Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

1958

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Howard Goodall is a British composer, conductor, and broadcaster who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 26, 1958, in Bromley, Kent, England, Goodall grew up in a musical family. His father was a vicar and a keen amateur musician, while his mother was a professional singer. Goodall started playing the piano at the age of five and showed an early talent for music. Goodall attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied music and was a member of the choir. After graduating, he worked as a music teacher and composer, writing music for television and film. In 1985, he composed the theme music for the popular British comedy series "Blackadder," which became one of his most famous works. Goodall's career as a composer took off in the 1990s when he began writing music for the stage. He composed the music for the hit musical "The Hired Man," which premiered in 1984 and was later revived in 2007. He also wrote the music for the musical adaptation of "The Kissing-Dance," which premiered in 1998. In addition to his work in musical theater, Goodall has composed a number of choral works, including "Eternal Light: A Requiem," which premiered in 2008. The piece was commissioned by the London Symphony Chorus and was inspired by the death of Goodall's mother. It has since been performed by choirs around the world and has become one of Goodall's most popular works. Goodall is also known for his work as a broadcaster and presenter. He has hosted a number of television programs about music, including "How Music Works" and "The Story of Music." He has also written several books about music, including "The Story of Music" and "Big Bangs: The Story of Five Discoveries That Changed Musical History." Throughout his career, Goodall has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2011, he was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music education. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Kent and the University of Sussex. Goodall's music is known for its accessibility and emotional depth. He has a gift for writing melodies that are both memorable and moving, and his choral works are particularly renowned for their beauty and power. His music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, and he continues to be a major figure in the world of classical music.

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