Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Sebastian Forbes was a British composer born on May 23, 1957, in London, England. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father was a professional cellist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Forbes was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Forbes attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Sir Harrison Birtwistle and piano with Kendall Taylor. He graduated with honors in 1979 and went on to pursue a career as a composer. Forbes' early works were heavily influenced by the avant-garde music of the 20th century, particularly the works of Birtwistle and Pierre Boulez. His compositions were characterized by complex rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and unconventional instrumentation. In 1983, Forbes received a commission from the BBC to compose a piece for the Proms, the annual summer music festival held in London. The resulting work, "Symphony No. 1," was a critical success and established Forbes as a rising star in the classical music world. Over the next decade, Forbes continued to compose works that were performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. His music began to evolve, incorporating more tonal elements and a greater sense of lyricism. He also began to experiment with electronic music, incorporating synthesizers and other electronic instruments into his compositions. In 1995, Forbes was commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra to compose a new work for their centenary season. The resulting piece, "Concerto for Orchestra," was a major success and cemented Forbes' reputation as one of the leading composers of his generation. Throughout his career, Forbes was known for his ability to write music that was both challenging and accessible. His works were often performed by amateur and student ensembles, as well as professional orchestras and chamber groups. In addition to his work as a composer, Forbes was also a respected music educator. He taught composition at the Royal Academy of Music and was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conservatories around the world. Tragically, Forbes' career was cut short when he died suddenly of a heart attack in 2002 at the age of 45. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential music that continues to be performed and studied today.

More....