Craig Armstrong was born in Glasgow, and studied composition and piano at the Royal Academy of Music, London from 1977 to 1981.
From his base in Glasgow, Armstrong has written for film, classical commissions and solo recordings. He has collaborated with director Baz Lurhmann on “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge!,” and “The Great Gatsby;” the latter for which Armstrong was Grammy nominated for his original score. Armstrong has also composed the scores for “The Quiet American,” “Ray,” “Orphans,” Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Center,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” “Far From the Madding Crowd,” and “Victor Frankenstein.”
Most recently, Armstrong composed the original score for the Emilia Clarke-Sam Claflin romantic drama “Me Before You” as well as Oliver Stone’s international thriller “Snowden” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley scheduled for release on September 16th, 2016.
For his film scores, Armstrong has been awarded two BATFAs, two Ivor Novellos, a Golden Globe, an American Film Institute Award, a Grammy and, in 2007, an Outstanding International Achievement award from Scottish BAFTA. He was presented with ASCAP’s Henry Mancini Award in Los Angeles in March 2016.
Armstrong has released two solo records to Massive Attack’s label, “Melankolic,” and “Piano Works on Sanctuary.” “Memory Takes My Hand was released on EMI Classics in 2008 featuring the violinist Clio Gould and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Armstrong’s latest solo album “It’s Nearly Tomorrow” was released by BMG Chrysalis on October 2014 and features guest collaborations from the Blue Nile’s Paul Buchanan, Brett Anderson and Chris Botti, among others.
Armstrong has composed concert works for the RSNO, London Sinfonietta, Hebrides Ensemble and the Scottish Ensemble. Armstrong’s second Scottish Opera commission, “The Lady From The Sea,” premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2012 winning the Herald Angel Award.
Armstrong is currently visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London and was awarded an O.B.E for services to the music industry.
