Anthony Whittaker
Encyclopedia
Anthony John Whittaker is an English composer. His first musical experiences were in the local church choir age 7 and as a tenor recorder player; he did not begin formal study of the piano until 1982 with Peter Wild. Lessons with Ann Bond on the organ followed in 1986. After acquiring the LRAM
diploma in 1989, ARCO
and LTCL in 1991, he graduated from the University of London
in 1994 BMus (hons). http://www.anthonywhittaker.co.uk
Composition became increasingly important for Whittaker during the 1990s where he composed for staff and students at the Performing Arts department of Liverpool Community College
.
His MMus degree from the University of Liverpool
is in composition; he studied with James Wishart.
Notoriety came in 2000 with the SPNM performance of Drift for six pianos which was performed alongside Steve Reich
's music for 6 pianos; the principal pianist was Joanna MacGregor
.
Choral music became important after this time;Agnus Dei (TTBB) received performances in Berlin and Montreal. A Litany also for TTBB was performed at the International Eisteddfod
and broadcast on S4C
television in 2002. Larger commissions followed. For example, The Prodigal Son for choir 2 pianos and percussion 2005.
Chamber music has also played an important part in the composer's output. A string Quartet was written in 2005; Indiscretions with Sarabande was written for the Baroque ensemble L'indiscret in 2007. A second string quartet and the Clarinet Quintet have been completed in 2009 during a long period in the Far East, Singapore and Taiwan. Whittaker's largest project to date is ongoing: a chamber opera with Ghengis Kahn as the main protagonist.
Some of the choral pieces are published by the Welsh firm Curiadhttp://www.curiad.co.uk.
LRAM
LRAM is an abbreviation for Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. This professional diploma was formerly open to both internal students of the Royal Academy of Music and external candidates in voice, keyboard and orchestral instruments and guitar, as well as conducting and other musical...
diploma in 1989, ARCO
ARCO
Atlantic Richfield Company is an oil company with operations in the United States as well as in Indonesia, the North Sea, and the South China Sea. It has more than 1,300 gas stations in the western part of the United States. ARCO was originally formed by the merger of East Coast-based Atlantic...
and LTCL in 1991, he graduated from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1994 BMus (hons). http://www.anthonywhittaker.co.uk
Composition became increasingly important for Whittaker during the 1990s where he composed for staff and students at the Performing Arts department of Liverpool Community College
Liverpool Community College
Liverpool Community College is the only college of further education in Liverpool, Merseyside. It was established in 1992 by the amalgamation of all the further education colleges in Liverpool and was formerly known as the "City of Liverpool Community College".In 2005, it had approximately 7,000...
.
His MMus degree from the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
is in composition; he studied with James Wishart.
Notoriety came in 2000 with the SPNM performance of Drift for six pianos which was performed alongside Steve Reich
Steve Reich
Stephen Michael "Steve" Reich is an American composer who together with La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass is a pioneering composer of minimal music...
's music for 6 pianos; the principal pianist was Joanna MacGregor
Joanna MacGregor
Joanna MacGregor is a classical, jazz and contemporary pianist.-Biography:MacGregor grew up in North London, and was educated at home by her Seventh-day Adventist parents until she attended South Hampstead High School at the age of 11. Her mother is a piano teacher who studied at the Royal...
.
Choral music became important after this time;Agnus Dei (TTBB) received performances in Berlin and Montreal. A Litany also for TTBB was performed at the International Eisteddfod
International Eisteddfod
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a music festival which takes place every year during the second week of July in Llangollen, North Wales. Singers and dancers from around the world are invited to take part in over 20 high quality competitions followed each evening by concerts where...
and broadcast on S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
television in 2002. Larger commissions followed. For example, The Prodigal Son for choir 2 pianos and percussion 2005.
Chamber music has also played an important part in the composer's output. A string Quartet was written in 2005; Indiscretions with Sarabande was written for the Baroque ensemble L'indiscret in 2007. A second string quartet and the Clarinet Quintet have been completed in 2009 during a long period in the Far East, Singapore and Taiwan. Whittaker's largest project to date is ongoing: a chamber opera with Ghengis Kahn as the main protagonist.
Some of the choral pieces are published by the Welsh firm Curiadhttp://www.curiad.co.uk.
List of Major Works
- Clarinet Quintet 2009,
- String Quartet No 2 2009,
- Resquiat in Pace 2 2008 (SSA),
- Resquiat in Pace 1 2008 (SATB),
- Indiscretions with Sarabande 2007 (L'indiscret),
- Esquisse 2006 (Flute, Harp, Viola),
- The Prodigal Son 2005 (TTBB 2 Pianos & Perc.),
- String Quartet 2005,
- Es war ein alter König 2004 (SSAA),
- Contour Cantor 2004 (Piano solo),
- Lullaby-Fall-Repose 2003 (Viola & Marimba),
- Coelos Acendit 2003 (SA div. & Piano),
- Sinfonietta - Hearing Voices 2002,
- Tensio 2002 (Clarinet and Piano),
- Concertino for Piano and Guitar 2002,
- A Litany 2002 (TTBB),
- Jailbreak 2001 (Large ensemble),
- Agnus Dei 2001 (TTBB),
- Impact 2000 (Ensemble),
- Drift 2000 (Six pianos).