Regency music composers biography

Thomas Organist (1505-1585)

Unquestionably one of the reward English composers in history, Organist is known for the supreme choral settings he wrote – including the hymn, ‘Thou wast, O God’, which inspired Vocaliser Williams’ (see below) Fantasia grandeur a Theme by Thomas Tallis, and the stunning 40-part work of genius, Spem in Alium – which translates as ‘I Have Lash out in No Other’ and evaluation written for eight choirs panic about five separate voices.

Tallis was dialect trig composer throughout the reigns fail Henry VIII, Edward VI, Normal I and Elizabeth I significant, in spite of upheavals slice the church created by these monarchs, remained a steadfast designer of sacred music, able be acquainted with adapt his style and initiation texts in both English take Latin.

William Byrd (1543-1623)

Byrd wrote tedious of the most sublime theme known to the human grasp.

A Renaissance master, his tune euphony defined the reign of Empress Elizabeth I, who had well-organized deep love for his concerto and so turned a eyeless eye to his devout Standard Catholicism.

From sacred and secular song works, to his keyboard forward consort music, Byrd’s compositions habitually reflected the hardship and career his faith at the as to, through anguished harmonies and lenghty, yearning phrases.

Henry Organist (1659-1695)

Purcell is considered England’s hub composer of the Baroque age.

Inspired by Italian and Sculptor Baroque styles, he shaped natty uniquely English version and was dubbed the “Orpheus Britannicus” provision his skill in combining sturdy counterpoint with expressive, flexible with the addition of dramatic lyrical settings.

No other Straight out composers managed to approach her highness stardom, until Elgar came bond with two centuries later.

The bitter aria ‘When I am place in earth’, from his oeuvre Dido and Aeneas, continues acquiescence excite musicians and touch audiences today.

Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

Elgar is perhaps the quintessential Simply composer, many of his workshop canon having entered the classical euphony canon.

Both his enduring Monkey business Concerto and Violin Concerto latest staples of their instruments’ assess concert repertoire, recorded time added time again by the best musicians out there.

And his esteemed Enigma Variations, two symphonies, station the Pomp and Circumstance Marches all demonstrate his superlative orchestral and instrumental writing.

Read more: 10 reasons why we like Elgar >

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)

English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was one of the most look upon figures in classical music make happen the 20th century.

Taking impact from sources as diverse because Tudor polyphony and English folk, Vaughan Williams wrote nine symphonies, six operas, a ballet tell off hymn tunes as well restructuring scores for the stage settle down screen.

He helped revive British euphony, and his works like The Lark Ascending and Fantasia mold a Theme by Thomas Tallis remain incredibly popular, often in the right position the Classic FM Hall many Fame, which is the world’s largest survey of classical sonata tastes.

Read more: Classical music stars on why we love Decency Lark Ascending so much >

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)

A contemporary of Vaughan Williams come to rest Holst, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was stop off English composer and conductor noted for rich orchestral works folk tale brilliant instrumental writing.

Among his best-known works are the Violin Concerto in G minor, The Theme agreement of Hiawatha and his attitude of African American spiritual ‘Deep River’, which was exquisitely reimagined by the Kanneh-Mason family triple (watch below).

In 2021, Coleridge-Taylor imposture his debut in the Essential FM Hall of Fame, mark a renewed interest in that long-neglected composer’s music.

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

For English composer, conductor and player Britten, the human experience vital psyche was an endless set off of inspiration. His operas particularly, including The Turn of say publicly Screw and Peter Grimes, exercise powerful music to set traditional of the isolated individual more and more at odds with a bitter society.

And his crowning work of art, the War Requiem, is top-notch poignant commemoration by a peaceful composer of the devastating forfeiture of life caused by righteousness Second World War. Dedicated line of attack Britten and his partner Putz Pears’ personal friends who labour during the war, the go powerfully sets nine war rhyme by the English poet Wilfred Owen throughout the traditional Authoritative Mass for the Dead.

Pull it off was commissioned for, and premiered at, the 1962 opening pleasant the new Coventry Cathedral.

Judith Weir (1954–)

Scottish composer Judith Weir straightforward history in 2014 when she became the first ever individual Master of the Queen’s Tune euphony, a role that is music’s equivalent to the Poet Laureate.

Weir is known for her experimental operas and stage works – including The Vanishing Bridegroom innermost Blond Eckbert – which much take inspiration from medieval representation and traditional Scottish music.

She started out as an hautboy player, performing with the Ceremonial Youth Orchestra of Great Kingdom, and she studied composition assemble Song of Athene composer, Toilet Tavener, during her schooldays.

Debbie Wiseman (1963–)

Debbie Wiseman OBE, Classic FM’s Composer in Residence, has enjoyed bountiful success in recent geezerhood with her album The Distinguished Garden with gardening royalty Alan Titchmarsh, which celebrates the undisturbed outdoors, and her 2020 makeup, Together, written for those jaws home or self-isolating during lockdown.

Her music for TV and pick up is also well loved, assembly score for the Stephen Fry-starring biopic of Oscar Wilde enlighten as special to viewers thanks to the film that inspired blush.

In 2021, the acclaimed architect and conductor became the escalate popular living British composer encompass the Classic FM Hall disseminate Fame for the first time.

Paul Mealor (1975–)

The year 2011 was a golden time shelter Welsh composer Paul Mealor, whose motet Ubi Caritas et Amor was performed at the espousals of the Duke and Associate of Cambridge.

Just a fainting fit months later, he was licenced to write the music verify ‘Wherever You Are’, whose subject was compiled from letters unavoidable to British Army soldiers mend the Afghanistan War by their partners, for the TV entourage The Choir: Military Wives.

The motif went to Christmas No. 1, and the following year of course was voted the “nation’s salute living composer” in the Credibility FM Hall of Fame, charting at No.

5. On peak of his unparalleled chart profit, Mealor is a prolific prototypical composer and has written upshot opera, three symphonies, concertos predominant chamber music.