Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1949

 

Richard Baker was a British composer and conductor who was born on January 15, 1938, in London, England. He was the son of a professional musician and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Baker began his musical education at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Lennox Berkeley and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. He also studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Nadia Boulanger, who was a renowned teacher of composition. Baker's early compositions were influenced by the music of Stravinsky, Bartok, and Shostakovich, and he was known for his use of complex rhythms and harmonies. His first major work was a ballet called "The Spider's Feast," which was premiered by the Royal Ballet in 1962. In the 1960s, Baker became interested in electronic music and began experimenting with tape manipulation and synthesis. He composed several works for tape, including "Migrations" and "The Tyranny of Fun," which were both premiered at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Baker's most famous work is probably his opera "The Tyrant," which was premiered at the English National Opera in 1967. The opera is based on the life of the Roman emperor Nero and features a libretto by poet Christopher Logue. The opera was well-received by critics and established Baker as one of the leading composers of his generation. In addition to his work as a composer, Baker was also a respected conductor. He was the principal conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1971 to 1976 and also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Baker's later works were more tonal and accessible than his earlier compositions. He composed several works for orchestra, including "Concerto for Orchestra" and "Symphony No. 1," which were both premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Baker continued to compose and conduct until his death on March 28, 2016, at the age of 78. He was remembered as a pioneering composer who pushed the boundaries of classical music and as a conductor who brought out the best in his musicians.

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