Short bio Lyell Cresswell
Full biography Lyell Cresswell
Lyell Cresswell (13 October 1944 – 19 March 2022) was a New Zealand-born composer who was prolific in creating music for orchestra , chamber ensembles, choir and solo instruments. He was known for his unique style that blended together various elements of contemporary and traditional music.
Cresswell was a prolific composer, creating over 200 works during his lifetime, many of which have been performed and recorded internationally. He drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including the natural world, literature, and poetry. He once said, "When I write music, I am writing my autobiography."
Cresswell's music was performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the London Sinfonietta, BBC Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and many more. He was also commissioned by many prestigious institutions, including the BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Despite his success, Cresswell remained humble and dedicated to his craft, always striving to improve and explore new avenues within music. He once remarked that, "I don't believe a composer ever arrives – you're always learning and developing."
Sadly, Cresswell passed away on March 19, 2022, but his music continues to live on, inspiring new generations of musicians and music-lovers.
Compositions featuring Lyell Cresswell
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capricci, for string quartet | 19:36 min | Chamber Music | 2014 |
| 2 | Concerto for piano & orchestra | 29:36 min | Concerto | 2010 |
| 3 | Alas! How Swift, for trumpet & orchestra | 11:18 min | Orchestral | 2006 |
| 4 | Cassandra's Songs, for voice & orchestra | 13:24 min | Vocal Music | 2003 |
| 5 | The Voice Inside, for voice, violin & orchestra | 24:29 min | Vocal Music | 2001 |
| 6 | Acquerello, for solo piano | 5:23 min | Keyboard | 1998 |
| 7 | Anake, for solo flute | 13:25 min | Chamber Music | 1998 |
| 8 | Kaea, for trombone & orchestra | 20:10 min | Orchestral | 1997 |
| 9 | Whita, for solo violin | 19:45 min | Chamber Music | 1996 |
| 10 | Concerto for orchestra & string quartet | 27:16 min | Concerto | 1996 |
| 11 | Lento, for violin | 3:12 min | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| 12 | Atta, for solo cello | 20:58 min | Chamber Music | 1993 |
| 13 | Passacagli, for ensemble | 17:14 min | Orchestral | 1988 |
| 14 | Variations on a Theme by Charles Ives, for flute & cello | 14:29 min | Chamber Music | 1987 |
| 15 | Organic Music | 10:21 min | Chamber Music | 1979 |
| 16 | Concerto for cello | 27:02 min | Concerto | - |
| 17 | Kotetetete, for string quartet | Chamber Music | - | |
| 18 | A Modern Ecstasy | 44:08 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 19 | O! | 16:49 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 20 | Prayer to appease the Spirit of the Land, for soprano, recorder, harpsichord & violoncello | 2:19 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 21 | Ricercari, for string quartet | 16:18 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 22 | Salm | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - | |
| 23 | Soliloquy on a Lambent Tailpiece for clarinet, violin & double bass | 8:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 24 | Speak for Us, Great Sea | 21:06 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 25 | String Quartet | 21:48 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | The Urim and the Thummim, for organ | 13:03 min | Keyboard | - |
| 27 | A Recipe for Whisky, for voice & temple blocks | 3:28 min | Vocal Music | - |
Albums featuring Lyell Cresswell
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Lyell Cresswell, Red Note Ensemble – Music For String Quartet(CD, Album) | 2018 | Delphian |
| 2 |  |
Lyell Cresswell, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Hamish McKeich – Landscapes of the Soul, Piano Concerto, Concerto For Orchestra and String Quartet(CD, ) | 2014 | Naxos |
| 3 |  |
Lyell Cresswell, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd – The Voice Inside / Alas! How Swift / Cassandra's Song / Kaea(CD, Stereo) | 2009 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Lyell Cresswell, The Hebrides Ensemble – Anake & Other Works(CD, Album) | 2001 | NMC (3) |
| 5 |  |
Beamish, Cresswell, Harper, Johnson, Leighton, Williams – Animal Heaven(CD, Album) | 2000 | Metier |
| 6 |  |
Edward Harper, Lyell Cresswell, Jane Manning, New Music Group Of Scotland – New Music Group Of Scotland Plays Harper And Cresswell(CD, Album) | 1997 | Metier |
| 7 |  |
Orchestral Music-1(CD, Album) | 1991 | Continuum |
| 8 |  |
James MacMillan (2), William Sweeney, Lyell Cresswell / Paragon Ensemble, Gerard Quinn, David Davies (4) – Paragon Premieres (Volume One)(CD, Album) | 1991 | Continuum |
| 9 |  |
Orchestral Music-2(CD, Album) | 1991 | Continuum |
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