Thomas Wilson (composer)
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Thomas Wilson
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". This soci ...
(10 October 1927 – 12 June 2001) was an American-born Scottish
composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...
of
classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...
.


Early life and education

Thomas Brendan Wilson was born in
Trinidad, Colorado Trinidad is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Las Animas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 8,329 as of the 2020 census. Trinidad lies north of Raton, New Mexico, and s ...
to British parents and moved to Britain with his family when he was 17 months old. The family settled in the
Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
,
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
area where he lived and worked for the remainder of his life. Wilson was educated in Glasgow before taking an undergraduate course at St. Mary's College, Aberdeen. He then studied Music at the
University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...
, where he continued as a postgraduate, receiving a doctorate (DMus). He served in the
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
from 1945 to 1948.


Career

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 Council The Scottish Arts Council ( gd, Comhairle Ealain na h-Alba, sco, Scots Airts Cooncil) was a Scottish public body responsible for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland. The Council primarily distributed funding from the ...
, The New Music Group of Scotland, The
Society for the Promotion of New Music The Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM), originally named The Committee for the Promotion of New Music, was founded in January 1943 in London by the émigré composer Francis Chagrin, to promote the creation and performance of new music in ...
, 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 The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) ( gd, Orcastra Nàiseanta Rìoghail na h-Alba) is a British orchestra, based in Glasgow, Scotland. It is one of the five National performing arts companies of Scotland, national performing arts compa ...
under
Bryden Thomson Bryden Thomson (16 July 1928 – 14 November 1991) was a Scottish conductor remembered especially for his championship of British and Scandinavian composers. His recordings include influential surveys of the orchestral music of Hamilton Harty a ...
on 6 August 1988 in
Paisley Abbey Paisley Abbey is a parish church of the Church of Scotland on the east bank of the White Cart Water in the centre of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, about west of Glasgow, in Scotland. Its origins date from the 12th century, based on a for ...
. 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 is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies of Scotland. Founded in 1962 and based in Glasgow, it is the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland. History Scottish Op ...
and based on the novel by
James Hogg James Hogg (1770 – 21 November 1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many ...
. Wilson was awarded the
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
in 1990. The following year he was awarded an honorary DMus Degree from
Glasgow University , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...
and created a Fellow of the
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland ( gd, Conservatoire Rìoghail na h-Alba), formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama ( gd, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Ciùil is Dràma na h-Alba) is a conservatoire of dance, drama, music, production, and ...
. He was also elected a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity that operates on a wholly independent and non-partisan basis and provides public benefit throughout Scotland. It was established i ...
. The 80th anniversary of 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.


Death

Wilson died on 12 June 2001.


Works


Orchestral works

* Symphony No. 1 (1955) (withdrawn) * Toccata for orchestra (1959) * Variations for orchestra (1960) * ''Pas De Quoi'' (1964) Six little dances for strings. * Symphony No. 2 (1965) * Concerto for orchestra (1967) * ''Touchstone'' (1967) Commissioned by the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
for the Sir Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. * ''Threnody'' (1970) music was taken from Wilson's opera "The Charcoal Burner". * ''Ritornelli Per Archi'' (1972) Commissioned for the
Edinburgh Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fe ...
by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble. * Symphony No. 3 (1979) Commissioned by Musica Nova. * ''Mosaics'' (1981) Commissioned for Cantilena by Radio Clyde. * ''Introit'' (1982) Commissioned by BBC. * Piano Concerto (1985) Commissioned by
Bryden Thomson Bryden Thomson (16 July 1928 – 14 November 1991) was a Scottish conductor remembered especially for his championship of British and Scandinavian composers. His recordings include influential surveys of the orchestral music of Hamilton Harty a ...
for David Wilde and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. * ''St Kentigern Suite'' (1986) Commissioned by The Friends of Glasgow Cathedral. * Viola Concerto (1987) Commissioned by James Durrant with assistance from the BBCSSO Trust. * Symphony No. 4, ''Passeleth Tapestry'' (1988; numbered as a symphony 1996) Commissioned by Renfrew District Council together with Strathclyde Regional Council to mark Paisley's 500th anniversary as a Burgh of Barony. * ''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. * Violin Concerto (1993) Commissioned by the
National Youth Orchestra of Scotland The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) caters for students aged between 8 and 25, through orchestras, jazz bands, training ensembles and outreach programmes. In addition to organising residential training courses, rehearsals and nati ...
and BP for Ernst Kovacic. * Guitar Concerto (1996) Commissioned by Phillip Thorne. * Symphony No. 5 (1998) Commissioned by the
Scottish Chamber Orchestra The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is an Edinburgh-based UK chamber orchestra. One of Scotland's five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and S ...
.


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 Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fe ...
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 Organists The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and de ...
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 with eight characters, to a libretto by Edwin Morgan (1968), commissioned by the BBC *''The Confessions of a Justified Sinner'' (1975), opera in three acts with three main characters plus chorus to a libretto by John Currie (based on the novel ''The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner'' by
James Hogg James Hogg (1770 – 21 November 1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many ...
), commissioned by
Scottish Opera Scottish Opera is the national opera company of Scotland, and one of the five national performing arts companies of Scotland. Founded in 1962 and based in Glasgow, it is the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland. History Scottish Op ...


