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Keith Amos (b. 1939)
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
Born in 1939, Keith Amos graduated
from the Royal Academy of Music in 1960. He spent the early
part of his career in the world of commercial music, composing,
arranging, orchestrating and conducting music of all types for
and with all sorts of performers. Then in the 1970s he gradually
concentrated on the composition of serious music. He spent a
considerable period specialising in wind music, during which
time he conducted and composed for his own group; one which
grew from a chamber ensemble to a full concert band. This is
reflected in his compositions, which include music for every
combination of wind and brass instruments, in addition to string
chamber music and symphonic works. In 1992, he wrote The Steadfast
Tin Soldier - originally for narrator and piano. The story was
adapted by Richard Baker from the well-known fairy-tale by Hans
Christian Andersen. This was first performed by Richard Baker
and pianist Nicola Meecham at the Danish Embassy on 1st December,
1993. The first performance of the orchestral version was given
by Yan Pascal Tortelier and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra,
again with Richard Baker, on 19th December 1993. This premiere
was recorded, and broadcast by BBC Radio on Boxing Day, just
a week later. Since then, the work has achieved considerable
success, with many performances, and further versions have been
arranged for school orchestra and wind band. We are delighted
to be giving the first performance of The Steadfast Tin Soldier
in Nottingham tonight. |
