Michael Garrett (17 June 1944–23 August 2023) was a British composer, born in

Leicestershire Leicestershire ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It is bordered by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire to the north, Rutland to the east, Northamptonshire to the south-east, Warw ...

. He was active in composing and performing for more than fifty years. His many works extend across a wide range of styles.

Career

He wrote many symphonic, chamber and instrumental works as well as vocal music and wrote extensively for the piano. During the 1960s his early compositions incorporated experiments with serial techniques; and in the years since then composed music in a more melodic vein. He began studying the piano and composing in 1956 and studied at The

Guildhall School of Music and Drama The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a music school, music and drama school located in the City of London, England. Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz al ...

, London where he won a scholarship to study with

Edmund Rubbra Edmund Rubbra (; 23 May 190114 February 1986) was a British composer. He composed both instrumental and vocal works for soloists, chamber groups and full choruses and orchestras. He was greatly esteemed by fellow musicians and was at the peak o ...

(1961–1964). He also studied piano with Frank Merrick who was himself a pupil of

Theodor Leschetizky Theodor Leschetizky (sometimes spelled Leschetitzky; ; 22 June 1830 – 14 November 1915) was a Polish pianist, professor, and composer active in Austria-Hungary. He was born in Landshut in the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, then a crown land ...

. He composed music for two

Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films were mainly liberal adaptations of ...

films ''

Women in Love ''Women in Love'' is a 1920 novel by English author D. H. Lawrence. It is a sequel to his earlier novel, '' The Rainbow'' (1915), and follows the continuing loves and lives of the Brangwen sisters, Gudrun and Ursula. Gudrun Brangwen, an arti ...

'' (1969) and '' Savage Messiah'' (1972). He worked as composer and pianist in the theatre, gave piano recitals of jazz and experimental music, and also composed a jingle for the

Scottish Gas Board The Scottish Gas Board was a state-owned utility providing gas for light and heat to industries and homes in Scotland. The Board was established on 1 May 1949, and dissolved in 1973 when it became a region of the British Gas Corporation. Probl ...

. He gave the first performances in the UK of

John Cage John Milton Cage Jr. (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was an American composer and music theorist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and Extended technique, non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one ...

's "Concert for Piano and Orchestra", which was conducted by

John Cale John Davies Cale (born 9 March 1942) is a Welsh musician, composer, and record producer who was a founding member of the American rock band the Velvet Underground. Over his six-decade career, Cale has worked in various styles across rock, dr ...

before he moved to the US and joined

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with

Lou Reed Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942October 27, 2013) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. Althoug ...

. Garrett was musical director for Lindsay Kemp's mime company, which included

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

and toured Britain and Europe. He was music director on Lindsey Kemp's fil
'Pierrot In Turquoise'
during which he plays piano. He composed music for television documentaries and was bandleader on the liner ''

Canberra Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...

'' on a world cruise. He recorded in Paris with jazz trumpeter Bill Coleman and drummer

Art Taylor Arthur S. Taylor Jr. (April 6, 1929 – February 6, 1995) was an American jazz drummer, who "helped define the sound of modern jazz drumming".Watrous, Peter (February 7, 1995)"Art Taylor, 65, Jazz Drummer Who Inspired Young Musicians" ''The Ne ...

. The album 'Bill Coleman Plus Four' (JCD196) remains available as a download.

Personal life

Born in Leicester, he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and lived and worked in London for the early part of his musical career. He taught music and piano. He married Jane Brogan who was from Edinburgh and with whom he had a daughter, Clare born 2.10.1968. In 1974 he married Anne Maitland Hunter ( now Robertson ) Both these marriages ended in divorce. He lived in Edinburgh for two main periods and in London from 1975 until 2001 London. On returning to Edinburgh in 2001,he created and regularly performed and directed The Michael Garrett Ensemble in concerts of his own and other music. His recent works include a setting of

Robert Burns Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the List of national poets, national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the be ...

' "Braw lads o' Gala Water" for soprano and piano. His "Refrain de danse oriental" for wordless soprano is often accompanied by the composer wearing a fez. In his late sixties he met Ishbel Maltman whom he married in 2014 when he was 70. Ishbel survives him.

