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Frank Bayford

Professional

Location: Middlesex
Composer/Lyricist: Composer
Genre: Concert
Representation: Modus Music
21 Canonbury Road
Enfield
Middlesex

Biography

Frank Bayford was born in London on 26 August 1941. He was educated at the Grammar School, Enfield and then went on to study pharmacy (1961-64) at what is now Portsmouth University. Most of his professional career was spent at Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield, where he was for many years Head of Pharmacy and also Guest Lecturer in pharmaceutics to the medical and nursing staff. He took an early retirement from the Health Service in 1988. He still retains links with the hospital in his capacity as an honorary member of the Chase Farm Archive Group.

He is mainly self-taught as a composer and has written over 100 works, ranging from solo piano pieces to orchestral items. His music is concise and was once described as "not outstaying its welcome", to the delight of the composer. As well as this country, his work has been performed in places as far apart as Alaska and Austin, Texas in the USA, and Lisbon in Portugal.

In 1974, he was instrumental in forming Compass Composers Association. This organisation gave many first performances of new music from the late 1970s and formed a publishing division, Modus Music, which now has a catalogue of over 300 varied items.

In recognition of his support for music locally in Enfield (where he has been a life-long resident), he was made President of the Enfield String Players in 1993. This well-established orchestra has premiered several of his works.

His interests include history, gardening, Scotland, old churches, and photography. Many of his slides form the basis for a series of talks that he gives about places in the British Isles and local history.

Important Works Performances
  1. Two Dance Elegies Op.18 clarinet/piano (5 mins)1st perf: 5.11.88, London N18
  2. Danzas Excentricas Op.36 piano (5 mins)1st perf: 31.10.96, BMIC
  3. Summer Waters Op.37a2 clarinets (7 mins)1st perf: 31.10.94, Lisbon
  4. Dances of Winter Op.43 clarinet, piano and vibraphone (5 mins)1st perf: 10.5.92, Kew
  5. In Terra Pax Op.47 soprano, clarinet and piano (11 mins)1st perf: 14.10.86, BMIC
  6. Romney Landscape - Spring Op.58 bclarinet/piano (5 mins)1st perf: 15.11.84, BMIC
  7. Hebridean Nocturnes Op.61 string orchestra (5 mins) 1st perf: 16.3.96, Enfield
  8. Songs for Children's Dreams Op.67 soprano/piano (6 mins)1st perf: 27.11.87, BMIC
  9. Wind Quintet - 'of thylacines and takahes' Op.71fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn (10 mins)1st perf: 1.5.91, Sutton Coldfield
  10. Tribute - Variations for Strings Op.84 string orchestra (5 mins)1st perf: 29.11.97, Enfield
  11. Preludes Book 1 Nos 1-8 Op.1 piano (14mins) Ist perf: 31.10.81, Enfield
  12. Prelundes Book 2 Nos 9-13 Op.44 piano (5mins) Ist perf: 16.06.82 Greenwich
  13. Preludes Book 3 Nos 14-16 Op.51 piano (6mins) Ist perf: 22.12.06 Brighton
  14. Sonata No.3 Op.87 piano (11mins) 1st perf: 11.12.04 Kew
  15. Elegia Atlantica Op.54 string orch. (10mins) 1st perf: 19.11.88 Kew
  16. Lachrymae Op.92b string orch. (4mins) 1st perf: 28.04.01 Enfield
  17. Intermezzi, Set 1 Op.72 piano (5mins) 1st perf: 08.12.88 Highgate
  18. Intermezzi, Set 2 Op.93 piano (9mins) 1st perf: 08.12.01 London N18
  19. Trialogues Op.97 ob, cl, bsn (10mins) 1st perf: 26.11.05 Regent Hall
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