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Composer  

 

Christopher Hobbs is a British composer and musician who was born on June 17, 1950, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a pianist. Hobbs started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and other instruments. Hobbs studied music at the University of York, where he was introduced to the works of avant-garde composers such as John Cage and Cornelius Cardew. He became interested in experimental music and began composing his own pieces. In 1971, he co-founded the experimental music group, The Scratch Orchestra, with Cardew and other musicians. The Scratch Orchestra was a collective of musicians who rejected traditional musical structures and embraced improvisation and experimentation. Hobbs contributed to the group's performances and compositions, which often involved unconventional instruments and techniques. The group disbanded in 1974, but its influence on experimental music continued. Hobbs continued to compose and perform experimental music, often collaborating with other musicians and artists. In 1976, he co-founded the experimental music group, The Promenade Theatre Orchestra, with Gavin Bryars and Michael Nyman. The group performed in unconventional spaces, such as art galleries and public parks, and incorporated elements of theater and performance art into their shows. Hobbs also worked as a music teacher and lecturer, teaching at various institutions including the University of York and the Royal College of Music. He was a founding member of the British Association of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (BASCA) and served as its chairman from 1982 to 1984. Hobbs' compositions are often experimental and incorporate elements of improvisation and chance. He has composed works for a variety of instruments and ensembles, including chamber music, orchestral pieces, and electronic music. Some of his notable works include "Arctic Circle," a piece for string quartet and tape, and "The Boy with the Disintegrating Head," an opera based on a story by J.G. Ballard. Hobbs has also collaborated with other musicians and artists, including Brian Eno, who produced Hobbs' album "Piano Pieces," and the artist Richard Long, with whom he created the sound installation "A Line Made by Walking." In addition to his work as a composer and musician, Hobbs has written about music and art. He has contributed articles to various publications, including The Guardian and The Wire, and has written several books, including "The Scratching of Angels: More Notes on the Music of Morton Feldman" and "The Sea Inside: A Guide to the Music of John Cage." Hobbs continues to compose and perform music, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the British Composer Award for Innovation in 2014 and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019 for his services to music.

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