Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1931

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Frederick Fox was a British composer who was born on January 2, 1931, in Walthamstow, London. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Reginald Fox, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Winifred, was a pianist. Frederick showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Fox attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Lennox Berkeley and piano with Harold Craxton. He also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. After completing his studies, he worked as a freelance composer and pianist, and also taught at the Royal Academy of Music. Fox's early works were influenced by the music of Stravinsky and Bartok, and he was also interested in electronic music. In the 1960s, he began to incorporate electronic sounds into his compositions, and he became known for his innovative use of technology in music. One of Fox's most famous works is his Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, which was commissioned by the BBC in 1974. The concerto is known for its virtuosic bassoon writing and its use of electronic sounds. It has been performed by many of the world's leading bassoonists, including Klaus Thunemann and Milan Turkovic. Another notable work by Fox is his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet in 1989. The quartet is known for its complex rhythms and harmonies, and its use of extended techniques such as harmonics and glissandi. Fox also wrote several works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the BBC in 1966. The symphony is known for its use of electronic sounds and its incorporation of jazz and rock influences. In addition to his work as a composer, Fox was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music, the University of York, and the University of California, San Diego. His students included composers such as Judith Weir and Thomas Ades. Fox was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1990 for his services to music. He died on June 12, 2015, at the age of 84. In conclusion, Frederick Fox was a British composer who was known for his innovative use of technology in music. His works were influenced by the music of Stravinsky and Bartok, and he was also interested in electronic music. He wrote several notable works, including his Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra and his String Quartet No. 2. He was also a respected teacher, and his students included composers such as Judith Weir and Thomas Ades. Fox's contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for many years to come.

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