Frankel, Benjamin (1906-1973)

English composer and teacher. He studied the piano in Germany and continued his studies in London while playing jazz violin in nightclubs. His output includes chamber music and numerous film scores, notably The Man in the White Suit (1951) and A Kid for Two Farthings (1955).

He made a precarious living as a music teacher, café pianist, and jazz-band violinist while attending the Guildhall School of Music in the daytime. He gradually improved his living by working as an orchestrator and theatre conductor, finally succeeding as a conductor and composer of film music. In his published work he became an early English exponent of serial technique.

His reputation in the film world grew with music for The Seventh Veil (1945), The Years Between (1946), and Dear Murderer (1947). In his mature works, which include eight symphonies, an important violin concerto (1951), The Aftermath (Robert Nichols; 1947) for tenor and orchestra, four string quartets, and other chamber works, he successfully espoused serial methods in conjunction with a strong feeling for tonality.

Works Orchestral music for many films, Pezzo sinfonico for orchestra, Solemn Speech and Discussion and Music for Young Comrades for string orchestra, eight symphonies (1952-72), violin concerto.

Vocal The Aftermath (Robert Nichols; 1947) for tenor, strings, trumpet, and drums.

Chamber five string quartets, Three Sketches for string quartet, string trio, trio for clarinet, cello, and piano, Early Morning Pieces for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon; violin and piano sonata, sonatas for unaccompanied violin and viola, Sonata ebraica for cello and harp, Elégie juive for cello and piano; passacaglia for two pianos; piano pieces.