Stephen Goss English

STEPHEN GOSS (b. 1964) writes music that draws freely on a number of styles and genres. These eclectic influences result in the unexpected juxtapositions that characterise much of his work. His pieces frequently contain references and allusions to pre-existing music; an extreme example comes in the piece Looking Glass Ties (2001) which quotes an entire Scarlatti sonata as one of its movements.

Stephen’s music has been performed throughout Europe, America, the Middle East, South East Asia, South Africa, India and Australia, and is published in Germany, the USA and the UK. His concert music is published by Cadenza Music www.cadenza-music.com His pieces have been recorded on the Decca, Conifer Classics, Carlton Classics, GSP, quartz, Cadenza, BMG and Hallmark labels. In April 2005 The Garden of Cosmic Speculation (2004/05) was featured on The South Bank Show on ITV1. His music has also been featured on Radio 3's In Tune and broadcast on BBC2, BBC4, GMTV, Classic FM, BBC Radio 2, and Radio 4 in the UK and various radio and TV stations overseas.

Stephen’s most recent commissions have come from The Yehudi Menuhin School (Frozen Music for guitar and strings), the Bhavan Institute of Indian Arts (a large-scale work for Gemini and classical Indian musicians), The Delta Saxophone Quartet, William Bennett, Jane Manning, and guitarists Xuefei Yang, Craig Ogden, Michael Partington and the Hand-Dupré duo. Future projects include a concerto for flute, harp and strings and a concerto for electric guitar and orchestra.

As a guitarist, Stephen Goss has won several prizes and awards, including the Julian Bream Prize. He has worked with many of today's leading composers on their solo guitar music; these include Toru Takemitsu, Hans Werner Henze and Elliott Carter. He has performed and recorded with a number of new music ensembles such as Jane's Minstrels, Gemini and The Brunel Ensemble and has played concertos with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the English Sinfonia and other leading orchestras. Stephen has toured and recorded extensively with the Tetra guitar quartet, recently returning from a highly successful trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Borneo, Brunei and India.

Born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Stephen studied at The Royal Academy of Music and at Bristol and London Universities: composition with Robert Saxton, Edward Gregson, Peter Dickinson and Anthony Payne, and guitar with Michael Lewin. He is on the editorial board of Guitar Forum and reviews for 19^th Century Music Review. He is a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music and a visiting artist at Trinity College of Music in London. In 1999 he was made an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his achievements in the music profession.

Stephen Goss is currently senior lecturer and head of composition at the University of Surrey, UK. Before that, he taught composition, harmony and counterpoint, music history, aural training, and analysis at The Yehudi Menuhin School (where he also coached football). At Surrey, Stephen has developed a number of modules and programmes that reflect his interests in pluralism, Post-Modernism, improvisation, performance studies and the late music of Beethoven.

www.stephengoss.net
www.surrey.ac.uk/Music/Who/Goss.htm
www.cadenza-music.com

Compositions

Uneasy Dreams (2006) 7 mins
for saxophone quartet
Commissioned by the Delta Saxophone Quartet. First performance 3rd March 2006 at the Guildford Richard Rodney Bennett Festival. Publication date April 2006 Cadenza Music.

Frozen Music(2005) 18 mins
for guitar and strings
Commissioned by the Yehudi Menuhin School for Lord Menuhin's 90th birthday concert on 22nd April 2006 in the new Menuhin Concert Hall. Publication date April 2006 Cadenza Music.

London Masala (2005) 26 mins
for clarinets, percussion, guitar, 2 vinas, sitar, 4 violins, 3 tabla players, 3 mridangams and voices
Commissioned by the Gemini Ensemble with funds provided by the Bhavan Institute for Indian Arts and Culture. First performed at the Bhavan Institute on 10th December 2005.

Park of Idols(2005) 11 mins
for cello and guitar
Commissioned by Leonid Gorokhov and Richard Hand. First performed on 9th November 2005 at the Keele Concert Society. Published by Cadenza Music © 2005.

Drums and Trumpets (2005) 1 min
for six trumpets and timpani
Commissioned by the University of Surrey for the installation of Prof Christopher M Snowden as Vice-Chancellor of the University. First performed by University Trumpets at Guildford Cathedral on 28th September 2005.

