Anthony Gilbert

Full biography Anthony Gilbert

Anthony Gilbert (1934-2023) was a British composer and academic, who was known for his idiosyncratic body of work and for being a champion of new music in Britain. Gilbert's approach to composition was deeply personal, and he believed that it was important to write straight from the heart and guts ). He was not interested in competing with other composers, but rather in creating works that were true to his own vision.

Gilbert's career spanned several decades, and he taught composition for 28 years at the Royal Northern College of Music , where he mentored future composers such as Sally Beamish, Martin Butler, and Simon Holt. He also held positions at universities and music institutions in the United States and Belgium.

Gilbert's compositions were highly varied and often experimental in nature. He wrote works for orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, as well as electronic and multimedia works. His music was often characterized by its complexity, virtuosity, and inventive use of sound.

Among Gilbert's most notable works are his opera "The Ringing Forest" (1983), his piano concerto "Tramps and Angels" (1996), and his chamber work "Mandala 2" (1997). He also wrote extensively about music, with articles and essays on topics ranging from composition technique to the philosophy of music.

Gilbert passed away on July 5 , 2023, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as a maverick composer and a dedicated teacher of music.