Searle, Humphrey (1915–1982)

English composer and writer on music. After studying with the serialist composer Anton Webern, he later employed 12-note methods extensively in his own music. He was a professor at the Royal College of Music 1965–77.

He was educated at Winchester College and Oxford University, and studied music with John Ireland at the Royal College of Music in London and in Vienna under Webern. In 1938 he joined the BBC, then served in the army 1940–46, and in 1947 became honorary secretary to the International Society for Contemporary Music.

Works Opera and stage operas The Diary of a Madman (after Gogol, 1958), The Photo of the Colonel (after Ionesco, 1964), Hamlet (Shakespeare, 1968); ballets The Great Peacock, Dualities; Gold Coast Customs and The Shadow of Cain (Edith Sitwell) and The Riverrun (James Joyce) for speakers, chorus, and orchestra; Jerusalem for speaker, tenor, chorus, and orchestra (1970).

Orchestral and chamber five symphonies (1953–64), two suites and Highland Reel for orchestra; two nocturnes and two suites for chamber orchestra; piano concerto; Intermezzo for chamber ensemble, quintet for horn and strings; quartet for violin, viola, clarinet, and bassoon; sonata, Vigil and Ballad for piano; two Housman songs.