Profiles
Peter Seabourne - composer based in Lincolnshire. b 1960.
Studied Clare College, Cambridge (Robin Holloway) and York (DPhil - composition/David Blake).
Early exposure whilst a student included Camden, Cambridge, York Spring Festivals etc; South Bank; Turner Sims Hall etc. - Endymion, Circle, Vega Wind Quintet, Delta Sax Quartet, Andrew Sparling, Tapestry, Mistry Quartet etc.; and two national awards (RVW and Britten competitions).
However, he subsequently abandoned writing (around 1988/9) due to disatisfaction with his work, and a lack of empathy with 'received trends', only resuming in 2001.
He has been awarded since in Finland (Piano Concerto no.1 - 3rd prize and orchestra prize - Uuno Klami Competition 2004); Bulgaria (chamber work: 3rd prize - Ivan Spassov Competition 2004); Ireland (song cycle - Highly Commended - IMRO Competition 2005); Ireland (oboe/piano work - 1st prize IMRO Competition 2006). His septet "My River" was selected in anonymous international submission and played in New York 2006.
Other works have been performed in Finland (Lahti Symphony Orchetsra Ensemble), Chicago (Palomar Ensemble), Budapest (Vagi/Sayaka), Rio de Janiero (Hoefs/Braga), Modigliana (Modugno, Bologni/Modugno, Giuffredi/Modugno), London (EMFEB Ensemble), Reutlingen (Konstantin Lifschitz), London (Tunnah/Tavdidishvili) etc..
He is a composer-in-residence with the EMFEB project.
Commissions have been awarded by the Rio 'Cello Festival, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, Vestfold Festival (Norway) for Henning Kraggerud, and Paul Klee Centre, Bern, Switzerland.
Recent work has taken him away from modernism, much of which he loathes (along with its associated 'industry' - the conveyor belt of "youth, gimmicks and premières"...). He retains a certain eclecticism, even neo-romanticism, with fluid rhythms, lyricism and often overt emotional gestures.
His catalogue includes two piano concerti, orchestral pieces, much chamber music, four song cycles and an expanding and ongoing piano series now into four volumes, including its widely praised second one "Studies of Invention".
A full biography, some audio and printable pdf scores for evaluation can be found on his website - www.peterseabourne.com
The composer's direct contact email is pseabourne@btinternet.com . He welcomes communication, especially as he now begins his 50th birthday year (Oct 2010-Sept 2011.
A few kind words....
"I find your grip of composition and use of instrumental colours really excellent. Your music is so full of interest and energy as well as being obviously quite emotional, almost romantic in part, neither incomprehensibly complex and dense, nor childishly minimalist."
[Sir Charles Mackerras]
"I have listened to the whole "Steps 2: Studies of Invention" with great pleasure. Your musical language is very much your own, clear and strong, never sentimental, yet with great inventiveness for rhythms and harmony, and always very pianistic. And there is a deep thoughtfulness about it, that makes one sit and dwell further when the piece is finished...."
[Mario Ramon Garcia - Denmark - pianist]
"It is beautifully crafted, structurally clear music of great energy and communication".
[Bruce Polay, Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra]