Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 4, 1935 in Cannock, Staffordshire

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Elgar Howarth is a renowned British conductor, composer, and trumpeter who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on June 3, 1935, in Cannock, Staffordshire, England, Howarth showed an early interest in music and began playing the trumpet at the age of 11. He went on to study at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where he received a scholarship to study trumpet with Maurice Murphy, the principal trumpet player of the London Symphony Orchestra. After completing his studies, Howarth began his career as a freelance trumpeter, performing with various orchestras and ensembles. He also began composing music, and his works were performed by the London Sinfonietta and other prominent ensembles. In 1964, Howarth joined the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble as a trumpeter and arranger, and he remained with the group for over a decade. During this time, he also worked as a conductor, leading performances with the London Sinfonietta, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and other ensembles. In 1977, Howarth was appointed the principal conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held for five years. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including a critically acclaimed recording of Gustav Holst's "The Planets." He also commissioned and premiered several new works, including pieces by Harrison Birtwistle and Peter Maxwell Davies. After leaving the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Howarth continued to work as a conductor and composer, collaborating with a wide range of ensembles and musicians. He also became known for his work as an arranger, creating new versions of classical works for brass ensembles and other groups. In 1984, he founded the London Brass, a brass ensemble that has since become one of the world's leading groups of its kind. Throughout his career, Howarth has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1993, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to music, and in 2003, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music. He has also been recognized for his work as a conductor, receiving the Royal Philharmonic Society Conductor's Award in 1995 and the Elgar Medal in 2015. One of Howarth's most notable achievements as a composer is his opera "The Forest," which premiered in 1977 at the Royal Opera House in London. The opera, which is based on a play by Alexander Ostrovsky, tells the story of a group of peasants who rebel against their oppressive landlord. The work received critical acclaim for its innovative use of music and its powerful portrayal of social and political issues. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Howarth is also known for his contributions to the world of brass music. He has written several books on brass playing and has served as a consultant for numerous brass instrument manufacturers. He has also worked as a teacher, serving on the faculty of the Royal Northern College of Music and other institutions. Overall, Elgar Howarth's career has been marked by a deep commitment to classical music and a willingness to explore new and innovative approaches to composition and performance. His contributions to the world of brass music have been particularly significant, and his work as a conductor and composer has earned him widespread recognition and acclaim.

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