Michael Garrett is a British composer. He was born in Leicestershire

Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

 in 1944. He has been composing and performing for more than fifty years. His many works extend across a wide range of styles. He has written many symphonic, chamber and instrumental works as well as vocal music and has written extensively for the piano. During the 1960s his early compositions incorporated experiments with serial techniques; and in the years since then he has composed a wealth of 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

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...

, London where he won a scholarship to study with Edmund Rubbra

Edmund Rubbra

Edmund Rubbra 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 of his fame in the mid-20th century. The most famous of his pieces are his eleven...

 (1961–1964). He also studied piano with Frank Merrick

Frank Merrick

Frank Merrick was an English pianist in the early 1900s. He was born in Clifton, now part of Bristol.Merrick's peers included Artur Schnabel and Mark Hambourg, and he studied with Theodor Leschetizky. From 1911 to 1929, he taught at the Royal Manchester College of Music and from 1929 at the Royal...

 who was himself a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky. He composed music for two Ken Russell

Ken Russell

Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...

 films Women in Love

Women in Love (film)

Women in Love is a 1969 British film directed by Ken Russell. It stars Alan Bates , Oliver Reed, Glenda Jackson and Jennie Linden. The film was adapted by Larry Kramer from the novel of the same name by D. H. Lawrence....

 and Savage Messiah

Savage Messiah

Savage Messiah is a 1972 British biographical film of the life of French sculptor Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, made by Russ-Arts and distributed by MGM. It was directed and produced by Ken Russell with Harry Benn as associate producer, from a screenplay by Christopher Logue, based on the book Savage...

. 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

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....

.

He gave the first performances in this UK of John Cage

John Cage

John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...

’s "Concert for Piano and Orchestra", which was conducted by John Cale

John Cale

John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....

 before he moved to the USA and joined The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...

 with Lou Reed

Lou Reed

Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...

.

Garrett was musical director for Lindsay Kemp

Lindsay Kemp

Lindsay Kemp is a British dancer, actor, teacher, mime artist and choreographer.Born in South Shields on May 3, 1938, Kemp's father, a seaman, was lost at sea in 1940. According to Kemp, he danced from early childhood: "I'd dance on the kitchen table to entertain the neighbours. I mean, it was a...

’s mime company, which included David Bowie

David Bowie

David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...

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

SS Canberra

SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997. She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland at a cost of £17,000,000. The ship was named on 17 March 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra...

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

Bill Coleman

William Johnson Coleman was a jazz trumpeter from the swing era.He had his musical debut in 1927. Coleman's first recordings were with the Luis Russell orchestra, but all solos on record went to the rising star Henry "Red" Allen. This led to Bill Coleman's departure from the band. By 1935 he...

 and drummer Art Taylor

Art Taylor

Arthur S. Taylor, Jr. was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers...

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

He now lives in Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...

, Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

 and continues to compose and perform. He regularly performs with and directs The Michael Garrett Ensemble in concerts of his own and other music. His recent works include a fine setting of Robert Burns'

Robert Burns

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...

"Braw lads o’ Gala Water" for soprano and piano. His "Refrain de danse oriental" for wordless soprano is often often accompanied by the composer wearing a fez.

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 "Cameraderie", 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)

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 (2003–1904)
• 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)