John Metcalf (composer)
Encyclopedia
John Metcalf is a British
and Canadian composer. He has worked in many forms, including large-scale operas, choral and orchestral works, and a great deal of chamber music, both instrumental and vocal. His music is tonal
, and is often rhythmically complex, with much use of polyrhythms.
, and was educated at Dean Close School
, Cheltenham
.
Alongside his composing work, he was Artistic Director of the Banff Centre
, Canada, for ten years, and Diector of the Swansea Festival
until 2007. He is presently Artistic Director of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival
, and also teaches at the annual MusicFest Aberystwyth
. During his time in Banff, a number of his operas, starting with Tornrak
were workshopped there.
Several of his works are available on the album "In Time of Daffodils". This includes "Paradise Haunts", "Three Mobiles" and "In Time of Daffodils". These pieces are performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
. Excerpts from "Paradise Haunts" were used as part of the Queensland Ballet Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream
.
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...
and Canadian composer. He has worked in many forms, including large-scale operas, choral and orchestral works, and a great deal of chamber music, both instrumental and vocal. His music is tonal
Tonality
Tonality is a system of music in which specific hierarchical pitch relationships are based on a key "center", or tonic. The term tonalité originated with Alexandre-Étienne Choron and was borrowed by François-Joseph Fétis in 1840...
, and is often rhythmically complex, with much use of polyrhythms.
Biography
Metcalf was born in SwanseaSwansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, and was educated at Dean Close School
Dean Close School
Dean Close School is a co-educational independent school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The school is divided into pre-prep, preparatory and senior schools located on separate but adjacent sites outside Cheltenham town centre, occupying the largest private land area in the town...
, Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
.
Alongside his composing work, he was Artistic Director of the Banff Centre
Banff Centre
The Banff Centre, formerly known as The Banff Centre for Continuing Education, is an arts, cultural, and educational institution and conference complex located in Banff, Alberta...
, Canada, for ten years, and Diector of the Swansea Festival
Swansea Festival
Swansea Festival may refer to a number of festivals that take place in Swansea, Wales.:* Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, an annual event during October.* Swansea Bay Summer Festival, an annual event that runs during summer, from May to September....
until 2007. He is presently Artistic Director of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival
Vale of Glamorgan Festival
The Vale of Glamorgan Festival is a contemporary music festival based in and around the county of Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and held annually during September...
, and also teaches at the annual MusicFest Aberystwyth
MusicFest Aberystwyth
MusicFest Aberystwyth is a fusion of international Music festival and Summer school held in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales. Founded in 1987 by the cellist Nicholas Jones, MusicFest initially started as a small series of concerts. In 1988 a small Summer School was run alongside the concerts which...
. During his time in Banff, a number of his operas, starting with Tornrak
Tornrak
Tornrak is the third opera by Welsh composer John Metcalf. It has an English-language libretto by Michael Wilcox with Inuktitut sections translated by Blendina Makkik. Set between the worlds of the Canadian Arctic and Victorian Britain, it features Inuit throat singing and other extended vocal...
were workshopped there.
Several of his works are available on the album "In Time of Daffodils". This includes "Paradise Haunts", "Three Mobiles" and "In Time of Daffodils". These pieces are performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a broadcasting orchestra and national orchestra.The BBC NOW has its...
. Excerpts from "Paradise Haunts" were used as part of the Queensland Ballet Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play that was written by William Shakespeare. It is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta...
.