Roger Quilter

Full biography Roger Quilter

Roger Cuthbert Quilter was a British composer known primarily for his elegant songs. He was born on November 1, 1877, and died on September 21, 1953. Quilter belonged to the Frankfurt Group, a circle of composers who studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt.

Quilter was born into a wealthy, land-owning household and began his musical education at Eton College. He continued his studies at the Hoch Conservatory and later at the Royal College of Music in London. Quilter's output was predominantly for voice, and he wrote more than 100 art songs throughout his career.

Quilter's musical style was influenced by the Romantic tradition, with a focus on melodic lyricism and harmonic richness. His compositions are known for their elegance, refinement, and subtle expressiveness. Quilter often set texts by poets such as Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Housman to music, and his songs remain popular with singers and audiences to this day.

Despite his reputation as a composer of art songs, Quilter also wrote orchestral and chamber music, including works for the piano, violin, and cello. He was also a skilled arranger, producing several collections of folk song arrangements and music for the theatre.

In summary, Roger Quilter was a British composer who specialized in art songs, with an emphasis on melodic lyricism and harmonic richness. His elegant and refined compositions continue to be popular with singers and audiences alike.