Julian Philips is a British composer. Philips' works have been performed at major music festivals, including

The Proms The BBC Proms or Proms, formally named 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 Hal ...

Tanglewood Tanglewood is a music venue in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. It has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Tanglewood is also home to three music schools: the ...

Three Choirs Festival 200px, Worcester cathedral 200px, Gloucester cathedral The Three Choirs Festival is a music festival held annually at the end of July, rotating among the cathedrals of the Three Counties (Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester) and originally featu ...

, at the

Wigmore Hall Wigmore Hall is a concert hall located at 36 Wigmore Street, London. Originally called Bechstein Hall, it specialises in performances of chamber music, early music, vocal music and song recitals. It is widely regarded as one of the world's leadin ...

South Bank Centre Southbank Centre is a complex of artistic venues in London, England, on the South Bank of the River Thames (between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge). It comprises three main performance venues (the Royal Festival Hall including the Nat ...

and

Berlin Philharmonic The Berlin Philharmonic (german: Berliner Philharmoniker, links=no, italic=no) is a German orchestra based in Berlin. It is one of the most popular, acclaimed and well-respected orchestras in the world. History The Berlin Philharmonic was fo ...

Chamber Music Hall and by international artists such as

Gerald Finley Gerald Hunter Finley, (born January 30, 1960) is a Canadian baritone opera singer. Early life Finley was born in Montreal and studied music at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Ottawa, the University of Ottawa, King's College, Cambridge and the Ro ...

Dawn Upshaw Dawn Upshaw (born July 17, 1960) is an American soprano. She is the recipient of several Grammy Awards and has released a number of Edison Award-winning discs; she performs both opera and art song, and her repertoire spans Baroque to contempor ...

, Sir Thomas Allen, the Vertavo String Quartet, the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, the BBC orchestras and the Aurora Orchestra. He has had a number of broadcasts and was the subject of a BBC Wales TV documentary and a BBC 2 series. In 2007, Philips was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from the Guildhall School, and subsequently conferred with a Professorship.

Early life

Philips was born in Wales in 1969, brought up in Warwickshire, studied Music at

Emmanuel College, Cambridge Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Elizabeth I. The site on which the college sits was once a priory for Dominican mon ...

, completing his doctorate at Sussex University.

Career

Philips took up the post of Head of Composition at the

Guildhall School of Music and Drama The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a conservatoire and drama school located in the City of London, United Kingdom. Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz ...

in 2004 transforming the Guildhall Composition Department while also establishing a series of flag-ship projects, most notably a Doctoral Composer-in-Residence scheme, and an MA in Opera-Making & Writing, both in association with the

Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. It is the home of The Royal Op ...

, Covent Garden. For over a decade, Philips has led the ''Wigmore Study Group'' an innovative adult education group which he established for the

, and has enjoyed a particular association with the

Orchestra of the Swan Orchestra of the Swan is a British professional chamber orchestra based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. It is Resident Orchestra at the Royal Birmingham ConservatoireThe Courtyard Hereford Warwick Hall and the Stratford Play House with reg ...

, both through a series of commissions and education projects. In 2007, Philips was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from the Guildhall School, and subsequently conferred with a Professorship.

Works

Philips held the

Glyndebourne Glyndebourne () is an English country house, the site of an opera house that, since 1934, has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The house, located near Lewes in East Sussex, England, is thought to be about six hun ...

's first Composer in Residence. He is published by Edition Peters. Whilst at Glyndebourne, Philips completed two chamber operas in 2006-2009, ''Followers'' with

libretto A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the t ...

by Simon Christmas and ''The Yellow Sofa'' with a libretto by Edward Kemp. He then went on to write his youth opera '' Knight Crew'' for

with a libretto by Nicky Singer; the opera subsequently featured in a BBC 2 documentary. His opera ''How the Whale Became'', again with a libretto by Edward Kemp, was written for the 2013/14

's Christmas season. In 2017, Philips' opera '' The Tale of Januarie'' received its premiere at the

in London, based on Chaucer's ''

The Merchant's Tale "The Merchant's Tale" ( enm, The Marchantes Tale) is one of Geoffrey Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales''. In it Chaucer subtly mocks antifeminist literature like that of Theophrastus ("Theofraste"). The tale also shows the influence of Boccaccio ( ...

'' with a

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

libretto by writer Stephen Plaice''. In 2003, Philips collaborated with British choreographer

Michael Corder Michael Corder (born 17 March 1955) is a British choreographer and director. Corder trained at the Royal Ballet School and joined the Royal Ballet itself in 1973. References British choreographers British male ballet dancers 1955 births ...

on a new full-length ballet based on ''

Les Liaisons Dangereuses ''Les Liaisons dangereuses'' (; English: ''Dangerous Liaisons'') is a French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, first published in four volumes by Durand Neveu from March 23, 1782. It is the story of the Marquise de Merteuil and ...

'' for

English National Ballet English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin as London Festival Ballet and based in London, England. Along with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and Scottish ...

, collaborating again with Corder on a Prokofiev-based score for ''The Snow Queen'', again for

. In 2012, Philips worked with French choreographer Mikaël 'Marso' Rivière on a hybrid dance-concerto for violist Maximillian Baillie and the Aurora Orchestra, which premiered at the 2012 Deal Festival. His has been featured on BBC radio. In 2018 Philips is working on a new viola concerto for violist Virginia Slater, a large-scale choral work with a text by Stephen Plaice commissioned by InterOpera, and a new oboe quintet for the

Operas

*'' The Tale of Januarie'' (2016–17), full-length Opera after

Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer (; – 25 October 1400) was an English poet, author, and civil servant best known for ''The Canterbury Tales''. He has been called the "father of English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry". He wa ...

, with a libretto by Stephen Plaice, commissioned by the

. Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes. *''How the Whale Became'' (2013), family chamber opera after

Ted Hughes Edward James "Ted" Hughes (17 August 1930 – 28 October 1998) was an English poet, translator, and children's writer. Critics frequently rank him as one of the best poets of his generation and one of the twentieth century's greatest wri ...

for five singers and five players, with a libretto by Edward Kemp, commissioned by the

, Covent Garden. Duration: 80 minutes. *''Good Intentions'' (2012), children's opera with a libretto by Simon Christmas, commissioned by

W11 Opera W11 Opera is an independent opera company in London which produces operas performed by young people aged 9 to 18. Founded in 1971, it takes its name from its location in W11, a postal district in West London consisting largely of Notting Hill and p ...

. Duration: 80 minutes. *''Save the Diva'' (2011), street opera scene for soprano, trombone and accordion, with a libretto by Simon Christmas, commissioned by The Opera Group. Duration: 15 minutes. *'' Knight Crew'' (2010), full-length youth opera, with a libretto by Nicky Singer, commissioned by

Glyndebourne Festival Opera Glyndebourne Festival Opera is an annual opera festival held at Glyndebourne, an English country house near Lewes, in East Sussex, England. History Under the supervision of the Christie family, the festival has been held annually since 1934, e ...

. Duration: 2 hours. *'' The Yellow Sofa'' (2009), chamber opera based on the novella '' Alves & Co.'' by Eça de Queiros, with a libretto by Edward Kemp, commissioned by

. Duration: 80 minutes. *'' Varjak Paw'' (2008), family chamber opera, after the novels by SF Said, with a libretto by

Kit Hesketh-Harvey Kit may refer to: Places * Kitt, Indiana, US, formerly Kit * Kit, Iran, a village in Mazandaran Province * Kit Hill, Cornwall, England People * Kit (given name), a list of people and fictional characters * Kit (surname) Animals * Young animals ...

, commissioned by The Opera Group. Duration: 1 hour, 50 minutes. *''Followers'' (2006–11), site-specific promenade opera with a libretto by Simon Christmas, commissioned by

. Duration: 1 hour. *''Of Water and Tears'' (2007), opera fantasy for chorus & small orchestra, based on ''O Waly, Waly'', devised for Glyndebourne's Jerwood Chorus Development scheme with director Claire Whistler. Duration: 15 minutes. *''Wild Cat'' (2006), children's opera with a libretto by

Berlie Doherty Berlie Doherty (born 6 November 1943) is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal. She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre an ...

