Composers
A list of web sited dedicated to British composers. When available, we've included publications specific to that composer as well. You may also want to visit Boosey.com for information on many of the composers listed below.
Balfe, Michael W.
Tyldesley, William. Balfe, Michael W; His Life and His English Operas. London: Ashgate, 2003.
Bax, Arnold
Foreman, L. Bax. London: Scolar Press, 1983.
Foreman, L. Dermot O'Byrne: the poems of Arnold Bax. Thames, ?
Hull, R. Arnold Bax. 1921.
Parlett, G. A Catalogue of the Works of Sir Arnold Bax. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999.
Bennett, William Sterndale
Daubney, B. "The Twelve Songs op 25/35," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Williamson, R. William Sterndale Bennett: a descriptive thematic catalogue. N.Y.: Oxford, 1996.
Berkeley, Lennox
Craggs, S. Lennox Berkeley: a source book. Brookfield, VT: Ashgate Press, 2000.
Dickinson, P. Music of Lennox Berkeley. Thames, ?
Berners, Lord
Amory, M. Lord Berners: The Last Eccentric. Pimlico/Random House, 1998.
Bliss, Arthur
Bliss, A. As I Remember. Thames, ?
Craggs, S. Arthur Bliss: a bio-bibliography. Bookfield, VT: Ashgate Press, 1996.
Foreman, L. Arthur Bliss: catalogue of the complete works. Sevenoaks: Novello, 1980.
Roscow, G., ed.. Bliss on Music: selected writings of Arthur Bliss. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1991.
Sugden, J. Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers: Sir Arthur Bliss. New York: Omnibus Press, 1997.
Bridge, Frank
Bray, T. Frank Bridge - a life in brief. Thames, 2000.
Hindmarsh, P. Frank Bridge: a thematic catalogue. Thames, ?
Little, K. Frank Bridge: a bio-bibliography. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1991.
Payne, A. Frank Bridge: radical and conservative. Thames, 1999.
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #3, Delius, Bridge and Somervell. London: Thames Publishing, 1993.
Pirie, P. Frank Bridge. Triad Press, 1971.
Britten, Benjamin
MusicWeb.uk
Emory University
Craggs, S. Benjamin Britten: a bio-bibliography. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 2002.
Evans, J.; Reed, P.; Wilson, P.. A Britten Source Book. Aldeburgh: Britten Estate Ltd., 1987.
Evans, P. The Music of Benjamin Britten. Revised. Oxford, 1996.
Carpenter, H. Benjamin Britten. Charles Scribners, 1992.
Gishford, A. Tribute to Benjamin Britten on his 50th Birthday. Faber, 1963.
Holst, I. Britten. Faber, 1966.
Kendall, A. Benjamin Britten. MacMillan, 1974.
Palmer, C., editor. The Britten Companion. Faber, 1984.
White, E. Benjamin Britten: a sketch of his life & works. Second edition. London, 1954.
Whittall, A. The Music of Britten and Tippett: studies in themes and techniques. Cambridge, 1990.
Young, P. Britten. Cornerstone Library, 1969.
Burrows, Benjamin
"A Brief Obsession--Benjamin Burrows's 'Jane Vowles' Songs," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Bush, Alan
Bush, N. Alan Bush - music, politics and life. Thames, 2000.
Bush, Geoffrey
Bush, G. Left, Right and Centre: reflections on composers and composing. Thames, 1983.
Bush, G. Unsentimental Education: selected essays and autobiography. Thames, 1990.
Butterworth, George
Barlow, M. Whom the Gods Love: the life and music of George Butterworth. London: Toccata Press, 1997.
Byrd, William
Turbet, R. "Melodious Byrde-the songs of William Byrd," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Campion, Thomas
Davis, W. The Works of Thomas Campion. Doubleday, 1967.
Lindley, D. Thomas Campion. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1986.
Pilkington, M. Campion, Dowland and the Lutenist Songwriters. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Coates, Eric
Self, G. In Town Tonight (Eric Coates). Thames, ?
