Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1949 in Pontefract

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Choral

 

Philip Wilby is a British composer who was born on December 9, 1949, in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a singer. Wilby began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and the organ. Wilby attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Herbert Howells and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. He also studied at the University of York, where he earned a PhD in composition. Wilby's early works were influenced by the music of Benjamin Britten and Igor Stravinsky. His first major composition was his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1976 by the Halle Orchestra in Manchester. The symphony was well-received and established Wilby as a promising young composer. In the 1980s, Wilby began to focus on composing music for brass bands. He was commissioned by several of the top brass bands in the UK, including the Black Dyke Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. His works for brass band include Paganini Variations, Masquerade, and Lowry Sketchbook. Wilby's music for brass band is known for its complexity and virtuosity. He often incorporates elements of classical music, jazz, and folk music into his compositions. His works have been performed by brass bands around the world and have won numerous awards. In addition to his music for brass band, Wilby has also composed works for orchestra, choir, and chamber ensembles. His orchestral works include Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 3, and Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. His choral works include The Holy Face and The Testament of Dr. Cranmer. Wilby's music is characterized by its emotional depth and its ability to tell a story. He often draws inspiration from literature, history, and mythology. His works are known for their dramatic flair and their ability to evoke a wide range of emotions in the listener. Wilby has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors Gold Badge Award in 2013. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Huddersfield in 2014. Today, Wilby continues to compose music and is considered one of the leading composers of his generation. His works are performed regularly by orchestras, choirs, and brass bands around the world. He has inspired a new generation of composers and has left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.

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