Why concert for Diana hit wrong note with writer

The 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death is a sensitive subject for the Royal Family, as composer howard Blake has discovered.

Best known for his music for The Snowman, especially the theme song Walking In The Air, Blake is disconcerted that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has snubbed Princess Diana at a forthcoming concert of his work. Blake, 78, wrote a Concerto For Piano And Orchestra for Princess Diana on her 30th birthday and it will form part of a celebration of his work at Cadogan hall in September.

however the RPO, whose patron is Diana’s former brother-in-law Prince Andrew, didn’t refer to Diana anywhere in the programme or marketing material.

‘It’s a shame as that was the intention of the concert,’ says Blake. ‘Almost all the pieces in the programme are in some way connected to Diana, including The Snowman.’

Princess diana visited the set of the The Snowman and heard the world premiere of the Concerto For Piano at the royal Festival hall in 1991. another piece Blake is due to perform, elegia Stravagante, commemorates her death.

‘Perhaps they think it will embarrass the royal Family,’ adds Blake. ‘It seems very appropriate to me. The big piano piece in the concerto was commissioned for Princess diana for her birthday, and I think it’s the only piece of classical music commissioned for her. I don’t know why they’ve decided to run it on just my music alone, as that was not my original intention. In Germany, they’ve played the piano concerto and said it was in memory of diana.’

Prince Charles is heavily involved in classical music and is patron of the rival Philharmonia orchestra.

after its initial reluctance to acknowledge diana, the rPo seems to be changing its tune.

‘We have realigned our marketing,’ says a spokesman.