Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1928 in Gloucester, England

Death

:

2006

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Michael Hurd was a British composer, conductor, and music educator who was born on December 19, 1928, in Gloucester, England. He was the son of a clergyman and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a singer and organist. Hurd showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Hurd attended Oxford University, where he studied music and was a member of the Oxford University Music Society. After graduating, he worked as a music teacher in various schools and colleges in England. In 1952, he married the artist and illustrator, Judy Brook, with whom he had two children. Hurd's early compositions were influenced by the music of Benjamin Britten and other British composers of the time. He wrote a number of choral works, including "A Song of Christmas," "A Carol Symphony," and "The Coming of Christ." These works were well received and established Hurd as a composer of choral music. In the 1960s, Hurd began to write music for the stage. His first musical, "The Swing Mikado," was a reworking of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" set in Harlem during the swing era. The show was a success and was performed in London's West End and on Broadway. Hurd went on to write several more musicals, including "Lucky Stiff," "Poppy," and "The Dreaming." Hurd's music for the stage was characterized by its catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and clever orchestrations. He was particularly skilled at writing for the voice and his songs were often performed by leading singers of the day. His musicals were also notable for their social commentary and political satire. In addition to his work as a composer, Hurd was also a conductor and music educator. He was the director of music at the University of Sussex from 1965 to 1973 and was a visiting professor at several universities in the United States. He also conducted a number of orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Hurd's later works included a number of operas, including "The Aspern Papers," based on the novella by Henry James, and "The Night of the Wedding," based on a play by Thornton Wilder. He also wrote a number of instrumental works, including a piano concerto and a string quartet. Hurd's music was characterized by its accessibility and its ability to appeal to a wide audience. He was a master of melody and his music was often described as "catchy" and "humorous." His work was also notable for its social commentary and political satire, which reflected his own political beliefs. Hurd died on August 8, 2006, at the age of 77. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of music, both as a composer and as an educator, have earned him a place among the great British composers of the 20th century.

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