List of works

Orchestral

* ''The Spirit of Modernity'', Op. 8a (1980–1985) * ''A New Renaissance'', Symphonie Concertante for woodwind, strings and percussion, Op. 9 (1973–1974) * ''Xystus'' for string orchestra, Op. 19 (1982) * ''Xystus II'' for small orchestra, Op. 25 (1984) * ''Xystus V'' for string orchestra, Op. 36 (1985) * Symphony No. 2, Op. 37 (1985) * ''Concert Prelude No. 1 "London Lights"'', Op. 40 (1985) * Symphony No. 3, Op. 46 (1986) * ''Concert Prelude No. 2 "A Subterranean Holiday"'', Op. 55 (1987) * Symphony No. 4, Op. 56 (1987) * ''Vivaldi in Nebraska'', 12 Symphonies Concertantes, Op. 60 (1985–1988) * Symphony No. 5, Op. 61 (1988) * ''Concert Prelude No. 3 "Camaraderie"'', Op. 68 (1989) * ''Dream Suite "The Far Islands"'', Op. 69 (1989) * Symphony No. 6, Op. 75 (1989) * Symphony No. 7, Op. 82 (1990) * ''Fantasia No. 1'' for string orchestra, Op. 93 (1992) * ''Fantasia No. 2'' for string orchestra, Op. 111 (1996) * Symphony No. 8, Op. 121 (1997–1998) * ''Notturno No. 1'', Op. 125 (1999) * ''Notturno No. 2'', Op. 130 (1999–2000) * Concerto for small orchestra, Op. 143 (2002–2003) * Symphony No. 9, Op. 144 (2002) * Symphony No. 10, Op. 148 (2002–2003) * ''Preludio'' for string orchestra, Op. 149 (2003) * Symphony No. 12 ''"Le Retour du Printemps"'' in 1 movement, Op. 200 * ''Fantasia No. 3'' for string orchestra, Op. 215 (2009) * Symphony No. 13, Op. 225 (2009)

Concertante

* ''Sinfonia'' for piano and orchestra, Op. 7 (1965–1966) * ''Fantasie Elegie'' for piano and orchestra, Op. 24 (1984) * Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 28 (1984) * Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 41 (1985) * Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 57 (1987–1988) * Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 62 (1988) * ''Four Pieces'' for violin and small orchestra, Op. 64 (1988) * Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 78 (1990) * Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 81 (1990) * ''Xystus VII'' for piano and string orchestra, Op. 90 (1992) * ''Fantasia-Burlesque'' for piano and orchestra, Op. 102 (1994) * ''Fantasia'' for cello and orchestra, Op. 104 (1994) * ''Phantasy-Capriccio'' for violin and orchestra, Op. 112 (1996) * Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 127 (1999)

