Maw, Nicholas (1935– )

English composer. His music is largely traditional in character. He studied with Lennox Berkeley at the Royal Academy of Music 1955–58 and with Nadia Boulanger in Paris 1958–59. He has taught at Cambridge University 1966–70 and at Yale, and currently teaches in New York. Important works include Scenes and Arias (1962) and Odyssey, a massive orchestral work composed 1973–89.

Works Stage comic operas One Man Show (1964) and The Rising of the Moon (1970).

Orchestral Morning Music for orchestra (1982); Spring Music for orchestra (1983); Sonata Notturno for cello and strings (1985); Odyssey for orchestra (1972–85); The World in the Evening for orchestra (1988), Little concert for oboe, two horns, and strings (1988), Shahnama for orchestra (1992); Life Studies for 15 solo strings (1973–76).

Choral and vocal Requiem for soprano and contralto soloists, women's chorus, string trio, and string orchestra; Nocturne for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1958); Scenes and Arias for solo voices and orchestra (1962); La Vita Nuova for soprano and chamber ensemble (1979).

Chamber Sonata for strings and two horns (1967); Chamber Music for flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon, and piano (1962); two string quartets (1965, 1982); Music of Memory for guitar (1989).