Collins, Peter
Jones, M. "Peter Collins and the Future of the Song-Cycle," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Davies, Peter Maxwell
Pruslin, S., ed. Peter Maxwell Davies. Boosey & Hawkes: Tempo Booklet #2, 1979.
Smith, C. Peter Maxwell Davies: a bio-bibliography. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1995.
Delius, Frederick
Fenby, E. Delius as I Knew Him. London, 1936.
Fenby, E. Fenby On Delius. Thames, ?
Heseltine, P. Frederick Delius. Revised edition. Oxford, 1952.
Holland, A. Songs of Frederick Delius. Oxford, 1951.
Hutchings, A. Delius: a critical biography. Macmillan, 1948.
Jahoda, G. The Road to Samarkand: Frederick Delius and his music. Scribner, 1969.
Jefferson, A. Delius. Dent, 1972.
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #3, Delius, Bridge and Somervell. London: Thames Publishing, 1993.
Redwood, C. A Delius Companion. London: Calder, 1976.
Smith, B. Frederick Delius and Peter Warlock: A Friendship Revealed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Tomlinson, F. Warlock and Delius. Thames, 1978.
Dieren, Bernard Van
Chisholm, A. Bernard Van Dieren. Thames, ?
Tomlinson, F. Warlock and Van Dieren. Thames, 1978.
Dowland, John
Pilkington, M. Campion, Dowland and the Lutenist Songwriters. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Poulton, D. John Dowland. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, 1982.
Spink, I. English Song, Dowland to Purcell. Batsford, 1974.
Dunhill, Thomas
Dunhill, D. Thomas Dunhill: maker of music. Thames, ?.
Elgar, Edward
Anderson, W. Introduction to the Music of Elgar. London, 1949.
Buckley, R. Sir Edward Elgar. J. Lane, 1905.
Collett, B. Elgar Country. Thames, ?
Craggs, S. Edward Elgar: a source book. Brookfield, Vt: Ashgate Press, 1995.
Dunhill T. Sir Edward Elgar. London, 1938.
Hurd, M. Elgar. Crowell, 1969.
Kennedy, M. Portrait of Elgar. Third Edition. N.Y.: Oxford, 1993.
Maine, B. Elgar: his life and works. Two volumes. London, 1933.
McNaught, W. Elgar. Novello Short Biographies, no date.
Moore, J. Edward Elgar: a creative life. N.Y.: Oxford, 1984.
Mundy, S. Elgar. New York: Omnibus, 1984.
Newman, E. Elgar. London, 1922.
Porte, J. Elgar and His Music. Pitman, 1933.
Powell, Mrs. P. Edward Elgar: memories of a variation. Oxford, 1947.
Young, P. Elgar. Collins, 1955.
Ferguson, Howard
Ferguson, H. & Hurd, M., editors. Letters of Gerald Finzi and Howard Ferguson. Rochester, NY: Boydell & Brewer, 2002.
Ridout, A. The Music of Howard Ferguson: a symposium. Thames, ?
Finnissy, Michael
Brougham, H.; Fox, C.; Pace, I. Uncommon Ground: the music of Michael Finnissy. Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate, 1997.
Finzi, Gerald
Finzi.org
Boosey Publishing
Banfield, S. Gerald Finzi: An English Composer. London: Faber & Faber, 1997.
Dressler, J. Gerald Finzi: a bio-bibliography. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1997.
Ferguson, H. & Hurd, M., editors. Letters of Gerald Finzi and Howard Ferguson. Rochester, NY: Boydell & Brewer, 2002.
Gibbs, C. Armstrong
Hancock-Child, R. A Ballad-Maker: the life and songs of C. Armstrong Gibbs. London: Thames, 1993.
Goehr, Alexander;
Latham, A. Sing Ariel: essays & thoughts for Alexander Goehr's Seventieth Birthday (1932-). Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2003.
Grainger, Percy
Bird, J. Percy Grainger. London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999.
Foreman, L, ed. The Percy Grainger Companion. London: Thames, 1981.
