Adrian Utley (from Portishead)
National Trust Croft Castle & Parkland

Best known as a member of the band Portishead, renowned guitarist Adrian Utley created new music in response to a walk amongst some of the remarkable ancient trees at National Trust Croft Castle and Parkland. 

His piece takes listeners on a musical journey inspired by the 1000 year old ‘Quarry Oak’, unique triple chestnut avenue and mysterious ancient hawthorns. Watch the video by film maker John Minton below. 

About the composer: Moving to Bristol in the mid 80’s and heavily into jazz, Adrian Utley played guitar with many great English and American artists and a growing vintage instrument and studio equipment collection spawned a move into production and film work. Portishead formed in 1990 with the first album “Dummy” released in 1994 followed by “Portishead” in 1997. “Third” was released in April 2008. Utley composed a new soundtrack for silent film classic “The Passion of Joan of Arc” with Will Gregory, performed by a 23 piece orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood and has created various commissions for an electric guitar orchestra.