Saxton, Robert (1953– )

English composer. His music is known for its rich texture and organic quality, drawing from a range of influences including his Jewish heritage. He was head of composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama 1990–97 and at the Royal Academy of Music 1997–99. In 1999 he was appointed Fellow and Tutor of Worcester College, Oxford University.

He received early guidance from Benjamin Britten and studied with Elisabeth Lutyens, Robin Holloway, Robert Sherlaw Johnson, and Luciano Berio. At the age of just 22, he won the Gaudeamus International Composers prize. He became a Fulbright fellow at Princeton University, New Jersey, in 1986.

He was born in London, and started composing at the age of six. He has composed a range of classical works, for example the symphony The Circles of Light (1985) and the opera Caritas (1991).

Works Chamber and vocal La Promenade d'Automne for soprano and ensemble (1972), What does the song hope for? for soprano and ensemble (1974); Reflections on Narziss and Goldmund for two chamber groups, harp, and piano (1975); Canzona for chamber ensemble (1978); Processions and Dances for 11 instruments (1981); Piccola Musica per Luigi Dallapiccola for chamber ensemble (1981); Eloge for soprano and ensemble (1981); Ring, Time (1994) for wind ensemble; Alternative canticles for choir (2002).

Orchestral Choruses to Apollo for orchestra (1980); Traumstadt for orchestra (1980); Ring of Eternity for orchestra (1983); concerto for orchestra (1984), Circles of Light for chamber orchestra (1985); viola concerto (1986); In the Beginning for orchestra (1987); Elijah's Violin for orchestra (1988); concertos for violin (1989); concertos for cello (1993).

Instrumental Music for St Catharine for organ (1998); Sonata for solo cello on a theme of Walton (2000).

Other Psalm: a Song of Ascents for trumpet and ensemble (1992); piano quintet (1994); symphony for soprano, baritone, and orchestra (1993).