Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

August 23, 1905 in London, England

Death

:

August 21, 1951 in London, England

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Ballet

 

 

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Constant Lambert was a British composer, conductor, and pianist who was born on August 23, 1905, in London, England. He was the son of George Washington Lambert, an Australian painter, and Amy Beatrice, an English musician. Lambert's parents separated when he was young, and he was raised by his mother, who was a talented pianist and composer. Lambert showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He later studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Ralph Vaughan Williams and George Dyson. He also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, where he was introduced to the music of Stravinsky and other modern composers. Lambert's early compositions were influenced by the French impressionists, particularly Debussy and Ravel. His first major work, the ballet Romeo and Juliet, was premiered in 1926 and was well received by critics and audiences alike. The ballet was later revised and became one of Lambert's most popular works. In 1928, Lambert founded the Vic-Wells Ballet Company (later known as the Sadler's Wells Ballet), which became one of the leading ballet companies in the world. He served as the company's music director and conductor, and he composed several ballets for the company, including Horoscope, Pomona, and Tiresias. Lambert's music was characterized by its rhythmic vitality and harmonic complexity. He was influenced by jazz and popular music, and he incorporated these elements into his compositions. His music was also influenced by his interest in literature and the visual arts, and he often used literary and visual themes in his works. One of Lambert's most famous works is The Rio Grande, a ballet that was premiered in 1929. The ballet was inspired by the music and culture of Mexico, and it featured a score that combined elements of Mexican folk music with jazz and classical music. The ballet was a huge success and helped to establish Lambert's reputation as one of the leading composers of his generation. Lambert's other major works include the ballets Horoscope, Pomona, and Tiresias, as well as the concert works The Bird Actors and Summer's Last Will and Testament. He also wrote several film scores, including the music for the 1948 film Anna Karenina. In addition to his work as a composer, Lambert was also a respected conductor and pianist. He conducted many of his own works, as well as the works of other composers, and he was known for his dynamic and expressive conducting style. He also performed as a pianist, both as a soloist and as an accompanist. Lambert's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1951 at the age of 45. He died of pneumonia, which was complicated by his long-standing battle with alcoholism. Despite his relatively short career, Lambert left a lasting legacy as one of the most innovative and influential composers of his generation. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and his influence can be heard in the works of many contemporary composers.

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