Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1931

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Derek Holman is a Canadian composer, conductor, and organist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 16, 1931, in Illogan, Cornwall, England, Holman grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Holman began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the organ. Holman studied music at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a student of Herbert Howells and Gordon Jacob. He also studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult and Sir Malcolm Sargent. After completing his studies, Holman worked as a music teacher and organist in England before moving to Canada in 1964. In Canada, Holman became the organist and choirmaster at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto. He also taught music at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1971, Holman was appointed the conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, a position he held for 22 years. Holman's compositions are primarily choral works, although he has also written music for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. His music is characterized by its lyricism, harmonic richness, and sensitivity to text. Holman has set texts by a wide range of poets, including William Shakespeare, John Donne, and Emily Dickinson. One of Holman's most famous works is his setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, which is often performed in Anglican and Episcopal churches. The piece is notable for its use of antiphonal choirs, with one choir singing from the front of the church and the other from the back. Holman's setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis has been praised for its beauty and its ability to create a sense of awe and reverence in the listener. Another notable work by Holman is his setting of the Requiem Mass, which was commissioned by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in 1989. The piece is scored for choir, soloists, and orchestra, and features a text that combines elements of the traditional Latin Requiem Mass with English poetry. Holman's Requiem has been praised for its emotional depth and its ability to convey a sense of hope and comfort to the listener. In addition to his work as a composer, Holman is also known for his work as a conductor. He has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Holman is also a respected music educator and has taught at several universities and conservatories throughout his career. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Derek Holman has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His compositions are widely performed and admired for their beauty and emotional depth, and his work as a conductor and music educator has inspired countless musicians and music lovers around the world. Holman's legacy as a composer, conductor, and educator will continue to be felt for many years to come.

More....