Christopher Gordon (composer)

Christopher Gordon
Deputy Mayor of Ryde
In office
26 September 2017 – 11 September 2018
Mayor Jerome Laxale
Preceded by Jane Stott
Succeeded by Simon Zhou
Councillor of the City of Ryde
for East Ward
In office
9 September 2017 – 4 December 2021
Personal details
Born 1956
Political party Greens New South Wales (since 2017)

Christopher John Gordon (born 1956) is an English-born Australian composer and politician best known for his film scores, but has also received major classical commissions. His film scores include, Ladies in Black (2018), Mao's Last Dancer (2009), Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) and On the Beach (2000).

In 2016, Gordon ran for the Arts Party in the City of Ryde based seat of Bennelong, achieving 1.08% of the vote.

In 2017, he was elected as councillor on the East Ward of the City of Ryde for the Greens and was chosen as deputy mayor, serving a single term in 2017-2018. Gordon sought re-election for a second term on Council on 4 December 2021, but was unsuccessful.

Awards and nominations

Gordon has won national awards for composition, both in Australia and overseas.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998 Moby Dick (Christopher Gordon) APRA Awards: Best Television Theme Won
2000 On the Beach (Gordon) Australian Screen Music Awards: Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie Won
Australian Screen Music Awards: Best Original Title Theme for a Series, Serial or Mini-Series Won
Australian Screen Music Awards: Best Soundtrack Album Won
2001 When Good Ghouls Go Bad (Gordon) Australian Screen Music Awards: Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie Won
2004 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Gordon, Iva Davies, Richard Tognetti ASCAP Awards: Top Box Office Films Won
2005 Salem's Lot (Gordon, Lisa Gerrard) Primetime Emmy Nomination: Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Dramatic Underscore) Nominated
2009 Mao's Last Dancer (Gordon) AFI Awards: Best Music Score Won
2010 Mao's Last Dancer (Gordon) ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album Nominated
2018 Ladies in Black (Gordon) AACTA Awards: Best Original Score Won
2021 June Again (Gordon) AACTA Awards: Best Original Score Won

Film scores