, commissioned by

Welsh National Opera Welsh National Opera (WNO) ( cy, Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru) is an opera company based in Cardiff, Wales; it gave its first performances in 1946. It began as a mainly amateur body and transformed into an all-professional ensemble by 1973. In its ...

. Duration: 30 minutes. *''Dolffin'' (2005), children's opera with a libretto by

Gwyneth Lewis Gwyneth Denver Davies (born 1959), known professionally as Gwyneth Lewis, is a Welsh poet, who was the inaugural National Poet of Wales in 2005. She wrote the text that appears over the Wales Millennium Centre. Biography Gwyneth Lewis was b ...

, commissioned by

. Duration: 30 minutes.

Dance

*''Maxamorphosis'' (2012), hybrid dance-concerto for viola, dancers and chamber orchestra. Created with choreographer Mikael Marso Riviére for violist Max Baillie and the Aurora Orchestra. *''The Snow Queen'' (2005), full-length ballet based on Prokofiev's ''Tale of the Stone Flower'' commissioned by

for choreographer

. *''

'' (2003), full-length ballet after the

Choderlos de Laclos Pierre Ambroise François Choderlos de Laclos (; 18 October 1741 – 5 September 1803) was a French novelist, official, Freemason and army general, best known for writing the epistolary novel ''Les Liaisons dangereuses'' (''Dangerous Liaisons'' ...

novel, devised with choreographer

, commissioned by

Orchestral works

*''Ballades Concertantes'' (2017) for solo viola, double bass & chamber orchestra, commissioned by the

. Duration: 25 minutes. *''All that remains'' (2014) for large orchestra, commissioned by the National Orchestra of Belgium marking the centenary of the opening of the First World War. Duration: 13 minutes. *''Come forth to play'' (2013) for brass, percussion and organ, commissioned by the

to mark the opening of Milton Court. Duration: 6 minutes. *''Maxamorphosis'' (2012), hybrid dance-concerto for viola, dancers and chamber orchestra. Created with choreographer Mikael Marso Riviére for violist Max Baillie and the Aurora Orchestra. Duration: 27 minutes. *''Divertissement'' (2004), suite for chamber orchestra, drawn from the ballet ''Les Liaisons Dangereuses''. Duration: 25 minutes. *''Out of Light'' (2001), poem for large orchestra, commissioned for the

BBC National Orchestra of Wales The BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) ( cy, Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC) is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional radio orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisatio ...

, for

in 2001. Duration: 21 minutes. *''Strange Seas'' (1998), poem for orchestra, commissioned by the Britten Sinfonia. Duration: 16 minutes.

Voice and orchestra

*''Masque for Caliban'' (2006), on poems by Edward Kamau Brathwaite, for baritone and orchestra, commissioned by the

for the

. Duration: 22 minutes.

Chorus and orchestra

*''So gently darkness falls'' (2014) to a poem by

John Masefield John Edward Masefield (; 1 June 1878 – 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate from 1930 until 1967. Among his best known works are the children's novels ''The Midnight Folk'' and ...

, for solo treble, choir and small orchestra, commissioned by Warwick School. Duration: 11 minutes. *''Sea and Stars'' (2012) to a text by Simon Christmas, for solo soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra, commissioned by Ealing Choral Society. Duration: 33 minutes. *''Body of Water'' (2012) to a text by Simon Christmas, for solo tenor, choir, organ and brass quintet, commissioned by the John Armitage Memorial. Duration: 15 minutes.

Songs for voice and piano

*''Love Songs for Mary Joyce'' (2016) to poems by

John Clare John Clare (13 July 1793 – 20 May 1864) was an English poet. The son of a farm labourer, he became known for his celebrations of the English countryside and sorrows at its disruption. His work underwent major re-evaluation in the late 20th ce ...

, for tenor & piano, commissioned by the

for James Gilchrist and Anna Tillbrook. Duration: 20 minutes. *''Love Songs of Amy Lowell'' (2011) to poems by

Amy Lowell Amy Lawrence Lowell (February 9, 1874 – May 12, 1925) was an American poet of the imagist school, which promoted a return to classical values. She posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1926. Life Amy Lowell was born on Febru ...

, for soprano & piano, commissioned by the

Presteigne Festival The Presteigne Festival is a classical music festival which takes place at the end of August each year in the town of Presteigne situated in the Welsh Marches. The Festival promotes a wide variety of concerts together with many music-related activit ...

