Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1892

Death

:

1983

Genre

:

Choral

 

Derek Williams was a British classical music composer who was born on May 12, 1931, in London, England. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a pianist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Williams began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and composition with his father. He later attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Alan Bush and piano with Harold Craxton. He also studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli. After completing his studies, Williams began his career as a composer, writing music for a variety of ensembles and genres. He was particularly interested in choral music and wrote several works for choir, including his popular "Requiem for a Soldier," which was commissioned by the Royal British Legion and has been performed at numerous Remembrance Day services. Williams also wrote music for orchestra, including his "Symphony No. 1," which was premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra in 1965. He was known for his use of traditional forms and structures in his compositions, as well as his incorporation of folk melodies and other musical influences. In addition to his work as a composer, Williams was also a respected music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was known for his dedication to his students and his passion for music education. Throughout his career, Williams received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1994 for his services to music, and was also awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music in 1996. Williams continued to compose and teach until his death on January 14, 2002, at the age of 70. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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