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation (2004/05) 26 mins
for violin, cello, bass clarinet and piano
Commissioned by the Gemini Ensemble and based on Charles Jencks' garden in Scotland. First performance 9th March 2005 at the Guildford International Music Festival. Jencks' garden and Stephen Goss' music were featured on an edition of The South Bank Show, broadcast on ITV1 on 3rd April 2005. The piece was recorded by Gemini on 21st March for a CD release in early 2006. Score and parts published by Cadenza Music © 2005

The Raw and the Cooked Le Cru et le Cuit (2004) 15 mins
for two guitars
Commissioned by the Hand-Dupré Duo. First performances given on a tour of South Africa between 1st and 14th June 2004, including recitals in Johannesburg and Cape Town with broadcasts on South African TV and radio. Published by Cadenza Music © 2004. Recorded by the Hand-Dupré Duo on Songs Without Words (Cadenza Music, CACD0501 © 2005). Second recording by the Eden-Stell duo on the BGS label is scheduled for release in May 2006.

Raise the Red Lantern (2003/04) 16 mins
for solo guitar
Commissioned by the Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang and GSP Records, San Francisco. First performance given at the Wigmore Hall, London, 19th April 2004, subsequent performances given in the Far East, USA and Europe. Recorded by Xuefeu Yang on Si Ji (GSP1028CD © 2005). Published by Cadenza Music © 2004

invisible starfall (2003) 1 min
for solo piano
Commissioned by Clive Williamson as part of the new piano music project One Minute Wonders. First performed at the University of Surrey, 28th January 2004 and subsequently at a number of other Universities and festivals throughout the UK. Recording available as a free download.

Tango: The White Queen (2003) 5 mins
for Tango band - violin, bandoneon, guitar, piano and double bass
Commissioned by Tango Volcano who gave first performance at the Bolivar Hall, Grafton Way, London NW1, 29th November 2004. Published by Cadenza Music © 2004

Oxen of the Sun (2003) 17 mins
for ten-string and six-string guitar
Commissioned by Jonathan Leathwood. First performed at the Bolivar Hall, Grafton Way, London on 21st March 2003. First US performance for the Denver Classical Guitar Society, South Broadway Christian Church, 23 Lincoln Street at Ellsworth, Denver, Colorado, USA 8th November 2003. Recorded on 12th July 2005 for CD release in 2006. Published by Cadenza Music © 2005

Gymnopédies after Erik Satie (2003) 7 mins
for flute and piano
Commissioned by Dexter Norville, who gave the first performance at the University Surrey on 21st May 2003 and subsequent performances in Barbados, West Indies. Second performance given by Ian Clark at the All Flutes Festival July 2003. Published by Cadenza Music © 2004

Spin (2002/03) 32 mins
for six dancers, flute, soprano saxophone, piano, guitar, sitar, video and electronics
A collaborative work with composer Tom Armstrong, choreographers Jennifer Jackson and Noni Jenkyn-Jones, and video artist Deveril. Funded by Arts Council England and first performed at the Guildford International Music Festival, 8th March 2003.

Russian Winter Song for two guitars (2003)
Steamin' and A-Rollin' for two guitars
Scarborough Fair for four guitars
Haunted House for two guitars
Robin Hood for three guitars
The Glassblower for four guitars
Gymnopedie No.1 for four guitars
The Eeyore Blues for three guitars
Claret and Blues for four guitars
Summerhouse Waltz for two guitars
Mexican Party at Sun Down for four guitars
Commissioned by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music for the 'Music Medals' examination syllabus. Published by ABRSM Publishing © 2004

Gnossiennes after Erik Satie (2002) 12 mins
for four guitars
Commissioned by Chameleon Arts. First performed by the TETRA Guitar Quartet at the Purcell Room, London 7th October 2002. Recorded on the Cadenza label (CADCD0460 © 2004) Published by Cadenza Music © 2003

First Milonga, Last Tango (2002) 8 mins
for flute and guitar
Commissioned by William Bennett and Jonathan Leathwood, who gave the first performance at the Guildford International Music Festival on 25th March 2003. Recorded by Anna Noakes and Richard Hand on their CD First Milonga, Last Tango on the quartz label (QTZ2031© 2005). Published by Cadenza Music © 2003

Trumpets and Clocks (2002) 2 mins
for four trumpets, two trombones and timpani
Commissioned by the University of Surrey to celebrate its 35th anniversary. First performed by Surrey Brass in Guildford Cathedral, 29th May 2002 and subsequently by the University of Surrey Symphony Orchestra 17th November 2002. Published by Tantallon Music © 2002

an ideal insomnia (2001/02) 11 mins
for solo piano
Commissioned by Graham Caskie. First performed at the Guildford International Music Festival, 19th March 2003. The piece was recorded 21st March 2005 for a CD release in early 2006. Published by Cadenza Music © 2003