. Duration: 16 minutes. *''Blist's Hill'' (2009) to a poem by Simon Christmas, for baritone & piano, commissioned by

NMC Recordings NMC Recordings is a British recording label and a charity which specialises in recording works by living composers from the British Isles. History The composer Colin Matthews founded NMC in 1989, with financial assistance from the Holst Found ...

, for the NMC Songbook. Duration: 3 minutes. *''An American Songbook'' (2004) to poems by

Langston Hughes James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, Hug ...

, for mezzo-soprano & piano, commissioned by the Ludlow English Song Weekend. Duration: 18 minutes. *''There is a morn by men unseen'' (2003) to a poem by

Emily Dickinson Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886) was an American poet. Little-known during her life, she has since been regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massach ...

, for baritone & piano, commissioned by the

. Duration: 3.5 minutes. *''Life Lessens'' (2002) with text by Simon Christmas, for mezzo-soprano & piano, commissioned by Sue & Nicholas Nightingale. Duration: 25 minutes. *''Four Sonnets of John Clare'' (2002, rev. 2015) to poems by

, for baritone & piano, commissioned by the

. Duration: 10 minutes. *''Swift Partitions'' (1998) to poems by

, for baritone & piano, commissioned by Jeremy Huw Williams. Duration: 14 minutes. *''An Amherst Bestiary'' (1997) a songbook to poems by

, for voice & piano. Duration: 2–25 minutes. *''Der Jungling und der Tod'' (1997) to a poem by

Josef von Spaun Joseph Freiherr von Spaun (November 11, 1788November 25, 1865) was an Austrian nobleman, an Imperial and Royal Councillor, lottery director, and honorary citizen of Vienna and Cieszyn. He is best known for his friendship with the composer Franz S ...

, for tenor & piano, commissioned by BBC Radio Three. Duration: 6 minutes. *''Eclogue'' (1996) to a poem by A E Housman, for baritone & piano, commissioned by Bromsgrove Concerts. Duration: 10 minutes. *''Fern Hill'' (1996) to the poem by

Dylan Thomas Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...

, for baritone & piano, commissioned by Jeremy Huw Williams. Duration: 15 minutes. *''Dread of Starry Majesties'' (1995) to poems by

Ivor Gurney Ivor Bertie Gurney (28 August 1890 – 26 December 1937) was an English poet and composer, particularly of songs. He was born and raised in Gloucester. He suffered from bipolar disorder through much of his life and spent his last 15 years in ps ...

, commissioned by the Lichfield Festival. Duration: 20 minutes. *''now i lay me down to dream of spring'' (1991) to poems by e e cummings, for tenor & piano. Duration: 25 minutes.

Works for voice and instruments

*''Cantos de Sonho'' (2013) to poems by Alexander Search (

Fernando Pessoa Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa (; 13 June 1888 – 30 November 1935) was a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher, and philosopher, described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century and ...

) for soprano, tenor & piano trio, commissioned by the Ludlow English Song Weekend. Duration: 35 minutes. *''Sweet Love Remembered'' (2005) to poems by

, Amy Levy,

Byron George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824), known simply as Lord Byron, was an English romantic poet and peer. He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, and has been regarded as among the ...

May Swenson Anna Thilda May "May" Swenson (May 28, 1913 – December 4, 1989) was an American poet and playwright. Harold Bloom considered her one of the most important and original poets of the 20th century. The first child of Margaret and Dan Arthur Sw ...

James Merrill James Ingram Merrill (March 3, 1926 – February 6, 1995) was an American poet. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1977 for ''Divine Comedies.'' His poetry falls into two distinct bodies of work: the polished and formalist lyri ...

and

Muriel Rukeyser Muriel Rukeyser (December 15, 1913 – February 12, 1980) was an American poet and political activist, best known for her poems about equality, feminism, social justice, and Judaism. Kenneth Rexroth said that she was the greatest poet of her "e ...

, for baritone & string quartet. Commissioned by Sir Nicholas Goodison and the

for baritone

and the Vertavo Quartet. Duration: 25 minutes. *''Swift Partitions'' (2003) to poems by

, for baritone & chamber ensemble. Duration: 14 minutes. *''Love is more thicker than forget'' (1997) to a poem by e e cummings, for soprano, trumpet & organ. Duration: 3 minutes. *''Coronach'' (1995) to a poem by Oliver Fraser, for mezzo-soprano & viola, commissioned by

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...

. Duration: 9 minutes.

Chamber music

*''Winter Music'' (2016) for solo harp, commissioned by the Tanza Trust for harpist Oliver Wass. Duration: 10 minutes. *''Ricochets Between'' (2010) for clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola and piano, commissioned by the Britten Sinfonia and the

for

. Duration: 12 minutes. *''Four Characters'' (2003) for viola and piano, commissioned by

for violist Laurence Power. Duration: 12 minutes. *''Sextet'' (1999) for piano and wind quintet, commissioned by the 1999 Warwick & Leamington Festival. Duration: 16 minutes.

Unaccompanied voices

*''I Sing of a Maiden'' (2012) a setting of the medieval lyric, for unaccompanied choir, commissioned for the Choir of

Truro Cathedral The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Truro, Cornwall. It was built between 1880 and 1910 to a Gothic Revival design by John Loughborough Pearson on the site of the parish church of St Mary. It i ...

. Duration: 3 minutes. *''Sorrowfull Songes'' (2012) to poems by Thomas Wyatt, for vocal ensemble, commissioned for

2012, broadcast live on

. Duration: 15 minutes. *''Invocazione'' (2004) to a poem by

Joseph Addison Joseph Addison (1 May 1672 – 17 June 1719) was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. He was the eldest son of The Reverend Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard S ...

, for vocal ensemble, commissioned by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland. Duration: 11 minutes *''Reach for Andromeda'' (1995) to a poem by Olive Fraser, for vocal ensemble, commissioned by the Finzi Singers. Duration: 6 minutes.

Choir and organ

*''The Promised Child'' (2018) to a text by Stephen Plaice, commissioned by InterOpera. Duration: 5.5 minutes. *''Church Music'' (2011) to a poem by

George Herbert George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633) was an English poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England. His poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognised as "one of the foremost British devoti ...

, commissioned for the ''Choirbook for the Queen''. Duration: 6 minutes. *''Song's Eternity'' (2002) to a poem by

, commissioned by the Musicians' Benevolent Fund for the combined choirs of

Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United ...

Westminster Cathedral Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. It is the largest Catholic church in the UK and the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster. The site on which the cathedral stands in the City of ...

and

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in London and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grad ...

. Duration: 7 minutes. *''Vertue'' (1988) to a poem by

, commissioned for the choir of

Clare College Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The college was founded in 1326 as University Hall, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. It was refounded ...

Cambridge. Duration: 7 minutes.

Choir and piano

*''The Promised Child'' (2018) to a text by Stephen Plaice, commissioned by InterOpera. Duration: 5.5 minutes.

Works for children's voices

*''Fern Hill'' (2014) to the poem by

, for children's choir, flute, viola and harp, commissioned by

and broadcast live on

. Duration: 18 minutes. *''Two Carols and a curse'' (1999) on medieval lyrics, for children's choir and string orchestra, commissioned by the

New London Children's Choir The New London Children's Choir was a children's choir which rehearsed at Highgate Primary School in North London and, latterly, All Hallows, Gospel Oak, giving singing opportunities to members aged seven to eighteen. Members were from London and ...

. Duration: 8 minutes.

Works in progress

*''The Massacre of the Innocents'' (2020) with a text by Stephen Plaice, for soloists, chorus and ensemble, commissioned by InterOpera. Duration: tbc.

References

External links

Julian Philips
Edition Peters
Julian Phillps
Edition Peters, composer brochure *
Professor Julian Philips
Guildhall School of Music & Drama * {{DEFAULTSORT:Philips, Julian 1969 births Living people Welsh classical composers Welsh male classical composers 20th-century classical composers 20th-century English composers 20th-century Welsh musicians 21st-century classical composers 21st-century English composers 21st-century Welsh musicians English classical composers English male classical composers English opera composers Welsh opera composers Male opera composers Musicians from Cardiff 20th-century British male musicians 20th-century British musicians 21st-century British male musicians