Edward Gregson

Edward Gregson (born 1945) is a composer of international standing, whose music has been performed, broadcast, and commercially recorded worldwide. He studied composition (with Alan Bush) and piano at the Royal Academy of Music from 1963 to 1967, winning five prizes for composition. Since then he has worked solely to commission and has written orchestral, chamber, instrumental and choral works as well as music for the theatre, film and television. His commissions have included orchestral works for the English Chamber Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic (Clarinet Concerto) and Hallé (Violin Concerto), which have been performed by many other orchestras and ensembles around the world. His most recent commission A Song for Chris, a concerto for cello and chamber orchestra for Manchester Camerata was premiered at the 2007 Royal Northern College of Music International Cello Festival. Edward Gregson is also internationally renowned for his contributions to the wind and brass repertoire. A major retrospective of his music was held in Manchester in 2002, which was complemented by the release of a CD of orchestral works (including the clarinet and violin concertos) on Chandos (CHAN 10105). He has been Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music since 1996 and also serves on a number of important boards relating to music education and the music profession. Edward Gregson holds eight honorary Doctorates and Fellowships from English universities and conservatoires.