Percy Grainger, 1882-1961. London: Schott & Co., 1982.
Gillies, M., ed. Grainger on Music. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999.
Gilles, M., Ed. A Portrait of Percy Grainger. Rochester, NY: Boydell & Brewer, 2002
Mellers, W. Percy Grainger. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1992.
Parker, D. Percy Aldridge Grainger. Schirmer, 1918.
Gray, Cecil
Gray, C. Musical Chairs, or, Between Two Stools. London: Hogarth, 1985.
Gray, P. Cecil Gray - his life and notebooks. Thames, ?
Gurney, Ivor
Blevins, P. & Robinson, J. "A Journey Through a Darkening Landscape-Ivor Gurney and Edward Thomas," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Blunden, E. Foreword to Poems by Ivor Gurney. Hutchinson, 1954.
Hurd, I. The Ordeal of Ivor Gurney. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1984.
Moore, C. Ivor Gurney, Poet and Songwriter. Triad Press, 1976.
Pilkington, M. Gurney, Ireland, Quilter and Warlock. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Harrison, Julius
Self, G. Julius Harrison and the Importunate Muse. Brookfield, VT: Ashgate Press, 1993.
Self, G. "The Songs of Julius Harrison," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Harty, Hamilton
Greer, D. Hamilton Harty. Da Capo Press, 1980.
Head, Michael
Bush, N. Michael Head: composer singer pianist. London: Kahn & Averill, 1982.
Hedges, Anthony
Bayliss, C. The Music of Anthony Hedges. Hull: Humberside Leisure Services, 1990.
Holst, Gustav
Holst, I. Gustav Holst. Oxford, 1938.
Holst, I. The Music of Gustav Holst. Second edition. Oxford, 1968.
Holst, I. Holst. Novello Short Biographies, 1972.
Holst, I. Gustav Holst: a biography. Second edition. Oxford, 1969.
Dickinson, A.E.F. Holst's Music: a guide. London: Thames, ?
Gibbs, A. Holst Among Friends. London: Thames, 2000.
Mitchell, J. A Comprehensive Biography of Composer Gustav Holst with Correspondence and Diary Excerpts. Lewiston: Edwin Mellen Press, 2001.
Rubbra, E. Gustav Holst. Lyrebird Press, 1947.
Short, M. Gustav Holst. Oxford, 1990.
Howells, Herbert
Palmer, C. Herbert Howells. Novello, 1978.
Spicer, P. Herbert Howells. Brigend, Wales: Seren, 1998.
Ireland, John
Chester, J. John Ireland. London, 1923.
Craggs, S, ed. John Ireland: a catalogue, discography, and bibliography. Ox. Univ. Press, 1993.
Longmire, J. John Ireland: portrait of a friend. Baker, 1969.
Pilkington, M. Gurney, Ireland, Quilter and Warlock. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Scott-Sutherland, C. John Ireland. Triad, 1980.
Searle, M. John Ireland: the man and his music. London: Midas, 1979.
Lambert, Constant
Motion, A. The Lamberts: George, Constant and Kit. London: Chatto & Windus, 1986.
Shead, R. Constant Lambert. Thames, ?.
Lawes, Henry Evans, W. Henry Lawes, Musician and Friend of Poets. N.Y.: Modern Language Association of America, 1941.
Spink, I. Henry Lawes: Cavalier Songwriter. N.Y. Oxford Univ. Press, 2000.
McCabe, John
Craggs, S. John McCabe: a bio-bibliography. Westport, CN: Greenwood, 1991.
Milford, Robin
Copley, I. Robin Milford. Thames, 1984.
Moeran, E.J.Moeran Site
Hill, L. Lonely Waters. Thames, 1985.
Self, G. The Music of E.J. Moeran. Toccata, 1986.
Wild, S. E.J. Moeran. Triad, 1973.
Orr, Charles W.
Wilson, J. C.W. Orr: the unknown song composer. Thames, 1989. Considerable bibliography on Orr listed.
Parry, Hubert
Dibble, J. C. Hubert H. Parry: his life and music. OUP, 1992.
