Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

September 19, 1924 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England

Death

:

June 12, 2015 in Longridge, Lancashire, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Ernest Tomlinson was a British composer who was born on September 19, 1924, in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Harry Tomlinson, was a conductor and composer, and his mother, Edith Tomlinson, was a pianist. Ernest Tomlinson began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and violin with his mother. He later studied composition with Richard Hall at the Royal Manchester College of Music. Tomlinson's early compositions were influenced by the English pastoral tradition, and he was particularly drawn to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. He also had a strong interest in American popular music, especially jazz and swing. These influences can be heard in his early works, such as his Suite of English Folk Dances, which was first performed in 1949. In the 1950s, Tomlinson began to gain recognition as a composer, and his works were performed by leading orchestras and ensembles in Britain and abroad. He was particularly known for his light music, which included works such as his Suite of Cotswold Folk Dances and his Little Serenade for Strings. These works were characterized by their tuneful melodies, lively rhythms, and colorful orchestration. Tomlinson also composed a number of works for the stage, including the musical comedy The Lilac Domino, which was first performed in 1953. This work was a great success and was later adapted for television. Tomlinson also composed music for several films, including The Bulldog Breed and The Plank. In the 1960s, Tomlinson became interested in the music of the Baroque period, and he began to incorporate elements of Baroque style into his compositions. This can be heard in works such as his Suite of Baroque Dances and his Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra. These works were characterized by their contrapuntal textures, use of Baroque forms such as the fugue and the chaconne, and their rich harmonies. Tomlinson continued to compose throughout his life, and his later works included a number of choral works, such as his Missa Brevis and his Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. He also composed a number of works for brass band, including his Suite of English Folk Songs and his Variations on a Welsh Theme. Ernest Tomlinson was a prolific composer who wrote in a wide variety of styles and genres. His music was characterized by its tuneful melodies, lively rhythms, and colorful orchestration. He was particularly known for his light music, which was popular with audiences in Britain and abroad. Tomlinson's music continues to be performed and recorded today, and he is remembered as one of the leading composers of his generation.

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