Ian Venables
Encyclopedia
Ian Venables is a British
composer
of songs and chamber music
.
He is an acknowledged expert on the 19th century poet and literary critic John Addington Symonds, and apart from having set five of his poems for voice and piano, he has contributed a significant essay to the book John Addington Symonds - Culture and the Demon Desire (Macmillan Press Ltd, 2000).
He is President of The Arthur Bliss Society, as well as being the Chairman of the Ivor Gurney Society. His continuing work on the music of Gurney has led to orchestrations of two of his songs (2003) - counterparts to the two that were orchestrated by Herbert Howells - and newly edited versions of Gurney’s War Elegy (1919) and A Gloucestershire Rhapsody (1921), with Philip Lancaster. His works have been recorded on the Signum, Somm, Regent and Naxos labels.
His music is published by Novello and Co.
Chamber music
Organ
Piano
Choral
Vocal
Society and is currently working to achieve the publication of some previously unpublished works by Gurney. (Source- see below)
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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...
of songs and chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
.
Biography
Ian Venables was born in Liverpool in 1955 and was educated at Liverpool Collegiate Grammar School. He studied music with Professor Richard Arnell at Trinity College of Music, London and later with Andrew Downes, John Mayer and John Joubert in Birmingham. His compositions encompass many genres, and in particular he has added significantly to the canon of English art song. Described as ‘…one of the finest song composers of his generation…’, he has written over 50 works in this genre, which includes six song-cycles, - Venetian Songs - Love’s Voice Op.22 (1995); Invite to Eternity Op.31 (1997) for tenor and string quartet; Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op.36 (2004) for tenor, string quartet and piano; On the Wings of Love Op.38 (2006) for tenor, clarinet and piano; The Pine Boughs Past Music Op.39 (2010) for baritone and piano and Remember This Op.40 (2010) - Cantata for soprano, tenor, string quartet, and piano. Other songs for solo voice and piano include, Two Songs Op.28 (1997) and Six Songs Op.33 (1999-2003) as well as ‘A Dramatic Scena’ for counter-tenor and piano - At the Court of the poisoned Rose Op. 20 (1994). His songs have been performed by national and internationally acclaimed artists that include: Andrew Kennedy, Roderick Williams, Patricia Rozario, Ian Partridge, Howard Wong, Nathan Vale, Peter Wilman and Nicholas Mulroy. His many chamber works include a Piano Quintet Op.27 (1995) - described by Roderic Dunnett in the Independent as ‘…lending a new late 20th Century dimension to the English pastoral…’ and a String Quartet Op.32 (1998), as well as smaller pieces for solo instruments and piano. He has also written works for choir - Awake, awake, the world is young Op.34 - organ - Rhapsody Op.25 (1996), brass and solo piano.He is an acknowledged expert on the 19th century poet and literary critic John Addington Symonds, and apart from having set five of his poems for voice and piano, he has contributed a significant essay to the book John Addington Symonds - Culture and the Demon Desire (Macmillan Press Ltd, 2000).
He is President of The Arthur Bliss Society, as well as being the Chairman of the Ivor Gurney Society. His continuing work on the music of Gurney has led to orchestrations of two of his songs (2003) - counterparts to the two that were orchestrated by Herbert Howells - and newly edited versions of Gurney’s War Elegy (1919) and A Gloucestershire Rhapsody (1921), with Philip Lancaster. His works have been recorded on the Signum, Somm, Regent and Naxos labels.
His music is published by Novello and Co.
