Stanley Glasser

Stanley Glasser ( born February 28, 1926 in Johannesburg) is a South African composer and ethnomusicologist.

Life and work

Glasser studied in South Africa, Economics, and then in 1950 to study music at Cambridge and at Mátyás Seiber. From 1953 to 1955 he was employed as a lecturer at Cambridge and then returned to South Africa, where he did field research among the Xhosa and Pedi. After three years as a lecturer at the University of Cape Town in 1963, he returned to England to teach at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he worked as head of the music department since 1969 and was appointed professor in 1989. Since 1991 he is professor emeritus.

His compositions are partly strongly influenced by his scientific study of traditional African music. He also worked as a musical director and arranger of Todd Matshikizas musical King Kong. In 1962, he wrote to Mr. Paljas even a musical. The Square (1961, for orchestra and jazz ensemble), he wrote the first ballet music of South Africa. One of his major works is the cantata Zonkizizwe.

Glasser was interested in all facets of contemporary music and himself wrote in 1959 a stage musical about Emperor Jones, who took advantage of the achievements of electronic music. Also in the research, he opened such possibilities at Goldsmiths. For example, bought his music studio one of the first sample capable Fairlight CMI synthesizer. The local club is now named after him.

He also wrote the book, The A to Z of Classical Music ( London, 1994). The harmonica virtuoso Adam Glasser is his son.

Awards

In 1952 he was awarded the Composition Prize of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Works (selection)

• The Square (1961 )
• The Chameleon and the Lizard (1970 )
• Lalela zulu, for vocal ensemble (1977, text by Lewis Nkosi ).
• Zonkizizwe (1991)
• A Greenwich Symphony (1999)

Disco Graphical Notes

• Lalela Zulu - King 's Singers Street Songs (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1998).