Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 7, 1923 in Hornsey, London, England

Death

:

March 26, 1977 in London, England

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Madeleine Dring was a British composer, pianist, and actress who was born on March 7, 1923, in Hampstead, London. She was the daughter of a successful businessman and a talented amateur pianist. Dring showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of five. She attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied composition with Herbert Howells and piano with Harold Craxton. Dring's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith. Her first major work, the Concertino for Flute and Piano, was written in 1948 and quickly became popular among flutists. Dring's music was characterized by its wit, charm, and elegance, and she was known for her ability to write in a variety of styles, from light music to serious concert works. In addition to her work as a composer, Dring was also a successful actress. She appeared in several films and television shows, including the 1951 film "The Lavender Hill Mob" and the 1960s TV series "The Avengers." Dring's acting career helped to support her music career, and she was able to devote herself fully to composition in the 1960s. Dring's most famous works include the Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Piano, the Suite for Oboe and Piano, and the Three Shakespeare Songs for voice and piano. Her music was performed by many of the leading musicians of her time, including the flutist James Galway and the oboist Evelyn Rothwell. Dring's music was often compared to that of her contemporary, the French composer Francis Poulenc. Like Poulenc, Dring had a gift for melody and a lightness of touch that made her music accessible to a wide audience. Her music was also characterized by its use of jazz and popular music influences, which gave it a distinctive sound. Dring died on March 26, 1977, at the age of 54. Despite her relatively short career, she left behind a significant body of work that continues to be performed and admired today. Her music is a testament to her talent and her ability to bridge the gap between serious concert music and popular entertainment.

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