Blake, David (Leonard) (1936– )

English composer. He studied at Cambridge, and with Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Germany, and taught at York University from 1964. He uses serial technique, and is influenced by the music of the Far East.

Works Opera Toussaint L'Ouverture (1974–76, revised 1982), The Plumber's Gift (1985–88).

Orchestral two violin concertos (1976 and 1983); Scherzi ed intermezzi (1984); cello concerto (1989–93).

Chamber chamber symphony (1966), three string quartets (1962, 1973, 1982), Nonet for wind (1971), Capriccio, for wind, strings, and piano (1980); Seasonal Variants for seven players (1985).

Vocal three choruses to poems by Frost (1964), Lumina, cantata for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra, to text by Pound (1969), From the Mattress Grave, 12 Heine poems for soprano and 11 instruments (1978); The Spear for mezzo, speaker, and ensemble (1982); Rise, Dove for baritone and orchestra (1982); Pastoral Paraphrase for baritone and orchestra (1986).