The violinist, whose recording career was bookended with the soundtracks of two Gladiator films 25 years apart, was 68
The British orchestra leader and session violinist Perry Montague-Mason has died, aged 68.
The violinist enjoyed a prolific recording career, featuring on numerous film and TV soundtracks and pop music sessions. He embarked on a freelance session playing career from 1976, and served as director of the London Studio Orchestra since 2008.
Having recently retired, Montague-Mason’s final session was with composer Harry Gregson-Williams on Gladiator II in Studio One of London’s Abbey Road Studios. Montague-Mason played on Hans Zimmer’s original Gladiator soundtrack 25 years previously, in one of his first sessions with the London Studio Orchestra.
His extensive recording output included performances in over 200 soundtracks. He served as orchestra leader on soundtracks to blockbuster Hollywood films such as Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, Meg 2, Monsters vs Aliens, Madagascar 2, Iron Man, HHhH, Unlocked, Edie and Dunkirk.
He appeared with Orchestre de Grandeu, London Festival Orchestra, London Orchestra, London Session Orchestra, the Pale Blue Orchestra and the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble.
Montague-Mason studied music at Kingsway-Princeton College and also graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Music, where he studied violin, viola and conducting.
Numerous tributes flowed on social media for the late violinist. AIR Studios Lyndhurst posted: ’A true legend in the London session scene, a lovely man and an exceptional musician. The vast number film & pop sessions he recorded at AIR Studios are too many to mention and it was always a pleasure to see him.’
Abbey Road Studios shared its condolences, and posted: ’Perry graced us with his work countless times, going all the way back to Highlander in 1986 and up until recently on scores for the likes of The French Dispatch, Thor: Love and Thunder and Kung Fu Panda 4.’
Composer Debbie Wiseman posted on X (formerly Twitter): ’He was a brilliant orchestra leader, both in the studio and on the concert stage - the BEST. Caring, a dedicated musician, with a warmth and gentle authority that infused all his work. He will be missed greatly.’
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