William Wordsworth (composer)

William Brocklesby Wordsworth (17 December 1908 – 10 March 1988) was an English composer. His works, which number over 100, were tonal and romantic in style in the widest sense and include eight symphonies and six string quartets. Life Wordsworth was born in London, the son of a clergyman and a descendant of the poet Wordsworth’s brother. He studied harmony and counterpoint under George Oldroyd at St Michael’s Church, Croydon from 1921 to 1931, continuing his study with Donald Tovey at Edinburgh University from 1934 to 1936. In anticipation of conscientious objection, he was an active member of the Peace Pledge Union, and voluntarily began work on the land in 1939, a role that was later made a condition of exemption from military service by his tribunal. He lived in Hindhead, Surrey until 1961 when he moved to Inverness-shire; in 1966, he helped found the Scottish Composers’ Guild. He also helped form the Society of Scottish Composers. Wordsworth died at Kingussie in Scotland, aged 79. Compositions Wordsworth’s first acknowledged and published piece was the Three Hymn Preludes for organ, Op. 1 of 1932. The following year his Phantasy Sonata for violin and piano, Op. 3, attracted th