Alwyn, William (1905-1985)

English composer. He was professor of composition at the Royal Academy of Music, London, 1926-55; he wrote film music (Desert Victory, The Way Ahead), and composed symphonies and chamber music.

He was born in Northampton, and entered the Royal Academy of Music as a student of flute, piano, and composition, studying the last under John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) and obtaining the Costa Scholarship. He played the flute in the London Symphony Orchestra and his first work for orchestra, Five Preludes, was given at a 1927 Prom concert. His music includes an unperformed opera The Libertine. He also published The Technique of Film Music (1957).

Works Opera Miss Julie (1961-76).

Film music Our Country, The Lost Illusion, and many others.

Orchestral five preludes, concerto grosso, overture to a masque, and five symphonies for orchestra (1949-73); piano concerto, violin concerto.

Chamber Pastoral Fantasia for viola and strings; two string quartets, Rhapsody for piano quartet; Sonata-Impromptu for violin and viola, sonatina for viola and piano; piano pieces; Divertimento for solo flute.