The 10 best English composers

Here are the ten composers who could arguably be described as England’s best.

Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

Thomas Tallis is undoubtedly one of England’s finest composers and a master of choral music. His melody ‘You were, O God‘ inspired Vaughan Williams to his fantasy Masterpiece. And Tallis’ 40-part motet Sperm in Alium is simply one of the greatest pieces of choral music ever written.

William Byrd (ca. 1539–1543–1623)
The Renaissance master composed in many forms common in the England of his time, including sacred and secular vocal works, piano and consort music. Byrd’s music is among the works that marked the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The good Queen Bess loved his music and – fortunately for him – and for us – ignored his devout Roman Catholicism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8yU7Rl1TU

Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Although influenced by Italian and French styles, Purcell’s legacy was a uniquely English version of the Baroque. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest English composers, and no one else came close to his fame or brilliance until Elgar came along two centuries later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVivtti-nw

Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
As a composer, Parry is best known for the song Jerusalemthe coronation anthem I was gladand the choral and orchestral ode Blessed Siren Couple. Both during his lifetime and today, Parry’s reputation and critical standing have fluctuated, but currently he has a great champion in the Prince of Wales, who persuaded the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to walk down the aisle to I was glad at their wedding.

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Unusually for an English composer, many of Elgar’s works have entered the international classical repertoire, including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, the Cello Concerto and two symphonies. Like Byrd, Elgar, a Roman Catholic, saw himself as an outsider, and many of his works are characterized by a kind of restrained melancholy, a sense of keeping one’s emotions under control – a typically English trait.

Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
Far from being a typical English musician, Delius was born in Bradford before moving to Florida, Germany and France, all of which helped him develop his unique musical language, which, despite its cosmopolitan character, often recalled English scenes.

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Some clever person once wrote scornfully about the dreariness of the so-called “cowpat” school of English music, but Vaughan Williams always knew how to make us smile and sigh with folk music. He was an avid collector of English folk music and songs, which both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnalin which he incorporated many folk song arrangements as hymn melodies as well as several of his own compositions.

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Known for his orchestral suite The planetsHolst also composed a large number of other works in a variety of genres. His distinctive style was the product of many influences, including Wagner and Richard Strauss, English folk songs, Indian mysticism, and the orchestral color of Maurice Ravel.

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
The central figure of 20th century English music with a wide range of works including operas, other vocal music, orchestral and chamber music. Britten’s best known works include the opera Peter Grimesthe War Requiem and the orchestral showpiece, The orchestra guide for young people, which was based on a theme by Purcell.

John Tavener (1944–2013)
Unusually for a 20th century composer, Tavener’s music was heavily concerned with religious themes – and not Anglican ones at that. Tavener became one of the best known and most popular composers of his generation, especially through the best-selling cello piece The protective veiland the movement Song for Athena which was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.