Burgon, Geoffrey (Alan)

Burgon, Geoffrey (Alan), English composer; b. Hambledon, July 15, 1941. He was a student of Peter Wishart (composition) and Bernard Brown (trumpet) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. After playing trumpet in various orchs., jazz ensembles, and theater orchs. (1964–71), he devoted himself to composing and to conducting for films and television. His scores for the television series Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) and Brideshead Revisited (1981) established his reputation. He has demonstrated special talent in composing works for vocal forces.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: Hard Times (1991). Music Theater: Epitaph to Sir Walter Raleigh (1968; London, Feb. 8, 1969); Joan of Arc (1970); The Fall of Lucifer (1977); Mirandola (1980–81); Orpheus (Wells, July 17, 1982). Ballet: The Golden Fish (1964); Ophelia (1964); The Calm (1974); Running Figures/Goldberg’s Dream (Leeds, March 25, 1975); Step at a Time (London, Nov. 4, 1976); Persephone (1979); Lamentations and Praises (Jerusalem, Aug. 7, 1979); Mass (1984; London, Sept. 16, 1985); The Trial of Prometheus (1988); film and television scores. orch.: Concerto for Strings (1963; Bath, June 6, 1977); 5 Pieces for Strings (1967); Gendling (London, July 11, 1968); Alleluia Nativitas (London, Feb. 17, 1970); Cantus Alleluia (1973; London, April 10, 1974); May Day Prelude (London, May 1, 1977); Brideshead Variations (London, March 21, 1982; also for Brass or Concert Band); Trumpet Concerto, The Turning World (London, July 15, 1993); Suite from Martin Chuzzlewit (Birming- ham, Nov. 20, 1994); Paradise Dances for Brass Band (London, Nov. 24, 1994); City Adventures for Percussion and Orch. (London, Aug. 26, 1996); Piano Concerto (Singapore, Oct. 24, 1997). chamber:Fanfares and Variants for 2 Trumpets and 2 Trombones (1969); Gloria for 6 Instruments (1973); 3 Nocturnes for Harp (1974); 4 Guitars (1977); 4 Horns (1977); Oboe Quartet (1980); Sanctus Variations for 2 Trumpets and Organ (1980); Chamber Dances (1981–82); Little Missenden Variations for Clarinet, English Horn, Horn, and Bassoon (1984); Fanfare for Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, and Tuba (1985); The Wanderer for Clarinet and String Quartet (1997–98; London, March 18, 1998). vocal:Cantata on Medieval Latin Texts for Countertenor, Flute, Oboe, and Bassoon (1964); Acquainted with Night for Countertenor, Strings, Harp, and Percussion (1965); The Think on Dredful Domeday for Voices and Orch. (1969); Magnificat for Voices and Orch. (1970); The Golden Eternity for Voices and Orch. (1970); This Endris Night for Tenor, Women’s Voices, and Brass (1972); Canciones del Alma for 2 Countertenors and 13 Solo Strings (1975); Requiem for Soprano, Countertenor, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (Hereford, Aug. 26, 1976); Veni Spiritus for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1978–79); Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for 2 Sopranos, Trumpet, Organ, and Strings (1979); Hymn to St. Thomas of Hereford for Chorus and Orch. (1981; Hereford, Aug. 22, 1982); The World Again for Soprano and Orch. (1982–83; London, Oct. 9, 1984); Revelations for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1984; London, April 13, 1985); Title Divine for Soprano and Orch. (1986; London, April 22, 1987); A Vision for Tenor and String Orch. (1991); First Was the World for Countertenor or Mezzo- soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (London, June 8, 1994); Almost Peace, 3 songs for Soprano and Instrumental Ensemble (BBC Radio 3, Oct. 1, 1995); Merciless Beauty for Countertenor and Orch. (1996; Wood-burn Festival, Oct. 18, 1997).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire