Michael Garrett (composer)

Michael Garrett (17 June 1944–23 August 2023) was a British composer, born in Leicestershire. He was active in composing and performing for more than fifty years. His many works extend across a wide range of styles. Career He wrote many symphonic, chamber and instrumental works as well as vocal music and wrote extensively for the piano. During the 1960s his early compositions incorporated experiments with serial techniques; and in the years since then composed music in a more melodic vein. He began studying the piano and composing in 1956 and studied at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London where he won a scholarship to study with Edmund Rubbra (1961–1964). He also studied piano with Frank Merrick who was himself a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky. He composed music for two Ken Russell films Women in Love (1969) and Savage Messiah (1972). He worked as composer and pianist in the theatre, gave piano recitals of jazz and experimental music, and also composed a jingle for the Scottish Gas Board. He gave the first performances in the UK of John Cage’s “Concert for Piano and Orchestra”, which was conducted by John Cale before he moved to the US and joined The Velvet Underground wi