Works list
Orchestral- Three Romantic Impressions for orchestra, Op. 17
Chamber music
- Elegy for cello (or viola) and piano, Op. 2 (1980)
- Meditation for clarinet and piano, Op. 7
- Three Pieces for violin and piano, Op. 11 (1986)
- Three Diversions for brass quintet, Op. 13 (1992)
- Sonatina for oboe and piano, Op. 14 (1995)
- The Three Bridges Suite for brass decet (jazz ensemble), Op. 18 (1994)
- Triptych for sixteen brass and two percussion, Op. 21 (1993)
- Sonata for flute and piano, Op. 23 (1989)
- Soliloquy for viola and piano, Op. 26 (1994)
- Quintet for piano and string quartet, Op. 27 (1989–1996)
- Poem for cello and piano, Op. 29 (1997)
- String Quartet, Op. 32 (1997–1998)
- The Moon Sails Out for cello and piano, Op. 42 (2010)
Organ
- Rhapsody for organ, Op. 25 (1996)
Piano
- Sonata "In Memoriam D.S.C.H" for piano, Op. 1 (1975, revised 1980)
- Prelude for piano, Op. 3 (1981)
- The Stourhead Follies, 4 Romantic Impressions for piano, Op. 4 (1985)
- Three Short Pieces for piano, Op. 5 (1986)
- The Rose and the Nightingale, A Children's Ballet for piano, Op. 8 (1996)
- Janis, Portrait for piano, Op. 9 (2000)
- Three Short Pieces for piano (arranged for orchestra), Op. 12; withdrawn
- Caprice for piano, Op. 35 (2001)
Choral
- O Sing Aloud to God, Anthem for mixed chorus and organ, Op. 19 (1993)
- Awake! Awake, the World Is Young, Anthem for chorus, mezzo-soprano, 3 trumpets (or 4 trumpets, horn, 3 trombones, tuba), percussion and organ, Op. 34 (1999); words by Tennyson/Flecker
- Remember This, Cantata for soprano, tenor, string quartet, piano and optional percussion, Op. 40 (2008–2011); words by Andrew MotionAndrew MotionSir Andrew Motion, FRSL is an English poet, novelist and biographer, who presided as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2009.- Life and career :...
Vocal
- Midnight Lamentation for voice and piano, Op. 6 (1974); words by Harold MonroHarold MonroHarold Edward Monro was a British poet, the proprietor of the Poetry Bookshop in London which helped many famous poets bring their work before the public....
- A Kiss for voice and piano or string quartet, Op. 15 (1992); words by Thomas HardyThomas HardyThomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. While his works typically belong to the Naturalism movement, several poems display elements of the previous Romantic and Enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural.While he regarded himself primarily as a...
- Easter Song for voice and piano, Op. 16 (1992); words by Edgar Billingham
- Pain for voice and piano, Op. 19 (1991); words by Ivor GurneyIvor GurneyIvor Bertie Gurney was an English composer and poet.-Life:Born at 3 Queen Street, Gloucester in 1890, the second of four children of David Gurney, a tailor, and his wife Florence, a seamstress, Gurney showed musical ability early...
- At the Court of the Poisoned Rose for voice and piano, Op. 20 (1994); words by Marion Angus
- Love's Voice, Song Cycle for tenor and piano, Op. 22 (1995); words by John Addington SymondsJohn Addington SymondsJohn Addington Symonds was an English poet and literary critic. Although he married and had a family, he was an early advocate of male love , which he believed could include pederastic as well as egalitarian relationships. He referred to it as l'amour de l'impossible...
-
- Fortunate Isles
- The Passing Stranger
- Invitation to the Gondola (also for baritone and piano)
- Love's Voice
- At Malvern for voice and piano, Op. 24 (1998); words by John Addington SymondsJohn Addington SymondsJohn Addington Symonds was an English poet and literary critic. Although he married and had a family, he was an early advocate of male love , which he believed could include pederastic as well as egalitarian relationships. He referred to it as l'amour de l'impossible...
- Flying Crooked and At Midnight for voice and piano or string quartet, Op. 28 (1997–1998); words by Robert GravesRobert GravesRobert von Ranke Graves 24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985 was an English poet, translator and novelist. During his long life he produced more than 140 works...
and Edna St. Vincent MillayEdna St. Vincent MillayEdna St. Vincent Millay was an American lyrical poet, playwright and feminist. She received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and was known for her activism and her many love affairs. She used the pseudonym Nancy Boyd for her prose work... - Acton Burnell for tenor, viola and piano, Op. 30 (1997); words by Rennie Parker
- Invite to Eternity, Song Cycle for tenor and string quartet, Op. 31 (1997); words by John ClareJohn ClareJohn Clare was an English poet, born the son of a farm labourer who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside and his lamentation of its disruption. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be among...
- At Malvern for voice and piano, Op. 24 (1998); words by John Addington Symonds
- Born upon an Angel's Breast
- An Invite to Eternity
- Evening Bells
- I Am
- Six Songs for voice and piano, Op. 33 (1999–2003); words by Jennifer Andrews, Edward ThomasEdward Thomas (poet)Philip Edward Thomas was an Anglo-Welsh writer of prose and poetry. He is commonly considered a war poet, although few of his poems deal directly with his war experiences. Already an accomplished writer, Thomas turned to poetry only in 1914...
