Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

Full biography Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji was an eccentric English composer, pianist, and writer on music of mixed Parsi and British descent. Born on August 14, 1892, he is known for his complex and massive compositions, which often push the limits of performers and audiences alike. Sorabji spent much of his life as a recluse, and his music was little known until relatively recently.

Over a period of seventy years, Sorabji wrote over one hundred works, many of which were for piano solo. He also wrote several symphonies, including the Jami Symphony and the St. Bertrand de Comminges Symphony. Despite his prodigious output, Sorabji was often critical of other composers, especially those who he felt were not pushing the boundaries of classical music.

In addition to his work as a composer, Sorabji was also a music critic and a writer. He wrote for publications such as The New Age and The New English Weekly , and his essays were known for their wit and biting criticism. Sorabji was also a pianist, and he often performed his own works in public, although he was known to be a somewhat erratic performer.

Sorabji's music is known for its complexity, often featuring polyrhythms, highly chromatic harmonies, and very intricate counterpoint. Some of his works are also extremely long, with his Opus clavicembalisticum being one of the longest solo piano works ever written. Nevertheless, Sorabji's music has been gaining in popularity in recent years, and many of his works have now been recorded and performed by musicians around the world.