Richard Roper

Member

Composer/Lyricist:	Composer
Genre:	Concert

Biography

Born 18.1.21.
I studied music at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music, with war service in the Royal Navy in between. Over the years, I have put my musical knowledge to use in teaching and journalism as well as in composition.

Partly as an outlet for my own work, in 1978, in conjunction with its conductor, Basil Howitt, I founded the Bertelin Chamber Orchestra, mainly drawn from Manchester-based professionals, to perform in Stafford; and of this I was manager for three years.

For this orchestra and for Julia Vohralik I wrote my Cello Concerto, while for the well-known ensemble Jeux, of which she is a member, I wrote Serenata Variata. I wrote my Euphonium Sonata for John Powell when he was just finishing his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. It has been recorded by his world-famous teacher, Steven Mead.

A String of Tones was written for John Powell's tuba quartet, Tubalate.

I am a member of the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles.

 

Important Works		Performances
Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra (25 mins) Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra (30 mins) Serenata Variata for Flute, Harp and String Trio (10 mins) Prelude and Fugue for String Trio (6 mins) Sonata for Violin and Piano (10 mins) Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (12 mins) Sonata for Euphonium and Piano or String Orchestra (10 mins) (Version with piano published by Studio Music Company and recorded on Polyphonic) A String of Tones for Tuba Quartet (4 mins) Three Bird Songs for Soprano, Recorder and Piano (8 mins) Vaughan Williams' Charter House Suite (piano) arranged for Wind Quintet Published by Stainer and Bell Ltd		None added