, Ernest DowsonErnest DowsonErnest Christopher Dowson , born in Lee, London, was an English poet, novelist and writer of short stories, associated with the Decadent movement.- Biography :...
, Charles Bennett, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Theodore RoethkeTheodore RoethkeTheodore Roethke was an American poet, who published several volumes of poetry characterized by its rhythm, rhyming, and natural imagery. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book, The Waking.-Biography:...
- Six Songs for voice and piano, Op. 33 (1999–2003); words by Jennifer Andrews, Edward Thomas
- The Way Through
- It Rains
- Vitae summa brevis
- November Piano
- Break, Break, Break
- The Hippo (also for voice and string quartet)
- Songs of Eternity and Sorrow, Song Cycle for tenor, string quartet and piano, Op. 36 (2003); words by A. E. HousmanA. E. HousmanAlfred Edward Housman , usually known as A. E. Housman, was an English classical scholar and poet, best known to the general public for his cycle of poems A Shropshire Lad. Lyrical and almost epigrammatic in form, the poems were mostly written before 1900...
- Songs of Eternity and Sorrow, Song Cycle for tenor, string quartet and piano, Op. 36 (2003); words by A. E. Housman
- Easter Hymn
- When Green Buds Hang
- Oh, Who Is That Young Sinner
- Because I Liked You Better
- Songs for soprano and piano, Op. 37 (2004, 2008); words by John ClareJohn ClareJohn Clare was an English poet, born the son of a farm labourer who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside and his lamentation of its disruption. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be among...
and Elizabeth JenningsElizabeth JenningsElizabeth Jennings was an English poet.-Life and career:Jennings was born in Boston, Lincolnshire. When she was six, her family moved to Oxford, where she remained for the rest of her life. Couzyn, Jeni Contemporary Women Poets. Bloodaxe, pp. 98-100. There she later attended St Anne's College...
- Songs for soprano and piano, Op. 37 (2004, 2008); words by John Clare
- Love Lives Beyond
- Friendship
- On the Wings of Love, 6 Songs for tenor, clarinet and piano, Op. 38 (2006); words by Constantine P. CavafyConstantine P. CavafyConstantine P. Cavafy, also known as Konstantin or Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis, or Kavaphes was a renowned Greek poet who lived in Alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant...
, Federico García LorcaFederico García LorcaFederico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca was a Spanish poet, dramatist and theatre director. García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of '27. He is believed to be one of thousands who were summarily shot by anti-communist death squads...
, Jean de SpondeJean de SpondeJean de Sponde was a Baroque French poet.- Biography :Born at Mauléon, in what is now Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Jean de Sponde was raised in an austere Protestant family in the Basque region of France with close relations with the royal court of Navarre...
, Emperor HadrianHadrianHadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
, Robert FrostRobert FrostRobert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
and W. B. Yeats
- On the Wings of Love, 6 Songs for tenor, clarinet and piano, Op. 38 (2006); words by Constantine P. Cavafy
- Ionian Song
- The Moon Sails Out
- Sonnets of Love, No XI
- Animula Vagula, Blandula
- Reluctance
- When You Are Old
- The Pine Boughs Past Music, Song Cycle for baritone and piano, Op. 39 (2009); words by Ivor GurneyIvor GurneyIvor Bertie Gurney was an English composer and poet.-Life:Born at 3 Queen Street, Gloucester in 1890, the second of four children of David Gurney, a tailor, and his wife Florence, a seamstress, Gurney showed musical ability early...
and Leonard ClarkLeonard ClarkLeonard Clark was an English poet and anthologist. He was born and brought up in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and the early experience of growing up in an essentially rural setting influenced both his prose and his poetry...
- The Pine Boughs Past Music, Song Cycle for baritone and piano, Op. 39 (2009); words by Ivor Gurney
- The Wind
- Soft Rain
- My Heart Makes Songs on Lonely Roads
- In Memoriam – Ivor Gurney
- Songs for baritone and piano, Op. 41
Ivor Gurney
Ian Venables is chairman of the Ivor GurneyIvor Gurney
Ivor Bertie Gurney was an English composer and poet.-Life:Born at 3 Queen Street, Gloucester in 1890, the second of four children of David Gurney, a tailor, and his wife Florence, a seamstress, Gurney showed musical ability early...
Society and is currently working to achieve the publication of some previously unpublished works by Gurney. (Source- see below)