Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 30, 1923 in Llanelli, Dyfed, Wales

Death

:

March 23, 1994 in London, England

 

Donald Swann was a British composer, pianist, and entertainer who was born on September 30, 1923, in Llanelli, Wales. He was the son of a Welsh father and an English mother. Swann's father was a doctor, and his mother was a singer and pianist. Swann's parents encouraged his musical talents from a young age, and he began playing the piano at the age of six. Swann attended Westminster School in London, where he was a member of the school choir and orchestra. He went on to study music at the Royal College of Music, where he was a student of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gordon Jacob. Swann also studied composition with William Lloyd Webber, the father of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Swann's early compositions were influenced by the music of Vaughan Williams and other British composers. He wrote his first major work, a piano concerto, while still a student at the Royal College of Music. After completing his studies, Swann worked as a freelance composer and pianist, performing in concerts and on radio and television. In the 1950s, Swann began collaborating with the humorist and writer Michael Flanders. The two men met while performing in a revue, and they soon began writing and performing their own songs and sketches. Their first major success was the song "The Hippopotamus Song," which became a hit in Britain and the United States. Swann and Flanders went on to write and perform several more successful shows, including "At the Drop of a Hat" and "At the Drop of Another Hat." Despite his success as a performer and entertainer, Swann continued to compose classical music throughout his career. He wrote several works for orchestra, including a symphony and a concerto for oboe and strings. He also wrote chamber music, including a string quartet and a piano trio. One of Swann's most famous works is his setting of the poems of J.R.R. Tolkien. Swann was a fan of Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," and he set several of Tolkien's poems to music. The resulting work, "The Road Goes Ever On," was first performed in 1968 and has since become a popular piece in the classical repertoire. Swann's music is characterized by its melodic and lyrical qualities. He was influenced by the music of the Romantic era, particularly the works of Schubert and Brahms. Swann's music is often described as "accessible" and "approachable," and he was known for his ability to write music that was both entertaining and musically sophisticated. Swann continued to perform and compose music throughout his life. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1981 for his contributions to music and entertainment. He died on March 23, 1994, in London, at the age of 70. In conclusion, Donald Swann was a talented composer and pianist who made significant contributions to both classical music and entertainment. His collaborations with Michael Flanders brought joy and laughter to audiences around the world, while his classical compositions continue to be performed and enjoyed by music lovers. Swann's legacy is one of musical excellence and creativity, and his music will continue to inspire and delight audiences for generations to come.

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