Chamber music

* ''Variation'' for violin and piano, Op. 2 (1960–1961) * ''3 Elegies'' for string quartet and piano obligato, Op. 3 (1961) * String Trio No. 1, Op. 5 (1962) * String Quartet, Op. 5a (1st version); arrangement of String Trio No. 1 for string quartet * ''A New Renaissance'' for piano solo, brass and percussion, Op. 9a (1973–1974) * String Quartet No. 11, Op. 5b (2nd version) (1982); arrangement of String Trio No. 1 for string quartet * ''Fantasia'' for trombone and piano, Op. 22 (1983–1984) * ''Partita'' for string quartet, Op. 30 (1984) * ''Variation II'' for violin and piano, Op. 31 (1981–1984) * ''Xystus III'' for brass octet, Op. 32 (1984–1985) * ''Suite'' for viola and piano, Op. 34 (1985) * ''Xystus IV'' for woodwind, strings, tambourine and percussion, Op. 35 (1984–1985) * ''Phantasy'', Suite for cello and piano, Op. 38 (1985) * ''3 Pieces'' for flute and piano, Op. 42 (1985) * ''Xystus VI'' for string quartet, Op. 43 (1985) * ''Suite'' for violin and piano, Op. 48 (1986) * ''Several Apertures'' for clarinet and piano, Op. 50 (1986) * String Trio No. 2, Op. 51 (1986) * ''3 Fantasies'' for string quartet, Op. 63 (1988) * ''Partita "Several Opportunities"'' for 2 oboes, English horn and 2 bassoons, Op. 65 (1989) * ''3 Pieces'' for viola and piano, Op. 70 (1989) * Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano, Op. 71 (1989) * Sonatina for oboe and piano, Op. 72 (1989) * String Quartet No. 2, Op. 73 (1989) * Sonatina for trumpet and piano, Op. 74 (1989) * Sonatine for bassoon and piano, Op. 76 (1989) * Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 77 (1989–1990) * String Quartet No. 3, Op. 80 (1990) * ''Xystus VII'' for string quartet, Op. 87 (1991) * ''Xystus X'' for string quartet and piano, Op. 92 (1992) * Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 101 (1993–1994) * ''Phantasy'', Variations for alto saxophone with flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano, Op. 103 (1994) * String Quartet No. 4, Op. 105 (1994) * Sonata for violin and piano, Op. 107 (1995) * Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 110 (1996) * ''A Summer Idyll'' for flute and piano, Op. 123 (1998) * Sontas No. 3 for violin and piano, Op. 129 (1999) * String Quartet No. 5, Op. 131 (2000) * Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 132 (2000) * ''Notturno e fantasia'' for violin and piano, Op. 135 (2001) * String Quartet No. 6, Op. 139 (2001–2002) * Sonata No. 4 for violin and piano, Op. 141 (2002) * ''Eglogue'', Notturno for clarinet and piano, Op. 155 (2005) * ''Three Pieces'' for cello solo, Op. 159 (2006) * ''Promenade en forme de paean'' for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 161 (2006) * String Quartet No. 7, Op. 164 (2006) * ''Poeme-Arabesque No. 1'' for violin and piano, Op. 165 (2006) * Prelude and fughetta'' for flute, clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 166 (2006) * ''2 Pieces'' for flute and piano, Op. 168 (2006) * ''2 Pieces'' for clarinet and piano, Op. 171 (2006) * ''Poem-Arabesque No. 2 "Toccata Exotique"'' for violin and piano, Op. 176 (2006) * ''Soggiorno nell'isola di thule dove la vita e lenta e felice'' for cello and piano, Op. 177 (2007) * ''Introduction and Round Dance'' for clarinet (or violin, or flute) and piano, Op. 179 (2007) * ''2 Pieces'' for flute or violin and piano, Op. 180 (2007) * ''Canzona'' for flute, oboe, clarinet or violin and piano with cello obligato, Op. 182 (2007) * ''Variations'' for clarinet and piano, Op. 184 (2007) * ''Aria (A Dream Promenade)'' for trumpet or flugelhorn and piano, Op. 196 (2008) * ''Gala Water'' for trumpet or flugelhorn and piano, Op. 197 (2008) * ''4 Pieces'' for violin and piano, Op. 198 (2008) * ''Suite Concertante'' for flute with piccolo, clarinet, trumpet, flugelhorn, violin, cello and piano, Op. 199 (2008) * ''Poeme-Arabesque No. 3'' for violin and piano, Op. 208 (2008) * String Quartet No. 8, Op. 210 (2008–2009) * ''Poeme-Arabesque No. 4'' for violin and piano, Op. 218 (2009) * Piano Quartet, Op. 219 (2009) * ''3 Pieces'' for clarinet and piano, Op. 220 (2009) * ''2 Pieces'' for trumpet and piano, Op. 221 (2009)

Organ

* ''Epithalamion I'', Op. 203 (2008) * ''Epithalamion II'', Op. 206 (2008)

