Michael Garrett (composer)


Michael Garrett was a British composer, born in Leicestershire. 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, London where he won a scholarship to study with Edmund Rubbra. He also studied piano with Frank Merrick who was himself a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky. He composed music for two Ken Russell films Women in Love and Savage Messiah. 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.
He gave the first performances in the UK of John Cage's "Concert for Piano and Orchestra", which was conducted by John Cale before he moved to the US and joined The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed.
Garrett was musical director for Lindsay Kemp's mime company, which included David Bowie and toured Britain and Europe. He was music director on Lindsey Kemp's film during which he plays piano. He composed music for television documentaries and was bandleader on the liner Canberra on a world cruise. He recorded in Paris with jazz trumpeter Bill Coleman and drummer Art Taylor. The album 'Bill Coleman Plus Four' 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 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' "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 A New Renaissance, Symphonie Concertante for woodwind, strings and percussion, Op. 9 Xystus for string orchestra, Op. 19 Xystus II for small orchestra, Op. 25 Xystus V for string orchestra, Op. 36
  • Symphony No. 2, Op. 37 Concert Prelude No. 1 "London Lights", Op. 40
  • Symphony No. 3, Op. 46 Concert Prelude No. 2 "A Subterranean Holiday", Op. 55
  • Symphony No. 4, Op. 56 Vivaldi in Nebraska, 12 Symphonies Concertantes, Op. 60
  • Symphony No. 5, Op. 61 Concert Prelude No. 3 "Camaraderie", Op. 68 Dream Suite "The Far Islands", Op. 69
  • Symphony No. 6, Op. 75
  • Symphony No. 7, Op. 82 Fantasia No. 1 for string orchestra, Op. 93 Fantasia No. 2 for string orchestra, Op. 111
  • Symphony No. 8, Op. 121 Notturno No. 1, Op. 125 Notturno No. 2, Op. 130
  • Concerto for small orchestra, Op. 143
  • Symphony No. 9, Op. 144
  • Symphony No. 10, Op. 148 Preludio for string orchestra, Op. 149
  • Symphony No. 12 "Le Retour du Printemps" in 1 movement, Op. 200Fantasia No. 3 for string orchestra, Op. 215
  • Symphony No. 13, Op. 225

Concertante

Sinfonia for piano and orchestra, Op. 7 Fantasie Elegie for piano and orchestra, Op. 24
  • Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 28
  • Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 41
  • Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 57
  • Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 62 Four Pieces for violin and small orchestra, Op. 64
  • Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 78
  • Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 81 Xystus VII for piano and string orchestra, Op. 90 Fantasia-Burlesque for piano and orchestra, Op. 102 Fantasia for cello and orchestra, Op. 104 Phantasy-Capriccio for violin and orchestra, Op. 112
  • Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 127

Chamber music

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

Organ

Epithalamion I, Op. 203 Epithalamion II, Op. 206

Piano

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

Vocal

Canticle of the Sun for voices, performed as part of Lindsay Kemp's performance at the Purcell Room Three Night Songs for tenor and piano, Op. 58 Prelude for soprano, flute and piano, Op. 100 The Presence of Pan, 3 Songs for tenor and piano, Op. 114 Wanderings I, Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 124 Wanderings II, Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 126 2 Songs for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 134 Wanderings III, 4 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 137 Of the moon, Wind and Sky, 3 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 146 Searching for Spring, Song for high voice and piano, Op. 154 Wanderings IV, 4 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 160 Promenade en forme de paean for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 161 Wanderings V, 2 Songs of the Night for voice and piano, Op. 163 Refrain de danse oriental for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello, piano and percussion, Op. 167 Music Comes for voice and piano, Op. 170 Listening for voice and piano, Op. 172 2 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 174 Refrain de danse oriental for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, large tom-toms or congas, tambourine and small gong, Op. 189 Braw lads o' Gala Water for soprano and piano, Op. 192 Wanderings VI, 6 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 202 Wanderings VII, 4 Songs for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 222 Bagatelle: "Souls Renewed", Song for voice and piano, Op. 223

Choral

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