Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1949 in London, England

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Orchestral

 

Colin Towns is a British composer, pianist, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 13, 1948, in West Ham, London, Towns grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Towns showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Towns received his formal education in music at the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition, orchestration, and conducting. He also studied jazz piano with the renowned pianist and composer, Bill Evans. After completing his studies, Towns began his career as a composer and pianist, working in various genres of music, including jazz, rock, and classical. Towns' early works were heavily influenced by jazz and rock music. In the 1970s, he was a member of the jazz-rock band, Nucleus, and later formed his own jazz-fusion group, the Colin Towns Mask Orchestra. During this time, he also worked as a session musician, playing keyboards on albums by artists such as John Martyn, Kevin Ayers, and Ian Gillan. In the 1980s, Towns began to focus more on classical music, and his compositions began to reflect this shift. He composed several works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra in 1984. He also composed music for film and television, including the score for the BBC drama series, "The Onedin Line." One of Towns' most significant works is his opera, "The Knot Garden," which premiered at the Royal Opera House in London in 1988. The opera, which was based on a play by Edward Albee, received critical acclaim and established Towns as a major figure in the world of classical music. In the 1990s, Towns continued to compose music for film and television, including the score for the BBC drama series, "Peak Practice." He also composed several works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1995. Towns' music is characterized by its eclectic style, which draws on a wide range of musical influences, including jazz, rock, and classical. His compositions are known for their complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and lush orchestration. In addition to his work as a composer, Towns is also an accomplished pianist and conductor. He has conducted several orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Towns' contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1990, he was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Best Film Theme for his score for the film, "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase." He was also awarded the Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors in 2009. Today, Towns continues to compose music and perform as a pianist and conductor. His most recent works include his Symphony No. 3, which was premiered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015, and his opera, "The Importance of Being Earnest," which premiered at the Royal Opera House in London in 2016. In conclusion, Colin Towns is a highly accomplished composer, pianist, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His eclectic style and wide-ranging musical influences have made him a unique and innovative voice in the world of contemporary classical music.

More....