Profiles

   I am a committed and enthusiastic composer writing orchestral, chamber, solo instrumental, vocal, electro-acoustic music and opera. My compositional style is direct and honest, with a strong sense of rhythmic drive and development, balancing passages of abrasion with moments of solace, beauty and wit. Humanitarianism, war, violence, the human condition and the supernatural are themes which pervade my compositions.

   I am influenced by most music, primarily 20th Century Eastern European composers such as Stravinsky, Lutoslawski and Shostakovitch. Other influences include medieval music, Varese, Ives, Carter, rock and world music.

   At A Later Date for flute and percussion, was selected by the reading panel of the Society For The Promotion of New Musicto be performed and recorded at the November 1988 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

   The Release, a chamber opera for solo soprano and ensemble was performed in May 1992 at The Clothworkers' Hall, University of Leeds, with Vivienne Bailey of Opera North. 

   Bellblock for six steel pans was written in response for a call for pieces by the SPNM, and was given a workshop and performance at the 1995 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

   String Quartet No.3 has had several workshop/performances, including by the Allegri String Quartet at The University of Leeds in 2000, by members of The London Mozart Players in Louth in 2003, and the University of Coventry in 2006.

   The Slide Show for solo trombone was also written in response to a call for pieces by the SPNM, and was given a workshop and performance at the SPNM event at the 2005 Aldeburgh Festival.

TO BUY MARTIN'S COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS VISIT: Score Exchange.com/Martin Watson