Arthur Wilkinson

For the English footballer, see Arthur Wilkinson (footballer). For the English cricketer, see Arthur Wilkinson (cricketer).

Arthur Wilkinson (3 September 1919 – 1968) was a British orchestral composer and arranger. While serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II, he began composing and later contributed to film, stage shows, radio and television.

Notable Works

• The Three Rivers Fantasy, a pastiche of popular folk tunes from North-East England was commissioned by Tyne Tees Television. It ran every day at the opening of transmission from January 1959 until May 1983.
• Arrangements for the original London production of the musical Charlie Girl.
• The Beatlecracker Suite, an arrangement of songs by The Beatles into movements of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite.

In popular culture

His songs "Hippo Bird", "House Mouse", "Little Puck", and "Swoon" were used in TV shows like, Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon and SpongeBob SquarePants

Selected filmography

• Trouble in the Air (1948)
• A Piece of Cake (1948) : music
• It's Not Cricket (1949) : music
• The Golden Year (1951) : special orchestrations
• Come Back Peter (1952)

External links

• Tribute by composer Gavin Sutherland, includes link to MP3 of the "Three Rivers Fantasy".
• Arthur Wilkinson at IMDb