English composer. His work is tonal and includes a large amount of orchestral, chamber, ballet, and vocal music. His best-known overtures include
Beckus the Dandipratt (1948),
A Sussex Overture (1951), and
Tam O'Shanter (1955). His operas include
The Dancing Master (1951), and he has written music for more than 80 films, including
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), for which he won an Academy Award.
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