Michael Garrett (1944–23 August 2023) was a British composer, born in
Leicestershire. He was active in composing and performing for more than fifty years. His many works extend across a wide range of styles.
Career
He wrote many symphonic, chamber and instrumental works as well as vocal music and wrote extensively for the piano. During the 1960s his early compositions incorporated experiments with
serial techniques; and in the years since then composed music in a more melodic vein. He began studying the piano and composing in 1956 and studied at The
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London where he won a scholarship to study with
Edmund Rubbra (1961–1964). He also studied piano with
Frank Merrick who was himself a pupil of
Theodor Leschetizky. He composed music for two
Ken Russell films Women in Love (1969) and Savage Messiah (1972). He worked as composer and pianist in the theatre, gave piano recitals of jazz and experimental music, and also composed a jingle for the
Scottish Gas Board.[1]
He gave the first performances in the UK of
John Cage's "Concert for Piano and Orchestra", which was conducted by
John Cale before he moved to the US and joined
The Velvet Underground with
Lou Reed.
Garrett was musical director for
Lindsay Kemp's mime company, which included
David Bowie and toured Britain and Europe. He was music director on Lindsey Kemp's film
'Pierrot In Turquoise' during which he plays piano. He composed music for television documentaries and was bandleader on the liner Canberra on a world cruise. He recorded in Paris with jazz trumpeter
Bill Coleman and drummer
Art Taylor. The album 'Bill Coleman Plus Four' (JCD196) remains available as a download.
Personal life
He lived in
Edinburgh,
Scotland. He regularly performed with and directed The Michael Garrett Ensemble in concerts of his own and other music. His recent works include a setting of
Robert Burns' "Braw lads o' Gala Water" for soprano and piano. His "Refrain de danse oriental" for wordless soprano is often accompanied by the composer wearing a fez.
List of works
Orchestral
The Spirit of Modernity, Op. 8a (1980–1985)
A New Renaissance, Symphonie Concertante for woodwind, strings and percussion, Op. 9 (1973–1974)
Mignon II, An Arabesque for piano 4-hands, Op. 194 (2008)
Gala Water for piano 4-hands, Op. 195 (2008)
Mignon III for piano 4-hands, Op. 201 (2008)
Piano Sonata No. 23 Pastoral Variants, Op. 204 (2008)
Canzona for piano 4-hands, Op. 205 (2008)
Piano Sonata No. 24 Fantasia-Sonata, Op. 207 (2008)
Piano Sonata No. 25 Exotic Spirit Winds, Op. 209 (2008)
Trois esquisses, Op. 211 (2009)
Chorale and Variations, Op. 214 (2009)
2 Pieces, Op. 216 (2009)
Piano Sonata No. 26, Op. 217 (2009)
20 Miniature Pieces, Op. 224 (2009)
Vocal
Three Night Songs for tenor and piano, Op. 58 (1988)
Prelude for soprano, flute and piano, Op. 100 (1993)
The Presence of Pan, 3 Songs for tenor and piano, Op. 114 (1996–1997)
Wanderings I, Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 124 (1998)
Wanderings II, Cycle of 8 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 126 (1998–1999)
2 Songs for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 134 (2000)
Wanderings III, 4 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 137 (2001)
Of the moon, Wind and Sky, 3 Songs for baritone or contralto and piano, Op. 146 (2002)
Searching for Spring, Song for high voice and piano, Op. 154 (2005)
Wanderings IV, 4 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 160 (2006)
Promenade en forme de paean for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello and piano, Op. 161 (2006)
Wanderings V, 2 Songs of the Night for voice and piano, Op. 163 (2006)
Refrain de danse oriental for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, cello, piano and percussion, Op. 167 (2006)
Music Comes for voice and piano, Op. 170 (2006)
Listening for voice and piano, Op. 172 (2007)
2 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 174 (2007)
Refrain de danse oriental for wordless soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, large tom-toms or congas, tambourine and small gong, Op. 189 (2007)
Braw lads o' Gala Water for soprano and piano, Op. 192 (2007)
Wanderings VI, 6 Songs for voice and piano, Op. 202 (2008)
Wanderings VII, 4 Songs for tenor or soprano and piano, Op. 222 (2009)
Bagatelle: "Souls Renewed", Song for voice and piano, Op. 223 (2010)
Choral
Symphony No. 1 for large orchestra, mixed chorus, off stage brass and male voice choir, Op. 27 (1984)
3 Choruses for unaccompanied six-part male voice choir, Op. 39 (1985)
Three Night Pieces for unaccompanied choir, Op. 67 (1989)
Xystus IX for orchestra with female choir, Op. 91 (1992)
Xystus XII for piano and orchestra, women's choir and rock percussionist, Op. 106 (1993–1995)
Dream Suite No. 2 "Into the Dawn" for soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, choir and orchestra, Op. 109 (1995–1996)
Night Song and In to Dawn – omitting one trumpet and one harp, Op. 109a (1996)
Evocations, 7 Songs for soprano, baritone, choir and orchestra, Op. 136 (2000–2001)
Symphony No. 11 for soloists, choir and orchestra, Op. 156 (2003–2005)
2 Pastorales for a cappella choir, Op. 158 (2006)
The Healing Moon, 2 Pieces for mixed choir a cappella, Op. 173 (2006–2007)
Three Scenes for unaccompanied choir, Op. 213 (2009)
References
^"Michael Garrett". Scottish Music Centre.
Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2023.