Cottleston Pie (2001) 9 mins
for eight-part unaccompanied choir, SSAATTBB
First performed by the St Bride's Singers, St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London on March 14th, 2002 as part of the John Armitage Memorial Concert. Published by Tantallon Music © 2001

Lachrymae (2001) 5 mins
for four guitars
Commissioned by the Guildford International Festival. First performed by the TETRA Guitar Quartet at the Electric Theatre, Guildford, 21st March, 2001. First American performance given by the Lamont School of Music Guitar Ensemble, Denver Colorado, November 2002. Recorded on the Cadenza label (CADCD0460 © 2004). Published by Cadenza Music © 2004

Tango (2001) 5 mins
a piece for dance: for clarinet, accordion, vibraphone, marimba, suspended cymbal and double bass
Commissioned by the Guildford international Music Festival. First performed at the University of Surrey, 3rd March 2001, with choreography by Kate Lawrence. Published by Tantallon Music © 2001

Looking Glass Ties (2000/01) 21 mins
for solo guitar
Commissioned by Allan Neave with funds from the Dundee Guitar Festival. First complete performance 25th July 2002, West Park Centre, Dundee. Piece selected as a set piece for the First Scottish International Guitar Competition, July 2004. Recorded February 2003 for future CD release. Published by Cadenza Music © 2002

silentsailing night (1999) 11 mins
five lullabies for two guitars
Published by Tantallon Music © 1999

Milonga (1999) 2 mins
for two guitars
Commissioned by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for their 1999 guitar examination syllabus and repertoire books. Published by the GSMD © 1999

Carmen Fantasy (1998) 22 mins
a fantasy, for four guitars, on themes from Bizet's Carmen
Commissioned by Carlton Home Entertainment. First performed by the TETRA Guitar Quartet, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 4th March 1999. Published by Cadenza Music © 2002 and recorded on the Hallmark label (30368 01352 © 1999). Second recording on the Cadenza label (CADCD0460 © 2004).

Defying Gravity (1997) 13 mins
for high voice and guitar
Commissioned for the wedding of Alan Chadwick and Mary Williams. First performed at St Giles' Church Ashtead, 6th September 1997. Published by Tantallon Music © 1999

Arcadia (1996) 22 mins
for nineteen solo strings: nine violins, four violas, four cellos and two double basses
First performed by the Surrey Sinfonietta in the Charles Cryer Theatre Carshalton, Surrey, 25th April, 1999. Awarded first prize in the 1999 Surrey Sinfonietta National Composition Competition. Recorded on SSCD01 and published by Tantallon Music © 1999

E (1996) 2 mins
an encore piece for solo guitar
Written for the 80th birthday of Lord Menuhin. First performed at the Yehudi Menuhin School, May 1996. Published by Tantallon Music © 1996

Dreamchild (1994/5) 35 mins
a song cycle based on Alice for soprano and large ensemble (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, two trumpets, trombone, two marimbas, vibraphone, celesta, glockenspiel, untuned percussion, harp, piano, and bass guitar)
First performed by Jane Manning and The Dreamchild Ensemble conducted by Roger Redgate, 10th June 1997, Goldsmiths College Hall, London. Published by Tantallon Music © 1995

Three Ghosts (1994)
A Sad Waltz
Lydian Waves
Aeolian Harp
Roundabout blue
Dunbar Drones
Chant
Carillon
for solo guitar
Gamelan (1994)
for two guitars
Commissioned for the 1997 Associated Board guitar syllabus.
Published by Chanterelle Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany ECH 2101, 2102, 2103, 2205, and 2206 © 1995

One-Nil (1994) 2 mins
a fanfare for brass quintet
Commissioned for the wedding of Katy Clark and David Moody. First performed 18th July 1994. Published by Tantallon Music © 1994

Glassblower (1994) 10 mins
for contemporary dance scored for soprano saxophone and strings
Published by Tantallon Music © 1994

Tempo of Three Quartered (1993) 9 mins
for three eight-part guitar orchestras
Commissioned by the Northumberland International Guitar Summer School with funds from Northumberland County Council. First performed 6th August 1993, The Queen's Hall, Hexham. Published by Tantallon Music © 1994

Dances (1992) 10 mins
for flute and guitar
Commissioned by Tambourin. First performed 1st July 1993, Guildford Guildhall as part of the Guildford International Music Festival. Published by Tantallon Music © 1996

