Arthur Butterworth
Encyclopedia
Arthur Butterworth MBE
(b. 4 August 1923 in Manchester
) is an English composer
, conductor and teacher.
Butterworth attended the Royal Manchester College of Music (now the Royal Northern College of Music
), where he studied composition with Richard Hall
and also learned the trumpet and conducting. He served as a trumpeter in the Scottish National Orchestra (now the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
) from 1949–55 and in the Hallé
from 1955–62; he also played as a freelance until 1963. In that year he began to teach at the Huddersfield School of Music, an activity which he combined with composing and conducting. He was made an MBE in 1995. He is unrelated to the composer George Butterworth
(1885–1916).
His works include six symphonies, the sixth having its première in St Petersburg by St Petersburg State Capella Orchestra on 15 November 2009. In the summer of 2008 Butterworth returned to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to conduct a recording of his Fourth Symphony (1986) and his Viola Concerto (1988) with the English viola player, Sarah-Jane Bradley. He has also composed eight concertos, several other large orchestral scores and a considerable amount of 'serious' music for brass (almost totally neglected by the brass band movement). At 87 he is still active as a composer and an occasional conductor (August 2010).
A selection of Arthur Butterworth's orchestral and chamber works have been released on the Dutton Epoch Label
. The Viola Concerto and the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies are all performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
under the composer's baton. One of the releases also includes Barbirolli
's 1958 mono recording of Butterworth's First Symphony, along with a series of reminiscences by the composer. A CD of Piano Trios is also available.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(b. 4 August 1923 in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
) is an English composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor and teacher.
Butterworth attended the Royal Manchester College of Music (now the Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
), where he studied composition with Richard Hall
Richard Hall (composer)
Richard Hall was an English musician and composer who became professor of composition at the Royal Manchester College of Music, a position he held from 1938 until 1956, when he became director of music at Dartington College of Arts...
and also learned the trumpet and conducting. He served as a trumpeter in the Scottish National Orchestra (now the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,...
) from 1949–55 and in the Hallé
Halle
Halle is a noun that means hall in the German language. It may also refer to:-In Germany:* Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, official name Halle , also called Halle or Halle an der Saale...
from 1955–62; he also played as a freelance until 1963. In that year he began to teach at the Huddersfield School of Music, an activity which he combined with composing and conducting. He was made an MBE in 1995. He is unrelated to the composer George Butterworth
George Butterworth
George Sainton Kaye Butterworth, MC was an English composer best known for the orchestral idyll The Banks of Green Willow and his song settings of A. E...
(1885–1916).
His works include six symphonies, the sixth having its première in St Petersburg by St Petersburg State Capella Orchestra on 15 November 2009. In the summer of 2008 Butterworth returned to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to conduct a recording of his Fourth Symphony (1986) and his Viola Concerto (1988) with the English viola player, Sarah-Jane Bradley. He has also composed eight concertos, several other large orchestral scores and a considerable amount of 'serious' music for brass (almost totally neglected by the brass band movement). At 87 he is still active as a composer and an occasional conductor (August 2010).
A selection of Arthur Butterworth's orchestral and chamber works have been released on the Dutton Epoch Label
Dutton Vocalion
Dutton Vocalion specialises in re-issuing on CD music recorded between the 1920s and 1970s, and in issuing albums of modern digital recordings. It was established by British recording and re-mastering engineer Michael J. Dutton....
. The Viola Concerto and the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies are all performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,...
under the composer's baton. One of the releases also includes Barbirolli
John Barbirolli
Sir John Barbirolli, CH was an English conductor and cellist. Born in London, of Italian and French parentage, he grew up in a family of professional musicians. His father and grandfather were violinists...
's 1958 mono recording of Butterworth's First Symphony, along with a series of reminiscences by the composer. A CD of Piano Trios is also available.
Compositions
His works include (as of 2008:)- Six symphonies (Op. 15, 1957; Op. 25, 1964; Op. 52, Sinfonia Borealis, 1979 (in manuscript); Op. 72, 1986 (in manuscript); Op. 115, 2003; Symphony No. 6)
- Concertos, including
- Viola Concerto, Op. 82
- Trumpet Concerto, Op. 93 Alla veneziana (pub. 1994)
- Choral works, including
- Haworth Moor, Op. 110, for Chorus and Piano (pub. 2001)
- Chamber music, including
- Oboe Sonata, Op. 5 (1947)
- Trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, Op. 6 (1947)
- Suite for viola and violoncello, Op. 13 (1951) (premiered by Cecil AronowitzCecil AronowitzCecil Aronowitz was a British viola player, a founding member of the Melos Ensemble, a leading chamber musician and an influential teacher at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.-Biography:...
and Terence WeilTerence WeilTerence Weil was a British cellist, principal cellist of the English Chamber Orchestra, a founding member of the Melos Ensemble, a leading chamber musician and an influential teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music.-Biography:Terence Weil was trained as a cellist under Herbert Walenn at the...
) - String Quartet, Op. 100 (1997)