Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

October 30, 1894 in London, England

Death

:

December 17, 1930 in London, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Peter Warlock was a British composer and music critic who lived from 1894 to 1930. He was born Philip Arnold Heseltine in London, England, to a wealthy family. His father was a solicitor, and his mother was a talented amateur musician who encouraged her son's interest in music from an early age. Heseltine began composing music as a child and showed a particular talent for writing songs. He studied at Eton College and then at Oxford University, where he became involved in the music scene and began to develop his own style as a composer. In 1915, Heseltine changed his name to Peter Warlock, a name he took from a character in a novel by the writer George Meredith. He began to establish himself as a composer and music critic, writing for publications such as The Daily Telegraph and The Musical Times. Warlock's music was heavily influenced by the folk music of England and Ireland, and he was particularly interested in the music of the Elizabethan era. He was also influenced by the music of Debussy and Ravel, and his compositions often combined elements of traditional folk music with modernist harmonies and rhythms. One of Warlock's most famous works is his Capriol Suite, which was composed in 1926. The suite is based on six dances from the Renaissance era and is scored for string orchestra. The piece is notable for its use of modal harmonies and its evocation of the spirit of the Elizabethan era. Another of Warlock's well-known works is his song cycle The Curlew, which was composed in 1920. The cycle sets poems by the Irish poet W.B. Yeats and is scored for tenor voice, flute, cor anglais, and string quartet. The piece is notable for its haunting melodies and its evocation of the Irish landscape. Warlock also wrote a number of other songs and instrumental works, including the song cycle The Frostbound Wood, the orchestral work Serenade for Strings, and the choral work Bethlehem Down. In addition to his work as a composer, Warlock was also a prolific music critic and wrote extensively on a wide range of musical topics. He was known for his acerbic wit and his willingness to challenge the musical establishment. Warlock struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout his life, and his personal life was often tumultuous. He had a number of romantic relationships with both men and women, and his sexuality was a source of controversy and speculation during his lifetime. Warlock died in 1930 at the age of 36, reportedly by his own hand. Despite his relatively short life, he left behind a significant body of work that continues to be performed and admired today. His music is notable for its unique blend of traditional and modernist elements and its evocation of the spirit of the Elizabethan era.

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