Saviour of the World (1992) 6 mins
an English anthem for double SATB choir and organ
Commissioned by the Ashtead Singers. First performed 13th September 1992. Published by Tantallon Music © 2002

The Snowbeast (1992) 60 mins
a music drama written by Amanda Brennan, choreography by Jane Turner, with music by Martin Jacklin and Stephen Goss for symphony orchestra, children’s choir and soloists
Commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. First performed in the Great Hall, Kensington, 16th December 1992 by the Fulham Symphony Orchestra and the Kensington Children's Choir, conducted by Lesley Larkum with dancers and actors from the performing arts courses at Kensington and Chelsea College.

Three Welsh Folksongs (1991) 7 mins
for voice and guitar
Commissioned by Live Music Now! Wales. First performed at the Chichester Festivities, 16th July 1991. Recorded on Songs from Britain and America, Tantallon records CD 31 © 1993. Published by Cadenza Music © 2005

Madrugada (1991) 4 mins
for solo guitar
Commissioned by Gilbert Biberian. First performed at the GBISS Summer School, 12th August 1991. Published by Tantallon Music © 1996

Under Milk Wood Songs (1991) 11 mins
for soprano and guitar
First performed at the Glynn Vivien Art Gallery, Swansea, October 1990 as part of the Swansea Festival. Recorded on Songs from Britain and America, Tantallon records CD 31 © 1993. Published by Cadenza Music © 2002

Under Milk Wood Variations (1989) 14 mins
for narrator and four guitars
Commissioned for the TETRA guitar Quartet by the Dylan Thomas Society of Great Britain. First performed at St John's, Smith Square, London, 24th Ferbuary 1990. Recorded on Tantallon records TETRA CDDB2 © 1991. Published by Cadenza Music © 2005

Six Inventions for Solo Cello (1986) 8 mins
after the Sarabande from Bach's Cello Suite BWV 1011
Commissioned by the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writers' Festival. First performed by Sian Bell at the Royal Court, 23rd October 1986. Published by Tantallon Music © 1986

Three Miniatures for Guitar (1986) 7 mins
for solo guitar
Commissioned by Michael Corley. First performed at The Old Malthouse Music Society, 16th January 1988. Published by Tantallon Music © 1986

Hymnen an die Nacht (1985) 17 mins
an orchestral song-cycle for solo Mezzo-soprano and solo Baritone
Commissioned by the Iaspis Chamber Orchestra. First performed at St John's, Smith Square, London, 17th December 1985 conducted by Nikolas Mikolakis. Published by Tantallon Music © 1986

Other Publications

The Society of Influences
Cover Article, New Notes, March 2005
Journal of the Society for the Promotion of New Music
www.spnm.org.uk

Contemporary Composers: Stephen Goss
Interview feature in Classical Guitar Magazine February 2004. Ashley Mark Publishing Company, 1 & 2 Vance Court, Trans Britannia Enterprise Park, Blaydon on Tyne, NE21 5NH, United Kingdom
www.ashleymark.co.uk/classicalguitar

Come Heavy Sleep: motive and metaphor in Britten's Nocturnal for Guitar Op. 70
Guitar Forum 1, EGTA: September 2001
www.egtaguitarforum.org

The guitar and the musical canon: myths of tradition and heritage in concert repertoire and didactic methodology
The Journal of the European Guitar Teachers' Association EGTA: July 2000. Also published on-line www.egtaguitarforum.org/ExtraArticles/Goss.html#

Supporting skills for guitarists
Course units for Reading University's Music Teaching in Private Practice postgraduate diploma course and MA in Music Education, Reading University Press (1997)

Innovations in Post-1970 European Guitar Composition
MMus dissertation published by Ashley Mark Publishing co., Gateshead, in Classical Guitar Magazine in monthly instalments from October 1989 to January 1990 under the serial title Innovations

Guitar Grade Exams
Co-author of EGTA's report and recommendation for the modernisation of guitar grade exams, EGTA (UK) (1993)

Conference Papers and Public Lectures

26th August 2005
Round Table: 'Marketing New Music: From Assimilation to Affiliation?'
Nicholas Reyland (London Sinfonietta, Cardiff University - chair)
Karen Cardy (Marketing Manager, London Symphony Orchestra)
John Fosbrook (Promotion Manager, Chester Music/Novello & Co., formerly SPNM)
Stephen Goss (Composer and guitarist, University of Surrey)
Gillian Moore (Artistic Director, London Sinfonietta)
Keith Potter (The Independent , Goldsmiths College)
Philip Tagney (Senior Producer BBC Radio 3, responsible for new music)
The Fourth Biennial International Conference on Twentieth-century Music, University of Sussex
www.sussex.ac.uk/music/1-4-1.html

