William Wordsworth (composer)

William Brocklesby Wordsworth (17 December 1908 – 10 March 1988) was an English composer.

For the better known English poet, see William Wordsworth.

Wordsworth was born in London, a descendant of the poet Wordsworth's brother.[1] He studied harmony and counterpoint under George Oldroyd from 1921 to 1931, continuing his study with Donald Francis Tovey at Edinburgh University from 1934 to 1936. In anticipation of conscientious objection he voluntarily began work on the land in 1939, and this role was later made a condition of exemption from military service by his tribunal. He lived in England until 1961 when he moved to Inverness-shire; in 1966, he helped found the Scottish Composer's Guild. His works, which number over 100, kept tonal and Romantic in style in the widest sense, ranking amongst the best of the genre along with Edmund Rubbra.

He helped form the Society of Scottish Composers.[2]

He died at Kingussie in Scotland.

Works
Orchestral
  • Symphony No. 1 in f minor, Op. 23 (1944)
  • Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 34, (1947–48)
  • Symphony No. 3 in C, Op. 48 (1950–51)
  • Symphony No. 4 in E flat, Op. 54 (1953)
  • Symphony No. 5 in a minor, Op. 68 (1959–60)
  • Symphony No. 6, Op. 102 (1977)
  • Symphony No. 7, Op. 107 (1980) "Cosmos"
  • Symphony No. 8 (1986)
  • 3 Pastoral Sketches op. 10 (1937), Divertimento in D, Op. 58 (1954),Overture for Orchestra, Op. 86 (1968) "Conflict"
Concertos
  • Piano Concerto, 1946
  • Violin Concerto, 1955
  • Cello Concerto, 1962
Chamber
  • String Quartet No. 1, (1941)
  • String Quartet No. 2, (1944)
  • String Quartet No. 3, (1947)
  • String Quartet No. 4, (1950)
  • String Quartet No. 5, (1957)
  • String Quartet No. 6, (1964)
  • Trio in G minor for violin, viola and cello (1948)
  • Sonata #2 in g minor, op. 66, for cello and piano (1959)
  • Nocturne, op. 29, for cello and piano (1946)
  • Scherzo, op. 42, for cello and piano (1949)
  • Sonata for cello solo (1961)
  • Conversation Piece for viola and guitar, Op.113 (1983)
  • Intermezzo for viola and piano (1935)
  • Sonatina in D for viola and piano (or guitar), Op.71 (1961)
  • Three Pieces (Prelude, Elegy and Scherzo) for viola and piano, Op.93 (1972)
Vocal
  • Four Songs of Shakespeare for high voice, viola and piano, Op.103 (1977)
  • The image vocal setting for high voice to the poem by Richard Hughes (before 1947)
  • The Solitary Reaper for mixed chorus, viola and piano
  • Oratorio, Dies Domini for soloists, chorus, and orchestra (1942-1944)
Piano Solo
  • Sonata, D minor, Op. 13 (1939)
  • Cheesecombe Suite, Op. 27 (1945)
  • Ballade, Op. 41 (1949)

References
  1. Noble, Richard D. C. "Wordsworth, William (Brocklesby)". Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 14 December 2016. (subscription required)
  2. Clarke, Colin (March 2004). "Review of Lyrita Recording of Second and Third Symphonies". MusicWeb International. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
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