Short bio Phyllis Tate
Full biography Phyllis Tate
Phyllis Tate was an English composer born in 1911 and passed away in 1987. She received her musical education at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied composition under John Ireland and piano under York Bowen. She then continued her studies with Gordon Jacob and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Tate had a prolific career as a composer and wrote music for various genres, including orchestral and chamber music, choral works, operas, and ballets. She is best known for her vocal works, particularly her songs, which demonstrate her skill in setting English texts. Tate drew on diverse musical influences and incorporated elements of folk tunes, jazz, and serialism into her compositions.
During her lifetime, Tate received several commissions and awards, including the Order of the British Empire in 1979 for her contributions to music. She was also a member of the Composers’ Guild of Great Britain, serving as its chairman from 1961 to 1963.
Tate's music is known for its sensitivity, humor, and emotional depth. Her works are often marked by a lyrical quality, with elegant melodies and harmonic richness. Her distinctive musical voice has been described as "refined and delicate, yet powerful and original."
In summary, Phyllis Tate was a versatile and accomplished composer who contributed significantly to the English musical scene of the mid-20th century. Her legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Compositions featuring Phyllis Tate
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pieces (3) for solo clarinet | 6:45 min | Chamber Music | 1979 |
| 2 | The Lodger, opera in 2 acts | 118:28 min | Opera | 1960 |
| 3 | Air & Variations for violin, clarinet & piano | 16:27 min | Chamber Music | 1958 |
| 4 | London Fields, suite for orchestra | 13:18 min | Orchestral | 1958 |
| 5 | Epitaph, for voice & piano | 2:41 min | Vocal Music | 1948 |
| 6 | Sonata for clarinet & cello | 20:28 min | Chamber Music | 1947 |
| 7 | Concerto for alto saxophone & strings | 23:06 min | Concerto | 1944 |
| 8 | Carol with Lullaby | 3:25 min | Choral | - |
| 9 | String quartet in F major | Chamber Music | - | |
| 10 | The Lark in the Clear Air | 2:05 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 11 | The Lark in the Clear Air | 2:28 min | Orchestral | - |
| 12 | Triptych, for violin & piano | 16:39 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Phyllis Tate
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
The Lodger - Opera In Two Acts(2×CD, Album, Remastered, Mono) | 2015 | Lyrita Recorded Edition |
| 2 |  |
Smyth, Maconchy, Poldowski, Tate, Barns, Clare Howick, Sophia Rahman – British Women Composers(CD, Album) | 2010 | Naxos |
| 3 |  |
Phyllis Tate / Richard Rodney Bennett / Arnold Cooke / Roger North (2) / Igor Stravinsky – Contemporary Clarinet Volume 1(LP) | 1978 | Chantry Records |
| 4 |  |
Alun Hoddinott, Phyllis Tate, Margaret Price, Gerald English – Roman Dream | 1972 | Argo (2) |
| 5 |  |
John McCabe (2), Phyllis Tate, Don Banks, Derek Bourgeois – Farnham Festival 1969(LP, Stereo) | 1969 | Erase (2) |
| 6 |  |
Phyllis Tate, Don Banks, Richard Rodney Bennett, Iain Hamilton, Barry Tuckwell, Gervase de Peyer, Brenton Langbein, Maureen Jones, William Bennett (3), William Pleeth, Margaret Kitchin, Peter Graeme – Instrumental Music | 1966 | Argo (2) |
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