Ballet

*''Embers of Glencoe'' (1973), commissioned by
Scottish Ballet Scottish Ballet is the national ballet company of Scotland and one of the five leading ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet. Founded in 1969, ...


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 setting of
Psalm 137 Psalm 137 is the 137th psalm of the Book of Psalms in the Tanakh. In English it is generally known as "By the rivers of Babylon", which is how its first words are translated in the King James Version of the Bible. Its Latin title is "Super flum ...
*''Three Orkney Songs'' for soprano/baritone and quintet (1961), commissioned by the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
. *''Six Scots Songs'' for voice and piano (1962), commissioned by the Baccholian Singers for the
City of London Festival The City of London Festival was an annual arts festival that took place in the City of London, England, over two to three weeks in June and July. The Festival was strongly geared towards classical music, but also offered a programme that included ...
*''Carmina Sacra'' (1964), orchestral or voice and keyboard. *''My Soul Longs for Thee'', SSA and organ (1967) *''Night Songs'' (1967), a capella, commissioned by the John Currie Singers *''One Foot in Eden'', orchestral or voice and piano (1977), commissioned by Josephine Nendick *''The Willow Branches – Seven Songs from the Chinese'', orchestral or voice and piano (1983), commissioned by Marilyn de Blieck


Carols

*''A Babe is Born'' (1967) *''There Is No Rose'' (1974)


Chamber works

* String Quartet No. 2 (1954) * String Quartet No. 3 (1958), McEwen Composition Prize * Violin Sonata (1961), commissioned by the
University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...
* Sonatina for clarinet and piano (1962) * ''Concerto Da Camera'' (1965), commissioned by Bernicia Ensemble * ''Pas De Quoi'', Six little dances for strings (1965) * Piano Trio (1966), commissioned by the Scottish Trio * ''Sinfonia for Seven Instruments'' (1968), commissioned by the
University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...
* Cello Sonata (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 Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fe ...
* ''Complementi'' (1973), commissioned by Clarina Ensemble * String Quartet No. 4 (1978), commissioned by the Edinburgh String Quartet * ''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 for piano (1956) * Piano Sonata (1964) * ''Three Pieces - Reverie, Tzigane, Valse Viennoise'' (1964) For Piano. Later arranged for two guitars. * Fantasia for cello (1964) * ''Soliloquy'' (1969) For Guitar. Commissioned by Glasgow Master Concerts for
Julian Bream Julian Alexander Bream (15 July 193314 August 2020) was an English classical guitarist and lutenist. Regarded as one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of the 20th century, he played a significant role in improving the public per ...
. * Three Pieces for guitar (1971) * ''Coplas Del Ruisenor'' for guitar (1972), commissioned by Angelo Gilardino. * ''Cancion'' for guitar (1982) * ''Incunabula'' for piano (1983) * ''Dream Music'' for guitar (1983), commissioned by Phillip Thorne. * ''Toccata Festevole'' for organ (1991), commissioned by the Paisley International Organ Festival * ''Chanson De Geste'' for solo horn (1991), commissioned by Redcliffe Concerts


Other

*''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 ''Sunset Song'' is a 1932 novel by Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It is considered one of the most important Scottish novels of the 20th century. It is the first part of the trilogy ''A Scots Quair''. There have been several adaptations, ...
'' (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

*''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 *''Carillon'' (1990) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (cond. Rory Macdonald); Linn Records CKD 616 *''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 DCD34079 *''Piano Sonatina'' (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322 *''Piano Trio'' (2009) Delphian DCD34079 *''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 DCD34079 *''Sinfonietta for Brass Band'' (1997) National Youth Brass Band of Scotland; Amadeus AMSCD027 *''Symphony No. 2'' (2019) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (cond. Rory Macdonald); Linn Records CKD 643 *''Symphony No. 3'' (2018) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (cond. Rory Macdonald); Linn Records CKD 616 *''Symphony No. 4, Passeleth Tapestry'' (2018) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (cond. Rory Macdonald); Linn Records CKD 616 *''Symphony No. 5'' (2019) Royal Scottish National Orchestra (cond. Rory Macdonald); Linn Records CKD 643 *''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 DCD34079 *''Three Pieces for Piano'' (2001) Johannes Wolff; Hastedt Verlag & Musikedition HT5322 *''Violin Concerto'' (1993) National Youth Orchestra of Scotland; NYOS Records NYOS001


References


Further reading

* Rayment, Malcolm, "The Music of Thomas Wilson", in Lindsay, Maurice (ed.), ''The Scottish Review: Arts and Environment'' 33, February 1984, pp. 30 – 35,


External links


''Guardian'' obituary by John Maxwell GeddesThe Thomas Wilson Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Thomas 1927 births 2001 deaths 20th-century classical composers 20th-century British composers 20th-century British male musicians 20th-century Scottish musicians American emigrants to the United Kingdom British male classical composers Scottish classical composers Scottish opera composers Brass band composers Male opera composers Academics of the University of Glasgow Alumni of the University of Glasgow Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh People from Trinidad, Colorado