Stephen Dodgson

British composer Stephen Dodgson was born in London on 17 March 1924. After wartime service in the Royal Navy, he studied composition privately with Bernard Stevens, studied at London's Royal College of Music, winning the 1948 Cobbett Memorial Prize for his Fantasy String Quartet, and also studied with Patrick Hadley.

A travelling scholarship enabled him to visit Italy, and then he taught in various schools and colleges (including music theory and composition at the Royal College of Music). He was a regular broadcaster for BBC Radio, and was also chairman of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, writing several pieces for the group.

Stephen Dodgson. Photo © 2001 Keith Bramich
Stephen Dodgson. Photo © 2001 Keith Bramich

Known best for his guitar music, he also wrote piano sonatas, works for ensemble, several concertos, lots of chamber music and the opera Margaret Catchpole.

Until his death on 13 April 2013, aged eighty-nine, Dodgson was the closest living relative to Lewis Carroll (also known as Charles Dodgson) with the Dodgson surname.

 

A selection of articles about Stephen Dodgson

Ensemble. A Deep Impression - Less well-known music for oboe and piano played by James Turnbull and Libby Burgess, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Fantastic Collection - Little-known harpsichord gems, strongly recommended by Alice McVeigh. '... succeeds utterly, as does the immaculately sensitive [Penelope] Cave.'

CD Spotlight. Modest Performances - A guitar recital by Stephen Reck, heard by Patric Standford. '... a competent and varied presentation ...'

Ensemble. Engaging and colourful - Bernard Roberts plays music by Stephen Dodgson, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble - Styles of our time - Malcolm Miller at the world première of Stephen Dodgson's Trio No 3