JOHN RUSHBY-SMITH.

MUSICAL COMPOSITION

John Rushby-Smith's works have been performed in several major concert venues, including London's South Bank, the Wigmore Hall and the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. They have also been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Swiss Radio, Belgian Radio and National Public Radio (USA), as well as being recorded on LP and CD.

Works include:

Three Songs (Elizabethan texts) (1958). BBC Broadcast 1986 by Susan Kessler (Mezzo-soperano) and Geoffrey Parsons (Piano). Also broadcast on Swiss Radio. Performed at the Elgar Birthplace Museum by Ian Sloan (tenor) and Robin Hales, 2002.

Toccata (1961); Elegy (1965) for piano. BBC broadcast by ffrangcon Davies 1968, also performed at the Cookham Festival.

Violin Sonata (1971) BBC broadcast 1980 by Gyorgy Pauk and Michael Isador, 1st performed by Leonard Friedman & the composer, Ledlanet (Scotland) 1971. Performed by Marcia Crayford & pianist, Purcell Room, London, in a Park Lane Group concert (mid 70s).

Monologue for Oboe/Oboe d'Amore (1970) performed at the Nottingham Festival 1971 by its dedicatee Jennifer Paull (Oboe d’Amore). Oboe version broadcast (early 80s) by John Anderson (BBC Lunchtime Recital). Recorded by Jennifer Paull on Amoris CD AI SC V ll “The Oboe d’Amore Collection Vol.II) (see Amoris International). Published by Simrock.

Piano Sonata (1964) performed by Yonty Solomon at the Wigmore Hall, London (Park Lane Group Concert) (1974). BBC Broadcast by Susan Bradshaw (late 70s).

Reverie for Orchestra (ca 1965) Broadcast by the BBC Concert Orchestra (several times) conductors: Vilem Tausky, Eric Wetherell. Published Chandos.

Valse Seriale (ca 1967). Broadcast by the BBC Concert Orchestra (several times) conductors: Vilem Tausky, Eric Wetherell. Published Chandos.

Saxophone Quartet (1971) performed at the Purcell Room 1972, the World Sax Congress Toronto 1972, and broadcast on the BBC in 1974 by the London Sax Quartet. Also performed by the Myrrha Saxophone Quartet at St John’s Smith Square, the Luxembourg Saxophone Quartet, and others. Published by Simrock.

Aspects of Night for piano duet commissioned by the Arts Council and Anne Shasby & Richard McMahon 1971. Performed at the Wigmore Hall, Warwick Univ (BBC broadcast); in BBC "Concert Hall", at Manchester University and elsewhere.

Concerto Grosso (1971) for string orchestra, performed by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble; performed and broadcast (BBC) by the Richard Hickox Orchestra; broadcast by the London Studio Strings (BBC).

Lifespan for 2 sopranos and tape. Performed at the St Bartholemew’s Festival, London, 1978 (Electric Phoenix).

Syzygy (1974) for flute and piano performed Susan Milan and Clifford Benson, Purcell Room; BBC broadcast (same artists) late 70s; performed in the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. by Keith Bryan and Karen Keyes; broadcast on National Public Radio 1980.  BBC broadcast by Anna Noakes and Dina Bennett (twice) (1986); Recorded for Sonoton Pro Nova on LP "Starcycle" (Noakes/Bennett) - issued 1987.

The Ladies - 12 cabaret songs for eponymous play by Bettina Jonic, performed in context by Bettina Jonic at the French Institute, London, 1987.  

Anima for Solo Viola. Composed for, and first performed by Rivka Golani at the 1984 International Viola Congress, Isle of Man. Subsequently recorded for CBS (Canada).

Also performed by Richard Crabtree.

A Dream of Spires for Viola and Piano, first performed at St Edmund Hall, Oxford in 1992 (?) by Rivka Golani and Clifford Benson.

To a Gardener sung by Margaret Field (soprano) with Andrew Ball (piano) at the 1991 Bournemouth International Festival and at the 1992 Exeter Festival.

Justina & the Nightingale Song premiered by by Margaret Field (soprano) with Andrew Ball (piano) at the Bournemouth International Festival,. 1992.

Three Shelley Songs 1st performed at the Sheffield Firth Hall by Margaret Field and Joyce Woodhead.  Later merged with the following (Love’s Legacy)

Love's Legacy - Four settings of Shelley, First performed by Margaret Field and Joyce Woodhead, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham; recorded by Margaret Field (soprano) and Andrew Ball (piano) on Redcliffe Recordings CD No RR 009: "British Song" (1994.)

A Perfect Rose - setting of poem by Charles Tomlinson. Recorded by Margaret Field and Andrew Ball on  Walsingham Classics CD "A Garland of Roses", released 1998.

The Southwell Service - Canticles for Evensong, composed for Southwell Minster Choir, director Paul hale. Broadcast in BBC Radio 3 “Choral Evensong” 1997, released on Cantoris CD "The Lord is my Shepherd" 1998.

John Rushby-Smith is a member of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters and the Performing Right Society. He is also a Founder member Sonic Arts Network and is listed in the Internatonal Who's Who in Music and the British Music Year Book.

SONGBIRD HOME PAGE

MARGARET FIELD: Biography Repertoire Reviews JOHN RUSHBY-SMITH: Biography Discography