Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1960

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Martin Butler is a British composer who was born on December 13, 1960, in Romsey, Hampshire, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a pianist. Butler began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study music at the University of Manchester, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1982. After completing his undergraduate studies, Butler continued his education at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1983. He then went on to study composition with Robert Saxton at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1990. Butler's early works were influenced by the minimalist movement of the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the music of Stravinsky and Bartok. His compositions often feature complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as a sense of playfulness and humor. One of Butler's most well-known works is his Piano Concerto, which was commissioned by the BBC and premiered in 1991. The concerto features a solo piano part that is virtuosic and challenging, with intricate rhythms and harmonies. The piece has been performed by many pianists around the world and has become a staple of the contemporary piano repertoire. Another notable work by Butler is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the BBC and premiered in 1994. The symphony is a large-scale work that features a wide range of musical styles and influences, including jazz, rock, and classical music. The piece has been praised for its energy and vitality, as well as its innovative use of orchestration. In addition to his orchestral works, Butler has also composed a number of chamber music pieces, including his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet and premiered in 1996. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that features intricate rhythms and harmonies, as well as a sense of playfulness and humor. Butler's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Arditti Quartet. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Large-Scale Composition in 1994. In addition to his work as a composer, Butler is also a professor of music at the University of Sussex in England. He has written extensively on contemporary music and has been a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music festivals around the world. Overall, Martin Butler is a highly respected and influential composer who has made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music world. His works are known for their complexity, energy, and sense of playfulness, and they continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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