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #5, Parry & Stanford. London: Thames Publishing, 1997.
Fuller-Maitland, J. The Music of Parry & Stanford. Cambridge: Heffer, 1934.
Purcell, Henry
Burden, M. Performing the Music of Henry Purcell. OUP, 1996.
Holman, P. Henry Purcell. Oxford, 1995.
Holst, I. Henry Purcell, Essays on His Music. Oxford, 1959.
King, R. Henry Purcell. London: Thames & Hudson, 1994.
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #4, Purcell. London: Thames Publishing, 1994.
Spink, I. English Song, Dowland to Purcell. Batsford, 1974.
Westrup, J. Purcell. Dent, 1960.
Zimmerman, F. Henry Purcell. Macmillan, 1967.
Zimmerman, F. Henry Purcell: an analytical catalogue of his music. Macmillan, 1963.
Quilter, Roger
Hold, T. The Walled in Garden: songs of Roger Quilter. Thames, 1996.
Langfield, V. Roger Quilter: His Life and Music. Rochester, NY: Boydell & Brewer, 2002.
Pilkington, M. Gurney, Ireland, Quilter and Warlock. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Rawsthorne, Alan
McCabe, J. Alan Rawsthorne: Portrait of a Composer. N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Rowley, Alec
Kington, B. "A Commemoration of Alec Rowley," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Rubbra, Edmund
Grover, R. The Music of Edmund Rubbra. England: Scolar Press, 1993.
Ottoway, H. Edmund Rubbra, an Appreciation. Surrey: Lengnick, 1981.
Somervell, Arthur
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #3, Delius, Bridge and Somervell. London: Thames Publishing, 1993.
Stanford, Charles
Dibble, Jeremy. Charles Villiers Stanford: Man and Musician. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Fuller-Maitland, J. The Music of Parry & Stanford. Cambridge: Heffer, 1934.
Greene, H. Charles Villiers Stanford. London, 1935.
Pilkington, M. English Solo Song guides to the repertoire: #5, Parry & Stanford. London: Thames Publishing, 1997.
Porte, J. Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. London, 1921.
Rodmell, P. Charles Villiers Stanford. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2002
Sullivan, Sir Arthur
Hold, T. "The Window, or the Songs of the Wrens-the first English song cycle," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Hughes, G. The Music of Arthur Sullivan. Macmillan, 1960.
Jacobs, A. Arthur Sullivan: a Victorian musician. Second Edition. Portland, OR: Amadeus Press, 1992.
Sullivan, H. & Flower, N. Sir Arthur Sullivan. London, 1927.
Tippett, Michael
Bowen, M., ed. Tippett On Music. Oxford, 1995.
Clarke, D. The Music and Thought of Michael Tippett. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Clarke, D. Language, Form, and Structure in the Music of Michael Tippett, 2 vols. NY: Garland Publishing, 1989.
Hurd, M. Tippett. Novello Short Biographies, 1978.
Kemp, I. Michael Tippett: a symposium on his 60th birthday. Faber, 1965.
Kemp, I. Tippett: the composer and his music. Oxford, 1987.
Matthews, D. Michael Tippett. Faber, 1980.
Whittall, A. The Music of Britten and Tippett: studies in themes and techniques. Cambridge, 1990.
Vaughan Williams, Ralph
Day, J. Vaughan Williams, third edition. London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1998.
Dickinson, A. Vaughan Williams. Faber, 1963.
Dickinson, A. An Introduction to the Music of R. Vaughan Williams. Oxford, 1945.
Foss, H. Ralph Vaughan Williams. Oxford, 1950.
Howes, F. The Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Oxford, 1964.
Kennedy, M. A Catalogue of the Works of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Second Edition. N.Y.: Oxford, 1996.
Kennedy, M. The Works of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Second Edition. Oxford, 1964.
Lunn, J.& Vaughan Williams, U. Ralph Vaughan Williams: a pictorial biography. Oxford, 1971.
Mellers, W. Vaughan Williams and the Vision of Albion. London: Pimlico, 1989.
