Role

:

Composer  

 

Rob Keeley is a British composer of classical music, born on May 5, 1960, in Birmingham, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a professional violinist and his mother a pianist. Keeley started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. Keeley attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied composition with Anthony Gilbert and John Casken. He also studied at the University of York, where he earned a Ph.D. in composition under the supervision of Nicola LeFanu. Keeley's music is characterized by its lyrical and expressive qualities, as well as its use of tonality and traditional forms. His works often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and human emotion. One of Keeley's early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1984. The piece is in four movements and showcases Keeley's skill in writing for string instruments. The quartet has been performed by various ensembles, including the Arditti Quartet and the Kreutzer Quartet. In 1990, Keeley composed his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with soloist Peter Donohoe. The concerto is in three movements and features virtuosic piano writing and lush orchestration. The piece has been performed by numerous orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Keeley's choral music is also highly regarded, with works such as his Requiem and his Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis being performed by choirs around the world. His Requiem, composed in 1995, is a setting of the Latin Mass for the Dead and features a large choir, soloists, and orchestra. The piece is notable for its use of traditional choral techniques and its incorporation of contemporary harmonies. In addition to his concert music, Keeley has also composed music for film and television. He has worked on projects such as the BBC drama series "The Lakes" and the film "The Last September." Keeley has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize and the Bliss Trust Composer Bursary. He has also been commissioned by organizations such as the BBC, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Sinfonietta. Keeley is also an active educator, having taught composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester. He has also given masterclasses and workshops around the world, including in the United States, Australia, and China. Overall, Rob Keeley is a highly respected composer of classical music, known for his expressive and lyrical style and his use of traditional forms and tonality. His works have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the contemporary classical music scene.

More....