Crosse, Gordon (1937– )

English composer. His works, sometimes showing the influence of Benjamin Britten, include the operas The Grace of Todd (1969) and The Story of Vasco (1974). He has also written children's theatre pieces and the oratorio Changes (1966).

Born in Bury, Lancashire, he was educated at Oxford University and then undertook two years' research into 15th-century music. He studied under Egon Wellesz and later under Goffredo Petrassi in Rome. He has taught at Birmingham University, the University of Essex, and at King's College, Cambridge.

Works Stage operas Purgatory and The Grace of Todd (both 1969); ballet Young Apollo (1984).

Orchestral two violin concertos (1962, 1969), two symphonies (1964 and 1976), Dreamsongs for orchestra (1979); Array for trumpet and strings (1986); Quiet for wind band (1987).

Chamber string quartet (1980); piano trio (1986).

Pieces for children Meet my Folks! (poems by Ted Hughes; 1964), Potter Thompson and Holly from the Bongs (both 1974).