Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1899

Death

:

1961

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Robert Crawford was a Scottish composer who was born on March 27, 1899, in Greenock, Scotland. He was the son of a shipyard worker and grew up in a working-class family. Crawford showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He later learned to play the violin and the organ. Crawford's musical education began at the age of 14 when he won a scholarship to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. He studied composition with John McEwen and piano with Frederic Lamond. Crawford was a talented student and won several prizes for his compositions while at the academy. After completing his studies, Crawford worked as a freelance composer and pianist. He composed music for radio and film, as well as for the stage. In 1927, he was appointed as the musical director of the Glasgow Repertory Theatre, where he composed music for several productions. Crawford's early compositions were influenced by Scottish folk music and the works of composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. He was also influenced by the music of the French impressionists, particularly Claude Debussy. One of Crawford's most famous works is his setting of the poem "The Flower of Scotland." The poem, which was written in the 14th century, is considered to be Scotland's unofficial national anthem. Crawford's setting of the poem was first performed in 1967 and has since become a beloved Scottish song. Crawford's other notable works include his "Scottish Rhapsody," which was first performed in 1931, and his "Piano Concerto," which was first performed in 1946. The "Scottish Rhapsody" is a lively and colorful work that showcases Crawford's love of Scottish folk music. The "Piano Concerto" is a more serious work that demonstrates Crawford's skill as a composer and pianist. In addition to his work as a composer, Crawford was also a respected music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the University of Glasgow. He was also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools throughout the United Kingdom. Crawford was awarded several honors during his lifetime, including the Order of the British Empire in 1953 and the CBE in 1965. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh. Robert Crawford died on March 29, 1961, at the age of 62. He is remembered as one of Scotland's most important composers and a champion of Scottish music. His works continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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