Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1947

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Alan Bullard is a British composer who was born in London in 1947. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a singer. Bullard began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the organ and the violin. He attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Herbert Howells and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. After completing his studies, Bullard worked as a freelance composer and conductor, writing music for a variety of ensembles and occasions. He also taught music at several schools and universities, including the University of Sussex and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Bullard's music is characterized by its accessibility and lyricism, with a focus on melody and harmony. He has written works in a variety of genres, including choral music, chamber music, and orchestral music. His choral music is particularly well-known, with many of his works being performed by choirs around the world. One of Bullard's most popular choral works is his setting of the Christmas carol "The Angel Gabriel." This piece, which was written in 1988, has become a staple of the Christmas choral repertoire and is often performed by church and school choirs. The piece features a simple, yet beautiful melody and a gentle, flowing accompaniment. Another notable choral work by Bullard is his "Wondrous Cross," which was written in 2004. This piece is a setting of the hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and features a lush, harmonically rich arrangement for choir and organ. The piece has been performed by many choirs, including the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. In addition to his choral music, Bullard has also written a number of works for chamber ensembles. One of his most popular chamber works is his "Three Carols for String Quartet," which was written in 1995. This piece features arrangements of three traditional Christmas carols and has been performed by many string quartets around the world. Bullard's orchestral music includes works for both full orchestra and smaller ensembles. One of his most notable orchestral works is his "Concerto for Trumpet and Strings," which was written in 1990. This piece features a virtuosic trumpet solo and a lively, energetic accompaniment from the string orchestra. Throughout his career, Bullard has received numerous awards and honors for his music. In 2005, he was awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (BASCA) award for his choral work "Ave Verum Corpus." He has also been commissioned to write music for a variety of organizations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC. Today, Bullard continues to compose and teach music. His music remains popular with choirs and other ensembles around the world, and his contributions to the classical music repertoire are widely recognized and celebrated.

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