INTERNATIONALLY distinguished composer David Fanshawe, most famous for composing the acclaimed choral work African Sanctus, has died aged 68, following a stroke.

Mr Fanshawe also composed the soundtrack to the film Tarka the Otter and his recordings featured in the films Seven Years in Tibet and Gangs of New York.

The well-travelled composer was a vice-president of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and regularly attended their performances and annual general meetings.

He was the recipient of many international awards including a Churchill Fellowship and an Ivor Novello award and made an honorary doctor of music by the University of the West of England.

African Sanctus came about through his ambition to record indigenous music, which saw him journey through the Middle East, North and East Africa.

One of the most performed large-scale works of the 20th century, African Sanctus probably signalled the beginning of world music, which fuses western classical music with ethnic music, said Carolyn Date, chorus manager of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus.

In 1994 Mr Fanshawe asked the Chorus to make his new definitive recording of African Sanctus, which was recorded at Lighthouse, Poole.

Mr Fanshawe always wore what he called his spirit cap, given to him in Africa by a tribal chief.

When signing autographs he would sketch himself sitting on a camel wearing the cap and write the words “I love the world”.

Ms Date described Mr Fanshawe as a “unique” person and said the choir would all miss him.

She said: “He was a great champion of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and thought very highly of us. He lived in Wiltshire but told me he wanted to move to Bournemouth because he loved the beach.”

Mr Fanshawe died before he could complete his new major work, Pacific Odyssey.

The BSC plans a special performance of African Sanctus in his memory, said Ms Date.

He married twice – first to Judith and then to Jane – and there are three children, Rachel, Alexander and Rebecca.