John Rimmer (born 5 February 1939) is a

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

composer.

Biography

John Francis Rimmer was born in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 from the

University of New Zealand The University of New Zealand was New Zealand's sole degree-granting university from 1874 to 1961. It was a collegiate university embracing several constituent institutions at various locations around New Zealand. After it was dissolved in 196 ...

in 1961, a Master of Arts in 1963 from the

University of Auckland , mottoeng = By natural ability and hard work , established = 1883; years ago , endowment = NZD $293 million (31 December 2021) , budget = NZD $1.281 billion (31 December 2021) , chancellor = Cecilia Tarrant , vice_chancellor = Dawn F ...

with Ronald Tremain, where he also completed post-graduate studies in musicology. He continued his studies, earning a Doctor of Music degree in 1972 from the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 ...

in electronic music with

Gustav Ciamaga Gustav Ciamaga (April 10, 1930 – June 11, 2011) was a Canadian composer, music educator, and writer. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers, he was best known for his compositions of electroni ...

and in composition with

John Weinzweig John Jacob Weinzweig, (March 11, 1913 – August 24, 2006) was a Canadian composer of classical music. Weinzweig was born in Toronto. He went to Harbord Collegiate Institute, and studied music at the university. In 1937, he left for the United St ...

. After completing his education, Rimmer worked as a lecturer at North Shores Teachers College in Auckland from 1970–74 and taught at the University of Auckland from 1974–99, where he was awarded a chair in music in 1995. He served as composer-in-residence at the

University of Otago , image_name = University of Otago Registry Building2.jpg , image_size = , caption = University clock tower , motto = la, Sapere aude , mottoeng = Dare to be wise , established = 1869; 152 years ago , type = Public research collegiate ...

in 1972 and to the

Auckland Philharmonia The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) is a symphony orchestra based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its principal concert venue is the Auckland Town Hall. The APO is the accompanying ensemble for performances by NZ Opera and the Royal New Zealan ...

in 2002–03. Rimmer founded the electronic music studio at the University of Auckland in 1976 and the Karlheinz Company in 1978. His works have been performed internationally in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. Rimmer and his wife Helen reside in Tapu Bay, Kaiteriteri, New Zealand. Notable students include

Susan Frykberg Susan Frykberg (born 10 October 1954) is an electroacoustic music, electroacoustic composer and a sound artist. She also composes acoustic music in a variety of genres. Life Susan Frykberg was born in Hastings, New Zealand, Hastings, New Zealand, ...

and Dorothy Ker.

Honors and awards

Rimmer received a number of prizes and awards in recognition of his contributions to music, including: *Philip Neil Memorial Prize, University of Otago in Dunedin, 1971, for ''Composition 2'' *Philip Neil Memorial Prize, University of Otago in Dunedin, 2003, for ''Bowed Insights'' *First Prize in the International Horn competition in the USA, 1983, for De Aestibus Rerum'' *Prix de la Confédération Internationale de la Musique Électroacoustique de Bourges, 1986, for ''Fleeting Images''

Works

Rimmer composes for stage, orchestra, chamber, choral, piano, and electroacoustic performances. His compositions have been recorded and are available on media. Selected works include: *''At the Appointed Time'', for orchestra *''A dialogue of opposites'', for cello solo *''Au concerto'', for bass clarinet and ensemble *''Bowed Insights'', for string quartet *''Beyond the saying'', electronic music *Concerto for viola and orchestra (1980) *''Composition 2'', for wind quintet and electronic sounds *''December Nights'', for chamber orchestra *''De Aestibus Rerum'', for chamber quintet *''Europa concerto'', for brass band and orchestra *''Fleeting Images'', electroacoustic work *''Mahurangi – Place of Importance'' for solo viola (1992)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimmer, John 1939 births 20th-century classical composers Living people New Zealand classical composers Male classical composers New Zealand music teachers People from Auckland University of Auckland alumni University of Auckland faculty University of New Zealand alumni University of Otago faculty University of Toronto alumni 20th-century male musicians