The flying snowman

Forest; George Winston, pianist

One of my favorite animated features is “The Snowman”, based on Raymond Brigg’s children’s book of the same name written in 1978. The animated feature was produced by BBC Channel Four in 1982 and aired for the first time on Christmas Eve of that year. It was an immediate success.

Like the wordless book, the film has no dialogue. It tells the tale of a young boy who has created a snowman during the day and discovers that the snowman comes to life at the stroke of midnight. After various adventures involving appliances, toys and Dad’s motorcycle, the snowman grabs the boy’s hand and they fly through the air headed for the North Pole. After attending a snowmen’s (snowperson’s?) party, they meet up with Father Christmas who gives the boy a scarf for a present. After the journey home, the boy returns to bed, only to find that the sun has melted the snowman the next morning. However, the boy rushes back to his room and discovers the scarf in his bed.

I love the music for this film. It was written by British composer Howard Blake. The playful nature of the music serves as a flawless companion to the mischievous antics of the boy and his new friend. The best part comes, however, when the snowman grasps the boy’s hand, makes a run for it and launches into the air. During a breathtaking four minute segment of the film, the boy and his friend fly over Brighton, England, a cruise ship, a whale and

finally into a forest at the North Pole. For this portion of the film, Mr. Blake composed a haunting melody with evocative words to match the sensational scenery. “Walking In The Air” was recorded by a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, lending an element of childlike innocence to an event of mind-boggling proportions.

We’re walking in the air

We’re floating in the moonlit sky

The people far below are sleeping as we fly

I’m holding very tight

I’m riding in the midnight blue

I’m finding I can fly so high above with you

Far across the world

The villages go by like dreams

The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze open mouthed

Taken by surprise

Nobody down below believes their eyes

We’re surfing in the air

We’re swimming in the frozen sky

We’re drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low

On an ocean deep

Rousing up a mighty monster from his sleep

And walking in the air

We’re dancing in the midnight sky

And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly

I’m so very glad that Mr. George Winston included this music on his album called “Forest”. The elegance of the song and the graceful flair of Mr. Winston’s pianism find a counterpart in each other. Some have said that this album represents Mr. Winston’s finest performances. Maybe. I’m afraid I love the music way more than the performance of it to notice.

Credits: To anyone who can suspend the momentary discomforts of a frigid winter scene long enough to kindle or rekindle the magic of creating a snowman.