16th July 2005
Composing and the Society of Influences
Prelude to Keynote Lecture: Second Mtpp Research Conference on Music Teaching and Learning 'Musical Creativity' Reading University International Centre for Research in Music Education
www.soews.rdg.ac.uk/icrme

15th May 2005
Idiom versus Imagination: Vortrag mit Musikbeispielen und anschließender Diskussion
Keynote Lecture, 13. Internationales Pfingstseminar Koblenz Guitar Festival
www.pfingstseminar.de

8th March 2005
Research Seminar: The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
University of Surrey, as part of the Guildford International Music Festival
www.guildfordinternationalmusicfestival.co.uk

29th January 2005
an ideal insomnia: Mahler and Alter Klang
Public Lecture, Royal Academy of Music 3.00 pm
Marylebone Road , London , NW1

22nd July 2004
Meet the Composer: Stephen Goss talks about his guitar music
Keynote Lecture: Dundee Guitar Festival
Ashton Room, Caird Hall complex, Dundee, Scotland
http://dundeeguitarfestival.com

20th July 2004
The guitar in music education: an introduction
Publica Lecture, University of Reading Mtpp Summer School
Institute of Education, Bulmershe Court, Earley, Reading, RG6 1HY
44 (0)118 378 5933
www.education.rdg.ac.uk

14th November 2003
New Music for Guitar: latest techniques and trends
Composition department lecture-recital
Royal Academy of Music
Marylebone Road , London
www.ram.ac.uk

10th December 2002
an ideal insomnia: assimilating borrowed materials
Music Research Seminars, University of Surrey
www.surrey.ac.uk/Music

24th July 2000
The Guitar and the Musical Canon: The myths of tradition and heritage in concert repertoire and didactic methodology
3rd EGTA International Congress in Cambridge: 'The Teacher as Composer, The Composer as Teacher' Girton College, Cambridge

14th March 2000
Looking Glass Ties: quotation and reference in Dreamchild, Arcadia and other recent pieces
Music Research Seminars, University of Surrey
www.surrey.ac.uk/Music

24th February 1993
There is no new music, there are only new musicians
Issues in Research - Post-graduate Research Conference, Goldsmiths College, University of London

Discography

Compositions

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation (2004/05)
an ideal insomnia (2001/02)
Oxen of the Sun (2003)
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation various artists, Cadenza Music (forthcoming, March 2006)

The Raw and the Cooked Le Cru et le Cuit (2004)
Songs Without Words The Hand-Dupré Duo, Cadenza Music (CACD0501 © 2005)

First Milonga, Last Tango (2002)
First Milonga, Last Tango Anna Noakes and Richard Hand, quartz music (QTZ2031© 2005)

Carmen Fantasy (1998)
Gnossiennes (2002)
Lachrymae (2001)
Carmen TETRA Guitar Quartet, Cadenza Music (CADCD0460 © 2004)

Under Milk Wood Songs (1990)
Three Welsh Folksongs (1991)
Songs from Britain and America Jenevora Williams and Stephen Goss, Tantallon Records (TRCD031 © 1993)

Under Milk Wood Variations (1989)
TETRA Karl Daymond - Narrator, TETRA Guitar Quartet, Tantallon Records (TRCDDB2 © 1991)

Arrangements

Vivaldi: 'Winter' from The Four Seasons
Vivaldi: Concerto in D, RV.93
The Four Seasons TETRA Guitar Quartet, Carlton Classics (30366 000692 © 1997)

Walton: Façade
Weill: Songs from the Threepenny Opera
Prokofiev: Suite from Lieutenant Kije
By Arrangement TETRA Guitar Quartet, Conifer (CDCF 903 © 1993)

Ives: Memories, In the Alley, The Side Show, The Circus Band
Songs from Britain and America Jenevora Williams and Stephen Goss, Tantallon Records (TRCD031 © 1993)

Performances

Watersmeet
the chamber music of Stephen Dodgson, Cadenza Music (forthcoming, November 2005)

The Selevan Story
the St Levan Ensemble, playing the guitar ensemble works of Stephen Dodgson, ESG Records (1999)