Ottaway, H. Vaughan Williams. Novello Short Biographies, 1966.
Pakenham, S. Ralph Vaughan Williams: a discovery of his music. Macmillan, 1957.
Vaughan Williams, U. R.V.W.: a biography of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Oxford, 1965.
Walton, William
Burton, Humphrey & Murray, Maureen. William Walton†The Romantic Loner. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Craggs, S., ed. William Walton: a catalogue. Oxford, 1990.
Howes, F. The Music of William Walton. Oxford, 1974.
Kennedy, M. Portrait of Walton. Oxford Univ. Press, 1998.
Lloyd, S. William Walton: Muse of Fire. Rochester, NY: Boydell & Brewer, 2002.
Smith, C. William Walton: a bio-bibliography. N.Y.: Greenwood Press, 1988.
Tierney, N. William Walton. London: Hale, 1984.
Walton, S. William Walton: behind the facade. Oxford, 1988.
Warlock, Peter (Philip Heseltine)
Collins, B. "Peter Warlock-a pre-centenary re-appraisal," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Peter Warlock the composer. Scolar Press, 1997.
Copley, I. The Music of Peter Warlock: a critical survey. Dennis Dobson, 1979.
Cox, D. & Bishop, J. Peter Warlock: a centenary celebration-the man-his music-his world. London: Thames, 1994.
Gray, C. Peter Warlock. Cape, 1934.
Parrott, I. The Crying Curlew: Peter Warlock: Family & Influences. Llandysul, Dybed: Gomer, 1994.
Pilkington, M.. Gurney, Ireland, Quilter and Warlock. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989.
Smith, B. Peter Warlock: the life of Philip Heseltine. N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press, 1994.
Smith, B. Frederick Delius and Peter Warlock: A Friendship Revealed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Smith, B., ed. The Occasional Writings (Complete) of Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock). Volumes 1 - 4. Thames, 1998-99.
Tomlinson, F. Warlock and Delius. Thames, 1978.
Tomlinson, F. Warlock and Van Dieren. Thames, 1978.
Tomlinson, F. Warlock and Blunt. Thames, 1981.
Tomlinson, F. A Peter Warlock Handbook. Two Volumes. Triad, 1974 & 1977.
A New Peter Warlock Solo Songs Critical Edition, 8 volumes, edited by Michael Pilkington, published by Thames, published in 2004-5.
Wishart, Peter
Roberts, D. "The Songs of Peter Wishart," Aspects of British Song. British Music Society, 1992.
Wood, Charles
Copley, I. The Music of Charles Wood: a critical study. Thames, 1978.
Music Centres
The British Music Information Centre is one of musical England's great resources, housing thousands of 20th century British works, both vocal and instrumental. It is an important source for manuscripts, printed material, composer websites, and current events. The staff is very helpful. Contact them at:
Also listed are related Music Information Centre addresses. Similar to BMIC, these centres may include web sites for their composers.
The British Music Information Centre
10 Stratford Place
London W1N 9AE
E-mail: bmic@bmic.co.uk
Australian Music Centre Ltd
1st Floor, 18 Argyle St
The Rocks
NSW 1000, Australia
E-mail: info@amcoz.com.au
Canadian Music Centre
Chalmers House, 20 St Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1J9, Canada
E-mail: info@musiccentre.ca
Ireland Contemporary Music Centre
95 Lower Baggot St
Dublin 2, Ireland
E-mail: info@cmc.ie
New Zealand Music Centre
PO Box 10-042
Wellington, New Zealand
E-mail: Sounz@actrix.gen.nz
Scottish Music Centre
Scottish Music Information Centre
1 Bowmont Gardens
Glasgow G12 9LR, Scotland
E-mail: smic@glasgow.almac.co.uk
Welsh Music Information Centre
c/o ASSL, University of Wales College of Cardiff
Cardiff CF1 1XL, Wales
Fax: +44-1222-371921
General Links
An extensive page that includes songs in 21 other languages, and thousands of texts to English songs.
A huge directory of music sites of all descriptions.