Josephs, Wilfred (1927-1997)

English composer. As well as film and television music, he wrote ten symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. His works include the Jewish Requiem (1969) and the opera Rebecca (1983).

He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and in Paris, France. His Requiem of 1963 won first prize in a competition at La Scala, Milan, Italy.

Works Stage opera Rebecca (after Hollywood rather than du Maurier; produced Leeds, 1983); dramatic works for children and for TV; ballets The Magic Being (1961), La Répétition de Phèdre (1965), Equus (1978), and Cyrano de Bergerac (1985).

Orchestral ten symphonies (1955-85); two piano concertos, violin concerto, clarinet concerto (1975), concerto for viola and chamber orchestra (1983).

Vocal Mortales for soloists, chorus, and orchestra (texts by Blake, Shelley, Nashe, and Luther; first performance Cincinnati, 1970).

Chamber four string quartets (1954-81), octet (1964), two violin sonatas, piano trio (1974).