1948 in British music

This is a summary of 1948 in music in the United Kingdom.

Events

10 January – The Amadeus Quartet gives its first recital under this name, at the Wigmore Hall in London, underwritten by Imogen Holst.
16 January – The day after her New York concert debut, Kathleen Ferrier writes to her sister: "Some of the critics are enthusiastic, others unimpressed".
17 April – The death of Alice, Viscountess Wimborne, lover of William Walton, ends their 14-year affair.
21 April
*Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 6 is premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult at the Royal Albert Hall in London and broadcast on the BBC Home Service.
*The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain gives its first concert.
5 June – Opening of the first Aldeburgh Festival, founded by Benjamin Britten, Eric Crozier and Peter Pears.
13 October – Kathleen Ferrier joins Sir John Barbirolli and the Hallé Orchestra in a broadcast performance of Mahler's song cycle Kindertotenlieder.
October – The Duke of Edinburgh is introduced to musical comedy star Pat Kirkwood in her dressing room after a show. They are seen together at a restaurant, creating a scandal in the newspapers.
13 October – William Walton marries Susana Gil Passo.
date unknown
*Steuart Wilson becomes head of music at the BBC; the appointment will result in the forced retirement of Sir Adrian Boult as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
*Harman Grisewood replaces George Barnes as controller of the BBC Third Programme.
*The National School of Opera is founded by Joan Cross.

Malcolm Arnold – The Smoke, Op. 21
Arnold Bax – Magnificat
Benjamin Britten – Saint Nicolas, for tenor soloist, children's chorus, chorus, and orchestra
Michael Tippett – Suite in D for the Birthday of Prince Charles
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Partita for Double String Orchestra

10 March – Carissima, starring Ginger Rogers and David Hughes, opens at the Palace Theatre and runs for 488 performances.
22 December – High Button Shoes opens at the Hippodrome and runs for 291 performances.

9 January – Violet Gordon-Woodhouse, harpsichordist and clavichordist, 75
21 February – Frederic Lamond, pianist, 80
17 May – David Evans, composer, 74
14 June – John Blackwood McEwen, composer, 80
8 July – Reginald Somerville, composer and actor, 81
20 August – David John de Lloyd, composer, 65
12 September – Rupert D'Oyly Carte, impresario, 70
20 November – Robert Carr, baritone, 67
24 November – Nellie Wallace, music hall star, actress, comedian, dancer and songwriter, 78
14 December – R. O. Morris, British composer and teacher, 62
31 December – Ethel Barns, violinist, pianist and composer, 74