Julian Broughton (born 1957) studied composition with Robin Holloway at Cambridge and with Robert Saxton at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he also studied piano with John York. He has lived in Sussex since 1985, and is well-known in the region as composer, conductor and recitalist. He currently convenes the music programme for the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sussex. A selective list of compositions is given below. Other work includes a Trio for clarinet, violin and piano, a Sonata for trombone and piano, music for chorus, organ and brass, songs with piano, a variety of shorter pieces for unaccompanied choir, and two further string quartets.
Selected Compositions:
(durations are approximate)
CHORAL
The Flowering of Flint (words: Peter Abbs). Chorus, orchestra.
Commissioned by East Sussex County Council.
First performed 1997: Sinfonia 21 with Heathfield Choral Society, dir. David Hill (De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea).
Duration: 4'
A Prayer for Rain (words: Steven Deproost). Chorus, alto solo, clarinet, string quartet, piano (four hands).
Commissioned by Sussex Philharmonic Chorus.
First performed 1990: Sussex Philharmonic Chorus and Ensemble dir. Jonathan Cross (St.Peter's Church, Brighton).
Duration: 11'
The Tree of Knowledge (words: Peter Abbs). Chamber choir, solo clarinet.
First performed 1989: Sussex Chamber Choir, dir. Jonathan Grieves Smith, with Nick Hayes, clarinet (St.Anne's Church, Lewes).
Duration: 18'
ORCHESTRA
Points of Departure. Concerto for string orchestra.
Commissioned by The Musicians of All Saints with funds from South-East Arts.
First performed 1999: The Musicians of All Saints, dir. Andrew Sherwood (St.Nicholas's Church, Brighton).
Duration: 12'
Intermezzo. Small symphony orchestra.
Commissioned by University College London (UCL) Music Society.
First performed 1990: UCL Orchestra, dir. Jonathan Grieves Smith (St.James's Piccadilly, London).
Duration: 11'
VOCAL
Audenary Songs (settings of three Auden poems). Tenor, piano.
Completed 2002.
Duration: 7'
A Fountain by a Wood (five settings of La Fontaine, transl. Christopher Wood). Soprano, piano.
Commissioned with funds from Kensington and Chelsea Arts Council.
First performed (except fifth song) 1997: Sally Bradshaw, soprano, Julian Broughton, piano (Institut Francais, London).
First performance of final song, The Oak and the Reed, arranged by the composer for soprano, oboe, clarinet, viola and harp: 2002. Sally Bradshaw, soprano, members of Okeanos (Lincoln Cathedral).
Duration (complete cycle): 25'
CHAMBER
String Quartet No. 1
Commissioned with funds from Yorkshire and Humberside Arts.
First performed 1999: Kreutzer String Quartet (De Gray Rooms, York).
First performance of revised version, 2001: Bingham String Quartet (St.Mary de Haura Church, Shoreham-by-Sea).
Duration: 11'
The Field of Stars. Flute, cello, piano.
First performed 1995: Helen Lee, flute, Peter Copley, cello, Julian Broughton, piano (Chapel Royal, Brighton).
Duration: 7'
PIANO
Studies in Wood and Stone
No.1, first performed 2001: Stephanie Cant, piano (Chapel Royal, Brighton).
No.2, first performed 1998: Julian Broughton, piano (St.Nicholas's Church, Brighton).
Duration: 7'
Barcarolle
Commissioned by Brian Measday.
First performed 1995: Julian Broughton, piano (St.Michael's Church, Lewes).
Duration: 6'
Sonata in Two Movements
Commissioned by Linda Hammond.
First performed 1994: Julian Broughton, piano (St.Michael's Church, Lewes).
Duration: 10'