Piano

* ''12 Fughettas (Hommage to Hindemith)'', Op. 1 (1958) * ''4 Extensions'', Op. 4 (1962) * ''5 Pieces'', Op. 6 (1962–1963) * ''The Spirit of Modernity'', Op. 8 (1972–1973) * ''The Spirit of Modernity'', Extracts, Op. 8b (1985) * ''The Book of Circe'', 100 Pieces in 10 Volumes, Op. 10 (1969–1976) * ''4 Songs without Words'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 10a (1975) * Piano Sonata No. 2 ''Sursum Animus'', Op. 11 (1977–1978) * Piano Sonata No. 3 ''Petites Images'', Op. 12 (1978–1980) * ''Miniature Suite'', Op. 13 (1978–1980) * Piano Sonata No. 4 ''Sonata eclectica'', Op. 14 (1981) * ''Aux pas 1'', 12 Preludes, Op. 15 (1981–1982) * ''7 Symphonic Impressions'', Op. 16 (1980–1982) * Piano Sonata No. 5 ''An Almanac Gospel'', Op. 17 (1982) * Piano Sonata No. 6 in G major ''In nominee'', Op. 18 (1982) * ''Aidos I'', Op. 20 (1982–1983) * ''Aux pas II'', 15 Preludes, Op. 21 (1983) * Suite for 2 pianos, Op. 23 (1984) * ''Aidos II'', 10 Pieces, Op. 26 (1983–1984) * ''Sontas'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 29 (1984) * Suite No. 1 for piano 4-hands, Op. 33 (1985) * Suite No. 2 for piano 4-hands ''Suite de salon'', Op. 33a (1985) * Piano Sonata No. 7 ''Prolation'', Op. 44 (1985) * ''Aidos III'', 15 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 45 (1986) * ''Aux pas III'', 16 Preludes, Op. 47 (1986) * Piano Sonata No. 8 ''Chiaroscuro'', Op. 49 (1986) * Piano Sonata No. 9 ''Lied von Arbeit'', Op. 52 (1986) * Suite No. 3 for piano 4-hands, Op. 53 (1986) * Sonata for 2 pianos, Op. 54 (1987) * Piano Sonata No. 10 ''An ode to the laconic idiom'', Op. 59 (1988) * Piano Sonata No. 11 ''Sonata da camera'', Op. 66 (1989) * ''Aidos IV'', 12 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 79 (1990) * ''Aidos V'', 3 Fantasias, Op. 83 (1990) * ''Aidos VI'', 3 Fantasias and Toccatas, Op. 84 (1990–1991) * ''Aux pas IV'', 2 Preludes, Op. 85 (1990–1991) * ''Aidos VII'', 14 Pieces in the Form of Fughettas, Op. 86 (1991) * ''Aux pas V'', 5 Preludes, Op. 88 (1991) * ''Aidos VIII'', 7 Pieces in Canonic Form, Op. 89 (1991–1992) * ''Aux pas VI'', 10 Preludes, Op. 94 (1992) * ''Aux pas VII'', 8 Preludes, Op. 95 (1992–1993) * ''Aidos X'', 5 Pieces, Op. 96 (1993) * ''Xystlis XI'', Op. 97 (1993) * ''Aidos X'', 5 Pieces, Op. 98 (1993) * ''Revelry'', Op. 99 (1993) * ''The Spirit of Modernity'', Part II for 2 pianos, Op. 102a (1994) * ''Partita No. 2'', Op. 108 (1995) * Piano Sonata No. 12, Op. 113 (1997) * Piano Sonata No. 13, Op. 115 (1997) * Suite No. 2, Op. 116 (1996–1997) * Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 117 (1997) * ''Aux pas VIII'', Op. 118 (1997) * ''2 Nocturnes'', Op. 119 (1997) * Piano Sonata No. 15, Op. 120 (1997) * Piano Sonata No. 16, Op. 122 (1998) * ''Introduction and Promenade'' for 2 pianos 8-hands, Op. 128 (1999) * Piano Sonata No. 17 ''Seascapes'', Op. 133 (2000) * Piano Sonata No. 18, Op. 138 (2001) * ''Berceuse, Introduction and Promenade'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 140 (2002) * ''3 Night Visuals'', Op. 142 (2002) * ''Nexus Enantiodromia'', 10 Inventions Humoresques, Op. 145 (2002) * Piano Sonata No. 19, Op. 147 (2002) * Piano sonata No. 20, Op. 150 (2003) * ''Fantasia eclectica'', Op. 151 (2003) * ''3 Idylls and Toccatas'', Op. 152 (2003–20??) * Piano Sonata No. 21, Op. 153 (2004–2005) * ''Variations MIX "Nozze Strane"'', Op. 157 (2005–2006) * ''Masque Gothique'', 2 Pieces, Op. 162 (2006) * ''Passacaglia'', Op. 169 (2006) * ''Miniature Suite No. 2'', Op. 175 (2007) * ''Mignon'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 178 (2007) * Piano Sonata No. 22, Op. 181 (2007) * ''Miniature Suite No. 3'', Op. 183 (2007) * ''Landscapes and Festival'', Op. 185 (2007) * ''Miniature Suite No. 4'', Op. 186 (2007) * ''2 Preludes'', Op. 187 (2007) * ''Miniature Suite No. 5'', Op. 188 (2007) * Sonatina No. 2, Op. 190 (2007) * Sonatina No. 3, Op. 191 (2007) * ''Due brani in fusione de stile'', Op. 193 (2007) * ''Mignon II'', An Arabesque for piano 4-hands, Op. 194 (2008) * ''Gala Water'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 195 (2008) * ''Mignon III'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 201 (2008) * Piano Sonata No. 23 ''Pastoral Variants'', Op. 204 (2008) * ''Canzona'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 205 (2008) * Piano Sonata No. 24 ''Fantasia-Sonata'', Op. 207 (2008) * Piano Sonata No. 25 ''Exotic Spirit Winds'', Op. 209 (2008) * ''Trois esquisses'', Op. 211 (2009) * ''Chorale and Variations'', Op. 214 (2009) * ''2 Pieces'', Op. 216 (2009) * Piano Sonata No. 26, Op. 217 (2009) * ''20 Miniature Pieces'', Op. 224 (2009)

Vocal

* ''Three Night Songs'' for tenor and piano, Op. 58 (1988) * ''Prelude'' for soprano, flute and piano, Op. 100 (1993) * ''The Presence of Pan'', 3 Songs for tenor and piano, Op. 114 (1996–1997) * ''Wanderings I'', Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 124 (1998) * ''Wanderings II'', Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 126 (1998–1999) * ''2 Songs'' for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 134 (2000) * ''Wanderings III'', 4 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 137 (2001) * ''Of the moon, Wind and Sky'', 3 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 146 (2002) * ''Searching for Spring'', Song for high voice and piano, Op. 154 (2005) * ''Wanderings IV'', 4 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 160 (2006) * ''Promenade en forme de paean'' for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 161 (2006) * ''Wanderings V'', 2 Songs of the Night for voice and piano, Op. 163 (2006) * ''Refrain de danse oriental'' for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello, piano and percussion, Op. 167 (2006) * ''Music Comes'' for voice and piano, Op. 170 (2006) * ''Listening'' for voice and piano, Op. 172 (2007) * ''2 Songs'' for voice and piano, Op. 174 (2007) * ''Refrain de danse oriental'' for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, large tom-toms or congas, tambourine and small gong, Op. 189 (2007) * ''Braw lads o' Gala Water'' for soprano and piano, Op. 192 (2007) * ''Wanderings VI'', 6 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 202 (2008) * ''Wanderings VII'', 4 Songs for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 222 (2009) * ''Bagatelle: "Souls Renewed"'', Song for voice and piano, Op. 223 (2010)

Choral

* Symphony No. 1 for large orchestra, mixed chorus, off stage brass and male voice choir, Op. 27 (1984) * ''3 Choruses'' for unaccompanied six-part male voice choir, Op. 39 (1985) * ''Three Night Pieces'' for unaccompanied choir, Op. 67 (1989) * ''Xystus IX'' for orchestra with female choir, Op. 91 (1992) * ''Xystus XII'' for piano and orchestra, women's choir and rock percussionist, Op. 106 (1993–1995) * ''Dream Suite No. 2 "Into the Dawn"'' for soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, choir and orchestra, Op. 109 (1995–1996) * ''Night Song'' and ''In to Dawn'' – omitting one trumpet and one harp, Op. 109a (1996) * ''Evocations'', 7 Songs for soprano, baritone, choir and orchestra, Op. 136 (2000–2001) * Symphony No. 11 for soloists, choir and orchestra, Op. 156 (2003–2005) * ''2 Pastorales'' for a cappella choir, Op. 158 (2006) * ''The Healing Moon'', 2 Pieces for mixed choir a cappella, Op. 173 (2006–2007) * ''Three Scenes'' for unaccompanied choir, Op. 213 (2009)

References

Scottish Music Centre
– Profile of Michael Garrett
A Brief Survey of Michael Garrett's Piano Sonatas by David Hackbridge JohnsonBritish Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors – Profile of Michael Garrett
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garrett, Michael 1944 births 2023 deaths English composers Musicians from Leicestershire Alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama