Steptoe, Roger (Guy)

Steptoe, Roger (Guy), English composer, teacher, and pianist; b. Winchester, Hampshire, Jan. 25, 1953. He studied at the Univ. of Reading (B.A., 1974) and received training in composition from Alan Bush at the Royal Academy of Music in London (1974–76). After serving as composer-in- residence at Charterhouse School, Surrey (1976–79), he was a prof. of composition at the Royal Academy of Music (1980–91), where he served as administrator of its International Composers Festivals (1986–93). In 1993 he became artistic director of the Landmark Festivals Assn. He also was active as a pianist.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: King ofMacedon (Surrey, Oct. 18, 1979). ORCH .: 2 Miniatures for Strings (1977; Oxford, May 29, 1982); Sinfonia concertante for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Strings (1981; London, June 26, 1982); Concerto for Oboe and Strings (1982; Crewe, Jan. 10, 1984); Concerto for Tuba and Strings (1983; London, Oct. 27, 1986); Rapsodia sinfonica, concerto for Violin and Orch. (1987); Sym. (1988); Concerto for Clarinet and Strings (1989); Organ Concerto (1990); Cello Concerto (1991); Cheers! (1993). CHAMBER : 2 string quartets: No. 1 (1976; London, Jan. 5, 1977) and No. 2 (1985; Aberystw-yth, May 5, 1986); Suite for Cello (1977); Study for Violin (1978); 2 Impromptus for Clarinet (1978); Quintet for Clarinet and Strings (1980); Study for Guitar (1981); The Knight of the Sun for Brass Quintet (1982); 3 Pieces for Viola and Piano (1982); 2 violin sonatas (1983, 1986); 2 Studies for Bassoon and Piano (1983); 4 Sonnets for Brass Quintet (1984); Quartet for Oboe and Strings (1988; Berlin, April 18, 1989); Duo for Oboe and Harp (1991); Piano Trio (1993). Piano: 3 Preludes (1976); 2 sonatas (1979, 1988); Equinox (1981). VOCAL : 2 Madrigals for Chorus (1976): 2 Introits for Chorus and Organ (1977, 1985); The Looking Glass for Soprano, Oboe, and Piano (1980); Chinese Lyrics: set 1 for Soprano and Piano (1982) and set 2 for Mezzo-soprano or Countertenor and Piano (1983); Another Part of the Forest, scena for 4 Voices and Piano (1983); In Winter’s Cold Embraces Dye, cantata for Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1985); Elegy on the Death and Burial of Cock Robin for Countertenor and 11 Solo Strings (1988); Life’s Unquiet Dream for Baritone, Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1992); The Passionate Shepherd to his Love for Children’s Voices and Piano (1992); 3 Sonnets to Delia for Baritone and Piano (1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire