Robin Orr

Robin Orr (actually: Robert Kelmsley Orr, born June 2, 1909 in Brechin, Angus, † April 9, 2006 in Cambridge ) was a Scottish composer.

Orr studied at the Royal College of Music in London and at Pembroke College, Cambridge and was a student of Alfredo Casella and Nadia Boulanger. After having been employed at the Sidcot School in Somerset and the University of Leeds he became in 1938 organist at St John's College, Cambridge. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Air Force. From 1947 to 1956 he taught at the University of Cambridge and the Royal College of Music. Until 1965 he was Professor of Music at the University of Glasgow, after which he was until his retirement in 1976 Professor at the University of Cambridge.

He composed three operas, three symphonies and other orchestral works, chamber music, church music and songs. He was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1972. His manuscripts and his private archive to be stored in the Cambridge University Library.

Works

  • Sonatina for Cello, 1938
  • Sonatina for Violin, 1941
  • A Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, incidental music, 1947
  • Violin Sonata, 1947
  • The Prospect Of Whitby, Overture, 1948
  • Deirdre of the Sorrows by John Millington Synge, incidental music, 1951
  • Italian Overture, 1952/1960
  • Duo for Violin and Cello, 1953
  • Rhapsody For String Orchestra, 1956
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1956
  • Violin Sonata, 1960
  • Symphony in One Movement, 1963
  • Full Circle, opera, 1968
  • From the Book of Philip Sparrow for vocals and strings, 1969
  • Symphony No. 2, 1970
  • Journeys & Places for vocals and strings, 1971
  • Hermiston, opera, 1975
  • Songs of Zion, 1978
  • Symphony No. 3, 1978
  • On the Razzle, opera, 1988
  • Sinfonietta Helvetica, 1990

Writings

  • Musical Chairs. Publ Thames, London 1998, ISBN 0-903413-64-7 ( autobiography).
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