Errollyn Wallen
Encyclopedia
Errollyn Wallen is a Belize born, British composer. She was the first black woman to have a work performed at The Proms
("Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra")
She studied composition at Goldsmith's College and at Kings College, London University
. Her music draws on a wide range of influences, including avant-garde
classical music as well as popular songwriting.
Compositions include the 'multi-media song cycle' Jordan Town (2001), Dervish for cello
and piano
(2001), La Luga for guitar quintet
(2002), the opera
Another America: Earth (2003) and All the Blues I See for flute
and string quartet
(2004).
In 2004, Wallen recorded an album of her own songs and solo piano music, entitled Errollyn. Her opera The Silent Twins, with a libretto by April De Angelis
, was first performed by the Almeida Opera in 2007.
2007- Gewandhaus Orchestra/ Leipzig Ballet- "The Tempest" choreography by James McMenemy
2008- June. World Premier "Carbon 12- A Choral Symphony" Welsh National Opera
CDs include: "The Girl In My Alphabet", "Meet Me at Harold Moores", featured on Brodsky Quartet "Mood Swings" alongside Björk, Sting and Elvis Costello.
In 2006 she co- wrote a song with the Astronaut Steve MacLean whilst he was aboard the space shuttle ST115
Wallen's music is published by Peters Edition.
Her work has been performed in leading concert halls/ theatres around the world.
She was made an MBE
for services to music in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2007
The Proms
The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in London...
("Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra")
She studied composition at Goldsmith's College and at Kings College, London University
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
. Her music draws on a wide range of influences, including avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
classical music as well as popular songwriting.
Compositions include the 'multi-media song cycle' Jordan Town (2001), Dervish for cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(2001), La Luga for guitar quintet
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
(2002), the opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
Another America: Earth (2003) and All the Blues I See for flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
(2004).
In 2004, Wallen recorded an album of her own songs and solo piano music, entitled Errollyn. Her opera The Silent Twins, with a libretto by April De Angelis
April De Angelis
April De Angelis is a British dramatist of part Sicilian descent. She is a graduate of Sussex University who trained at East 15 Acting School....
, was first performed by the Almeida Opera in 2007.
2007- Gewandhaus Orchestra/ Leipzig Ballet- "The Tempest" choreography by James McMenemy
2008- June. World Premier "Carbon 12- A Choral Symphony" Welsh National Opera
CDs include: "The Girl In My Alphabet", "Meet Me at Harold Moores", featured on Brodsky Quartet "Mood Swings" alongside Björk, Sting and Elvis Costello.
In 2006 she co- wrote a song with the Astronaut Steve MacLean whilst he was aboard the space shuttle ST115
Wallen's music is published by Peters Edition.
Her work has been performed in leading concert halls/ theatres around the world.
She was made an MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
for services to music in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2007