Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1938 in Bolton, Lancashire, England

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Michael Parsons is a British composer who was born on March 27, 1938, in Bromley, Kent. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a pianist and his mother a singer. Parsons began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received a degree in composition. Parsons' early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1960s, particularly the music of John Cage and Morton Feldman. He was also interested in the work of the Fluxus movement, which emphasized the use of everyday objects and actions in art. Parsons' compositions from this period often featured unconventional instrumentation and performance techniques. One of Parsons' most notable works from this period is "Events and Sounds," a piece for any number of performers that was first performed in 1967. The piece consists of a series of instructions that the performers must follow, such as "make a sound" or "move an object." The result is a chaotic and unpredictable performance that is different every time it is played. In the 1970s, Parsons began to move away from the avant-garde and towards a more traditional approach to composition. He became interested in the music of the Baroque period, particularly the works of J.S. Bach. Parsons' compositions from this period often feature contrapuntal textures and intricate melodic lines. One of Parsons' most well-known works from this period is "String Quartet No. 3," which was composed in 1976. The piece is a tribute to Bach's "Art of Fugue" and features a complex web of interweaving melodies and rhythms. The piece has been performed by many of the world's leading string quartets and is considered a masterpiece of contemporary chamber music. In the 1980s and 1990s, Parsons continued to explore traditional forms and techniques while also incorporating elements of improvisation and chance into his compositions. He became interested in the work of the American composer Earle Brown, who was known for his use of graphic notation and indeterminate elements in his music. One of Parsons' most notable works from this period is "Piano Piece No. 6," which was composed in 1984. The piece consists of a series of graphic notations that the performer must interpret in real-time. The result is a highly improvisational performance that is different every time it is played. In addition to his work as a composer, Parsons has also been a prominent figure in the British new music scene. He co-founded the Scratch Orchestra in 1969, a collective of musicians and artists who were interested in exploring new forms of music-making. The group was known for their experimental performances and their use of unconventional instruments and techniques. Parsons has also been a teacher and mentor to many young composers. He has taught at the Dartington Summer School and the Royal College of Music, among other institutions. His students include the composers Howard Skempton and Christopher Fox. In conclusion, Michael Parsons is a British composer who has had a significant impact on the contemporary classical music scene. His early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1960s, while his later works have incorporated elements of traditional forms and techniques. He has been a prominent figure in the British new music scene and has been a mentor to many young composers.

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