Francis Monkman
Best known as the founder of Curved Air, Francis Monkman was unusual even among the ranks of progressive rock's musicians for his level of musical training. As a student at the Westminster School in the '60s, he studied organ and harpsichord, and nursed the ambition to conduct a Mozart opera. Later in the decade, as a student at the Royal Academy of Music, he won the Raymond Russel Prize for his virtuosity on the harpsichord and he also took up playing the electric guitar. During this period, he also became a session musician. In 1970, Monkman was the catalyst in the formation of Curved Air out of an earlier group called Sisyphus. Their three albums carved out a permanent place for the group in the annals of progressive rock, but Monkman also worked as a session musician on records by the Shadows, David Essex, Kate Bush, Steve Harley, and Paul Nicholas, among many others. Monkman never stayed too far away from serious classical music, continuing to give performances at Royal Albert Hall and the Purcell Room. In the mid-'70s, he was introduced to classical guitarist John Williams and played on his album Travelling. The two later formed the group Sky with Herbie Flowers, Kevin Peek, and Tristan Fry. He also performed live with Brian Eno (which appeared on the album Dali's Car) and played on albums by acts including Renaissance, Al Stewart, the Alan Parsons Project, and Kate Bush, and moved into soundtrack composition during the '80s, most notably writing the music for The Long Good Friday. He also worked with the other John Williams (the soundtrack composer) on The Empire Strikes Back's score. Monkman has also occasionally mixed his classical and rock backgrounds more closely on albums such as Symphonic Rock: British Invasion, Vol. 1. Later in life, Monkman traveled throughout Europe, playing benefit shows to support the restoration of vintage organs, and would sometimes interpolate bits of Curved Air pieces into his Bach performances for the benefit of his fans. Francis Monkman was in treatment for cancer when he died on May 12, 2023; he was 73 years of age.
© Bruce Eder /TiVo
Discography
12 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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The Long Good Friday
Film Soundtracks - Released by Silva Screen Records on 1 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kpm 1000 Series: Pictures in the Mind
Francis Monkman, Malcolm Ironton, Richard Harvey
Jazz - Released by KPM 1000 LP Series on 1 Jan 1978
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
George Martin Presents...
The Medici Quartet, John Williams, John Dankworth, Jack Brymer, Barbara Thompson, Francis Monkman
Classical - Released by The Sound Corporation on 3 Mar 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kpm 1000 Series: Classical Odyssey
Francis Monkman, Daryl Runswick
Jazz - Released by KPM 1000 LP Series on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Bach Family
Classical - Released by Explore Rights Management LTD on 5 Nov 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kpm 1000 Series: Contemporary Impact
Francis Monkman, Malcolm Ironton, Pete Kelly
Jazz - Released by KPM 1000 LP Series on 1 Jan 1978
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kpm 1000 Series: Classical Concussion
Jazz - Released by KPM 1000 LP Series on 1 Jan 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jam
Alternative & Indie - Released by Floating World on 15 Apr 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Virtual Classics
Francis Monkman, Graham Preskett
Soundtracks - Released by Music House - Specifics on 15 Sep 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fast
Alain Feanch, John Fiddy, Francis Monkman, Sammy Burdson, Antonio Campo, Mac Prindy
Electronic - Released by Sonoton Vinyl on 31 Jul 1975
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
21st Century Blues & The Virtuous-Realiti Band
Blues - Released by Floating World on 15 Apr 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kpm 1000 Series: Predictions Part 1
Francis Monkman, Malcolm Ironton
Jazz - Released by KPM 1000 LP Series on 1 Jan 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo