Payne, Anthony (Edward)
Payne, Anthony (Edward)
Payne, Anthony (Edward) , English composer and music critic; b. London, Aug. 2,1936. He studied at Dulwich Coll. and the Univ. of Durham (1958–61). He was a music critic for the London Daily Telegraph (1965–87) and the Independent (from 1987). In 1966 he married Jane Manning . Payne made a realization of the unfinished sketches of Elgar’s 3rd Sym. (1933) in 1998. His style of composition is structurally disciplined, but inwardly Romantic and inspired by northern moods and modes.
Writings
(all pubi, in London): Schoenberg (1968); with L. Foreman, Frank Bridge (1976); Frank Bridge: Radical and Conservative (1984); Elgar’s Third Symphony: The Story of the Reconstruction (1998).
Works
dramatic: Ballet: Fresh Dances for the Late Tchaikovsky (London, Oct. 20, 1993). orch.:Suite from a Forgotten Ballet (1955; rev. 1986; BBC Radio 3, Feb. 1, 1989); Contrapuncti for String Quartet and String Orch. (1958; rev. 1979); Concerto for Orchestra (1974; London, Jan. 8,1975); Song of the Clouds (1979–80; Cheltenham, June 2’9, 1980); Spring’s Shining Wake (1980–81; BBC Radio 3, Dec. 21, 1983); Songs and Seascapes for Strings (London, June 6, 1984); The Spirit’s Harvest (London, July 31, 1985); Half-Heard in the Stillness (Derby, Sept. 17,1987); Time’s Arrow (London, July 24,1990); Symphonies of the Wind and Rain (1992; London, April 25, 1993); A Hidden Music (London, June 16, 1992); The Seeds Long Hidden…, orchestral variations (London, Nov. 22, 1994); Elgar/Payne Sym. No. 3 (realization of Elgar’s unfinished sketches, 1998). brass:Fire on Wholeness (York, June 25, 1976); Fanfares and Processional (London, Sept. 19, 1986); Echoes of Courtly Love (1987; London, May 13,1988); River-race (Norwich, Oct. 9,1990). chamber:Paraphrases and Cadenzas for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano (London, Nov. 20, 1969; rev. 1979); Sonatas and Ricercars for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (1970; 1st complete perf., BBC Radio 3, May 28, 1974); String Quartet (London, Dec. 4, 1978); Footfalls Echo in the Memory for Violin and Piano (1978; Three Choirs Festival, Aug. 22,1980); The Stones and Lonely Places Sing for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Piano and String Trio (London, Sept. 2, 1979); A Day in the Life of a Mayfly for Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Violin, and Cello (London, Sept. 25, 1981); The Song Streams in the Firmament for Clarinet, String Quartet, and Double Bass (N.Y., April 19, 1986); A 1940’s Childhood for Flute and Guitar (London, April 10, 1987; also for Flute and Harp, London, Feb. 19, 1989); Consort Music for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and Cello (Cambridge, July 27, 1987); Sea-Change for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (Islington, June 12, 1988); Amid the Winds of Evening for Viola (1988; London, April 26, 1989); The Enchantress Plays for Bassoon and Piano (1990; London, Jan. 8, 1991); Empty Landscape—Heart’s Ease for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Viola, and Cello (London, March 21, 1995); Piano Trio (1998). keyboard:Piano: Paean (London, Dec. 9, 1971); Miniature Variations on a Theme ofE. L. (1980; London, March 6, 1981). Organ: Reflections in the Sea of Glass (1983). vocal:Phoenix Mass for Chorus, 3 Trumpets, and 3 Trombones (1965–72; BBC Radio 3, Oct. 2, 1973); 2 Songs Without Words for Men’s Vocal Quintet (1970; London, Feb. 4, 1971); 4 Little Cantatas for Chorus (1974–83; rev. 1984); First Sight of Her and After for 16 Solo Voices (London, Dec. 11, 1975; also for Chorus and Chamber Ensemble, London, April 27, 1989); The World’s Winter for Soprano, Flute, Oboe, and Clarinet (Cheltenham, July 4, 1976); The Sea of Glass for Chorus and Organ (St. Albans Abbey, July 2, 1977); Evening Land for Soprano and Piano (Norwich, April 4, 1981); Alleluias and Hockets for Chorus and 10 Instruments (London, Sept. 3,1987); Adlestrop for Soprano and Piano (Aldeburgh, June 10,1989; also for Soprano and Piano Quintet, 1993); Aspects of Love and Contentment for Soprano and Ensemble (London, June 16,1991); Break, break, break for Chorus (1996); Scenes From the Woodlanders for Soprano, 2 Clarinets, Violin, and Cello (1998).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire