980s European adult movies. Created by UK soundtrack composer, Matthew Strachan , the character's life story is told though music, images and an extensive series of spoof biographical entries on a multimedia website...
- Oeuvre Cinq, HarmonSink (2010) - Even Warren Beatty (with Tim WhitnallTim WhitnallTim Whitnall , is a British actor, musician, playwright and screenwriter probably best known for his portrayal of the alien Angelo on the British CITV sitcom Mike and Angelo....
), Nono Records (2009) - Klaus HarmonyKlaus HarmonyKlaus Harmony is a comic fictional composer of porn music for 1970s and 1980s European adult movies. Created by UK soundtrack composer, Matthew Strachan , the character's life story is told though music, images and an extensive series of spoof biographical entries on a multimedia website...
- Oeuvre 4, HarmonSink (2009) - Speed Limit Monkey, Nono Records (2008)
- 37203, Nono Records (2008)
- Flot Some, Jet Some, Nono Records (2008)
- Klaus HarmonyKlaus HarmonyKlaus Harmony is a comic fictional composer of porn music for 1970s and 1980s European adult movies. Created by UK soundtrack composer, Matthew Strachan , the character's life story is told though music, images and an extensive series of spoof biographical entries on a multimedia website...
- Oeuvre Derde, HarmonSink (2008) - Klaus HarmonyKlaus HarmonyKlaus Harmony is a comic fictional composer of porn music for 1970s and 1980s European adult movies. Created by UK soundtrack composer, Matthew Strachan , the character's life story is told though music, images and an extensive series of spoof biographical entries on a multimedia website...
- Oeuvre Zwei, HarmonSink (2007) - Klaus HarmonyKlaus HarmonyKlaus Harmony is a comic fictional composer of porn music for 1970s and 1980s European adult movies. Created by UK soundtrack composer, Matthew Strachan , the character's life story is told though music, images and an extensive series of spoof biographical entries on a multimedia website...
- Oeuvre I, HarmonSink (2006) - Next Door's BabyNext Door's BabyNext Door's Baby is a musical with music and lyrics by Matthew Strachan and book by Bernie Gaughan , based on Gaughan's radio play of the same name. Set in 1950's Dublin, it tells the story of two neighbouring families who attempt to reconcile their lives with secrets they have kept to avoid facing...
, Nessus Records (2006) - Save The King's Head, Nono Records (2000)
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire?Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a television game show which offers large cash prizes for correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. The format is owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television International. The maximum cash prize is one million pounds...
- Soundtrack, Celador Records (2000) - Who Wants to be a Millionaire?Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a television game show which offers large cash prizes for correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. The format is owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television International. The maximum cash prize is one million pounds...
- Interactive Game, Sony PlayStation, Disney Interactive (2000) - Fallen Angels, Nono Records (1999)
- Toy StoryToy StoryToy Story is a 1995 American computer-animated film released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is Pixar's first feature film as well as the first ever feature film to be made entirely with CGI. The film was directed by John Lasseter and featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen...
Sing Along, Disney (1997) - The Rock Serious Electric Roadshow, Nono Records (1993)
Awards
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2009
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2008
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2007
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2006
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2005
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2004
- ASCAP 17th Annual Film & TV Awards, Top TV Theme, 2002
- ASCAP 16th Annual Film & TV Awards, Top TV Theme, 2001
- ASCAP/PRS Awards, Most played TV Theme, 2000