Parker, (Charles) Stephen (Lawrence)

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Parker, (Charles) Stephen (Lawrence)

Parker, (Charles) Stephen (Lawrence), English-born Irish composer, writer, painter, and jazz pianist; b. Melton Mowbrey, Leicestershire, March 29, 1961. He received training in music from Frederick Rogan in Kettering, Northamptonshire (1969–79), and also played with chamber groups and jazz ensembles. After private studies in composition with Oliver Knus-sen (1978–79), he studied with Ruth Gerald (piano) and John Lambert (composition) at the Royal Coll. of Music in London (1979–82). In 1982 he emigrated to Ireland, where he taught piano and gave numerous piano recitals, often programming contemporary works. From 1990 he devoted himself to composition, writing, painting, and making appearances as a jazz pianist. Among his works are a number of orch. scores, including a Sinfonietta (1996), The Walk to Poolbeg Lighthouse (1997), 2 violin concertos (1997–98; 1999), First Light on Skellig Rock (1998), Dance the Magic Isle (1999), a Jazz Trumpet Concerto (1999), Amazon (1999), and an Organ Concerto (2000). He has also written film music.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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