Thomas Wilson (composer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Wilson CBE
(10 October 1927 – 12 June 2001) was a Scottish
composer
of classical music
.
One of the greatest musicians Scotland has produced, Thomas Brendan Wilson was born in Trinidad, Colorado
, USA to British parents, but moved to Scotland with his family when he was 17 months old. They settled in the Glasgow
area where he lived and worked for the remainder of his life. Thomas Wilson was educated at St. Mary’s College, Aberdeen
. He served in the RAF
from 1945 to 1948, and subsequently read Music
at the University of Glasgow
.
, The New Music Group of Scotland, The Society for the Promotion of New Music
, The Composers' Guild of Great Britain (Chairman 1986-89) now the British Association of Composers and Songwriters, and The Scottish Society of Composers (of which he was a founder member).
His works have been played all over the world and embrace all forms - orchestral, choral-orchestral, chamber-orchestral, opera, ballet, brass band, vocal music of different kinds, and works for a wide variety of chamber ensembles and solo instruments. Wilson completed five symphonies, the fourth of which, Passeleth Tapestry, was premiered by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
under Bryden Thomson
on 6 August 1988 in Paisley Abbey
. He also completed several concertos and choral works. His largest work was an opera, Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1972–75), commissioned by Scottish Opera
and based on the novel by James Hogg
.
Wilson was awarded the CBE
in 1990. The following year he was awarded an honourary DMus Degree from Glasgow University and created a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
.
The 80th anniversary of Thomas Wilson's birth on 10 October 1927 was marked by a performance of the composer's St Kentigern Suite on 17 January 2008 by the RSAMD Chamber Orchestra, and by a performance of the composer's Violin Concerto also in January 2008 by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
A biography co-written by David Griffith and Margaret Wilson and edited by Prof. Karl Gwiasda has been completed and published in 2011 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his death. The music critic, Michael Tumelty recently described Wilson in the Glasgow Herald (12/02/2011) as "a gently magisterial composer and one of the wisest and most philosophical musicians I have met".
A Cappella Masses
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...
(10 October 1927 – 12 June 2001) was a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
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 classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
.
One of the greatest musicians Scotland has produced, Thomas Brendan Wilson was born in Trinidad, Colorado
Trinidad, Colorado
The historic City of Trinidad is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Las Animas County, Colorado, United States...
, USA to British parents, but moved to Scotland with his family when he was 17 months old. They settled in the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
area where he lived and worked for the remainder of his life. Thomas Wilson was educated at St. Mary’s College, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. He served in the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
from 1945 to 1948, and subsequently read Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Career
Thomas Brendan Wilson said that he not only wanted to be a composer, he said that he had to be one. There was an inner compulsion - he felt as though he had no choice in the matter. One of the first honours graduates in music from Glasgow University, Wilson became a lecturer at his alma mater in 1957. He was later appointed a Reader (1971) and given a Personal Chair in 1977. He consistently played an active part in the musical life of the UK, holding executive and advisory positions in such organisations as the Scottish Arts CouncilScottish Arts Council
The Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
, The New Music Group of Scotland, The Society for the Promotion of New Music
Society for the Promotion of New Music
The Society for the Promotion of New Music was founded in London in 1943 with the intention of promoting the creation, performance and appreciation of new music...
, The Composers' Guild of Great Britain (Chairman 1986-89) now the British Association of Composers and Songwriters, and The Scottish Society of Composers (of which he was a founder member).
His works have been played all over the world and embrace all forms - orchestral, choral-orchestral, chamber-orchestral, opera, ballet, brass band, vocal music of different kinds, and works for a wide variety of chamber ensembles and solo instruments. Wilson completed five symphonies, the fourth of which, Passeleth Tapestry, was premiered 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 Bryden Thomson
Bryden Thomson
Bryden Thomson was a Scottish conductor.Bryden Thomson was born in Ayr. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra from 1977 to 1985...
on 6 August 1988 in Paisley Abbey
Paisley Abbey
Paisley Abbey is a former Cluniac monastery, and current Church of Scotland parish kirk, located on the east bank of the White Cart Water in the centre of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, in west central Scotland.-History:...
. He also completed several concertos and choral works. His largest work was an opera, Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1972–75), commissioned by Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies funded by the Scottish Government...
and based on the novel by James Hogg
James Hogg
James Hogg was a Scottish poet and novelist who wrote in both Scots and English.-Early life:James Hogg was born in a small farm near Ettrick, Scotland in 1770 and was baptized there on 9 December, his actual date of birth having never been recorded...
.
Wilson was awarded the CBE
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...
in 1990. The following year he was awarded an honourary DMus Degree from Glasgow University and created a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
.
The 80th anniversary of Thomas Wilson's birth on 10 October 1927 was marked by a performance of the composer's St Kentigern Suite on 17 January 2008 by the RSAMD Chamber Orchestra, and by a performance of the composer's Violin Concerto also in January 2008 by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
A biography co-written by David Griffith and Margaret Wilson and edited by Prof. Karl Gwiasda has been completed and published in 2011 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his death. The music critic, Michael Tumelty recently described Wilson in the Glasgow Herald (12/02/2011) as "a gently magisterial composer and one of the wisest and most philosophical musicians I have met".
Orchestral works
- Symphony No. 1 (1955)
- Symphony No. 2 (1965)
- Symphony No. 3 (1979) Commissioned by Musica Nova.
- Symphony No. 4 - Passeleth Tapestry (1988) Commissioned by Renfrew District Council together with Strathclyde Regional Council to mark Paisley's 500th anniversary as a Burgh of Barony.
- Symphony No. 5 (1998) Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber OrchestraScottish Chamber OrchestraThe Scottish Chamber Orchestra is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears...
. - Concerto For Orchestra (1967)
- Concerto For Piano and Orchestra (1985) Commissioned by Bryden ThomsonBryden ThomsonBryden Thomson was a Scottish conductor.Bryden Thomson was born in Ayr. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra from 1977 to 1985...
for David WildeDavid WildeDavid Wilde is an English pianist and composer. As a boy he studied with Solomon and his pupil Franz Reizenstein, who had also studied composition with Hindemith and Vaughan Williams...
and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. - Viola Concerto (1987) Commissioned by James Durrant with assistance from the BBCSSO Trust.
- Violin Concerto (1993) Commissioned by the National Youth Orchestra of ScotlandNational Youth Orchestra of ScotlandThe National Youth Orchestras of Scotland has provided music education and performance experience for young musicians throughout Scotland since its formation in 1979....
and BP for Ernst Kovacic. - Guitar Concerto (1996) Commissioned by Phillip Thorne.
- Variations For Orchestra (1960)
- Pas De Quoi (1964) Six little dances for strings.
- Touchstone (1967) Commissioned by the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
for the Sir Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. - Threnody (1970)
- Ritornelli Per Archi (1972) Commissioned for the Edinburgh FestivalEdinburgh FestivalThe Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble. - Mosaics (1981) Commissioned for Cantilena by Radio Clyde.
- Introit (1982) Commissioned by BBC.
- St Kentigern Suite (1986) Commissioned by The Friends of Glasgow Cathedral.
- Carillon (1990) Commissioned by Glasgow city council in 1990 as part of its European City of Culture celebrations, as the inaugural work to celebrate the opening of the city's new Royal Concert Hall.
- Toccata for Orchestra (1959)
Choral works
- Ave Maria/Pater Noster (1967)
- Night Songs (1967) Commissioned by the John Currie Singers
- Missa Pro Mundo Conturbato (1970) Commissioned by the John Currie Singers.
- Te Deum (1971) Large Chorus. Commissioned by the Edinburgh FestivalEdinburgh FestivalThe Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
for the opening concert on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. - Sequentiae Passions (1971) Large Chamber Choir. Commissioned by Musica Nova.
- Ubi Caritas et Amor (1976) Commissioned by the Baccholian Singers for the City of London Festival.
- Songs of Hope and Expectation (1977) Chamber Choir Commissioned by the John Currie Singers.
- Amor Christi (1989) Chamber Choir. Commissioned the Scottish Philharmonic Singers.
- Cantigas Para Semana Santa (1992) Commissioned by Cappella Nova
- Confitemini Domino (1993) Commissioned by the Royal College of OrganistsRoyal College of OrganistsThe Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
to celebrate their 100th Anniversary
A Cappella Masses
- St. Augustine (1955)
- Mass in Polyphonic Style (1960)
- Missa Brevis (1960)
- Mass based on a Bach Chorale(1961)
Operas
- The Charcoal Burner Opera in one act. 8 characters. Libretto: Edwin MorganEdwin MorganEdwin George Morgan was a Scottish poet and translator who was associated with the Scottish Renaissance. He is widely recognised as one of the foremost Scottish poets of the 20th century. In 1999, Morgan was made the first Glasgow Poet Laureate...
. (1968) Commissioned by the BBC. - The Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1975) Opera in 3 acts. 3 main characters plus chorus Libretto: John Currie (based on the novel "The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner" by James HoggJames HoggJames Hogg was a Scottish poet and novelist who wrote in both Scots and English.-Early life:James Hogg was born in a small farm near Ettrick, Scotland in 1770 and was baptized there on 9 December, his actual date of birth having never been recorded...
). Commissioned by Scottish OperaScottish OperaScottish Opera is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies funded by the Scottish Government...
.
Brass band
- Sinfonietta (1967) Commissioned by the Scottish Amateur Music Association for the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.
- Cartoon for Cornet (1969) Commissioned by Robert Oughton and the Scottish CWS Band.
- Refrains and Cadenzas (1984) Commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival and used as the test piece for the European Championships in 1984.
Vocal
- By The Waters Of Babylon (1951) A Capella
- Three Orkney Songs (1961) Commissioned by the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. Sop/Bar and Quintet. - Six Scots Songs (1962) Commissioned by the Baccholian Singers for the City of London FestivalCity of London FestivalThe City of London Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place in the City of London, England, over two to three weeks in June and July. The Festival is strongly geared towards classical music, but also offers a programme that includes jazz, world music, opera, film screenings, lectures...
. Voice and piano. - Carmina Sacra (1964) Orchestral / Version also for voice and keyboard.
- My Soul Longs for Thee (1967) SSA and Organ.
- Night Songs (1967) Commissioned by the John Currie Singers. A Capella.
- One Foot In Eden (1977) Commissioned by Josephine Nendick. Orchestral / Version also for voice and piano.
- The Willow Branches (1983) Seven Songs from the Chinese. Commissioned by Marilyn de Blieck. Orchestral / Version also for voice and piano.
Chamber works
- String Quartet No. 2 (1954)
- String Quartet No. 3 (1958) McEwen Composition Prize
- String Quartet No. 4 (1978) Commissioned by the Edinburgh String Quartet.
- Violin Sonata(1961) Commissioned by the University of GlasgowUniversity of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. - Concerto Da Camera (1965) Commissioned by Bernicia Ensemble.
- Sonatina For Clarinet and Piano (1962)
- Pas De Quoi (1965) Six little dances for strings.
- Piano Trio (1966) Commissioned by the Scottish Trio
- Sinfonia for Seven Instruments (1968) Commissioned by the University of GlasgowUniversity of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
- Sonata For Cello And Piano (1971) Commissioned by Glasgow Chamber Music Society.
- Canti Notturni (1972) Commissioned by the Clarina Ensemble.
- Ritornelli Per Archi (1972) Commissioned by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble for the Edinburgh FestivalEdinburgh FestivalThe Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
. - Complementi (1973) Commissioned by Clarina Ensemble.
- Mosaics (1981) Commissioned for Cantilena by Radio Clyde.
- Chamber Concerto (1985) Commissioned by the New Music Group of Scotland.
- St Kentigern Suite (1986) Commissioned by the Friends of Glasgow Cathedral, on the occasion of the Cathedral's 850th anniversary.
- Chamber Symphony (1990) Commissioned by Paragon Ensemble and Glasgow District Council as part of the celebrations during Glasgow's reign as European City of Culture 1990.
- Threads (1996) Commissioned by Duo Contemporain.
- Sunset Song (2011) arranged by Kenny Letham from incidental music originally commissioned by the BBC.
Instrumental
- Sonatina (1956) For Piano.
- Sonata (1964) For Piano.
- Three Pieces - Reverie, Tzigane, Valse Viennoise (1964) For Piano. Later arranged for two guitars.
- Fantasia (1964) For Cello.
- Soliloquy (1969) For Guitar. Commissioned by Glasgow Master Concerts for Julian BreamJulian BreamJulian Bream, CBE is an English classical guitarist and lutenist and is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of the 20th century. He has also been successful in renewing popular interest in the Renaissance lute....
. - Three Pieces (1971) For Guitar.
- Coplas Del Ruisenor (1972) For Guitar. Commissioned by Angelo Gilardino.
- Cancion (1982) For Guitar.
- Incunabula (1983) For Piano.
- Dream Music (1983) For Guitar. Commissioned by Phillip Thorne.
- Toccata Festevole (1991) For Organ. Commissioned by the Paisley International Organ Festival.
- Chanson De Geste (1991) For Solo Horn. Commissioned by Redcliffe Concerts.
Incidental Music
- The Face of Love (1954) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Witchwood (1954) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Glencoe (1955) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Susannah and the Elders (1955) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Storm (1956) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Oggs Log (1956) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- All in Good Faith (1957) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- A Nest of Singing Birds (1957) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- The Boy David (1957) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- For Tae Be King (1957) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- The Great Montrose (1958) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- The Wallace (1959) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Enquiry (1960) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Brush Off the Dust (1964) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Checkpoint (1965) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1965) Commissioned by BBCTV
- Robert Burns (1965) Commissioned by BBCTV
- A Season for Mirth (1966) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- A Spell for Green Corn (1967) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Ships of the ’45 (1968) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- The March of the ’45 (1969) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Sunset Song (Part 1 of A Scots Quair) (1971) Commissioned by BBCTV
- The New Road (1973) Commissioned by BBCTV
- There was a Man (1980) Commissioned by Radio Clyde
- Summer Solstice (1980) Commissioned by Radio Clyde
- The House with the Green Shutters (1980) Commissioned by BBC Radio
- Cloud Howe (Part 2 of A Scots Quair) (1982) Commissioned by BBCTV
- Grey Granite {Part 3 of A Scots Quair) (1983) Commissioned by BBCTV
- Voyage of St Brandon (1984) Commissioned by BBCTV
- Murder Not Proven (1984) Commissioned by BBCTV
- Gaudi (N.D.) Commissioned by BBCTV
- The Castle of May (N.D.) Commissioned by BBCTV
Recordings
Works which have been recorded include:- Cancion for Guitar (2003) Tuomo Tirronen; MSR Classics MS1214
- Cancion for Guitar (2008) Stefan Grasse; Xolo CD1015
- Cancion for Guitar (2009) Allan Neave; Delphian DCD34079
- Cartoon (1995) West Lothian Schools Brass Band; Polyphonic Reproductions Ltd. QPRL075D
- Cartoon (1998) Royal Norwegian Navy Band; Doyen Series DOYCD083
- Cartoon (2000) West Lothian Celebrity Winds; 'Celebrations'
- Cello Sonata (1993) Alla Vasilieva & Alexei Smitov; Russian Disc RDCD00680
- Chamber Symphony (1993) Paragon Ensemble; Continuum Ltd. CCD1032
- Complementi (2011) Daniel's Beard; Meridian CDE84607
- Confitemini Domino (2005) Bearsden Choir; Norsound NM-050344
- Coplas del Ruiseñor for Guitar (2008) Stefan Grasse; Xolo CD1015
- Fantasia for 'Cello (1993) Alla Vasilieva; Russian Disc RDCD00680
- Incunabula for Piano (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322
- Incunabula for Piano (2009) Simon Smith; Delphian DCD34079
- Introit (1988) Scottish National Orchestra; Queensgate Music
- Piano Concerto (1988) Scottish National Orchestra; Queensgate Music
- Piano Sonata (1991) Peter Sievewright; Merlin Records MRFD891706
- Piano Sonata (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322
- Piano Sonata (2009) Simon Smith; Delphian DCD34097
- Piano Sonatina (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322
- Piano Trio (2009) Delphian DCD34097
- Refrains and Cadenzas (1997) Grimethorp Colliery Band; Chandos Brass CHAN4549
- St Kentigern Suite (1990) Scottish Ensemble; Virgin Classics Ltd. VC7 91112-2 260421-231
- St Kentigern Suite (1996) RSAMD Chamber Orchestra; RSAMD
- String Quartet No. 3 (2009) Edinburgh Quartet; Delphian DCD34097
- Sinfonietta for Brass Band (1997) National Youth Brass Band of Scotland; Amadeus AMSCD027
- There is no Rose (1998) Cappella Nova; Rota RTCD001
- Three Pieces for Guitar (1997) Allan Neave; BGS Records BGCD104
- Three Pieces for Guitar (2009) Allan Neave; Delphian DCD34097
- Three Pieces for Piano (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322
- Violin Concerto (1993) National Youth Orchestra of Scotland; NYOS Records NYOS001