Geoffrey Hanson

London-based English composer, conductor and organist Geoffrey Hanson was born in Eastbourne on 9 December 1939.

Following studies at Trinity College of Music in London, he was organist of St Mark's, Regent Part in London from 1964 until 1986, moving on to All Saints, East Finchley from 1986, where he founded the annual East Finchley Arts Festival in 1997. The London Mozart Players has given first performances of several of his works at this festival.

In 1962 he founded the London Ripieno Society, a London-based choral society which he still conducts.

His career has taken him to Paris, Italy and the USA as both conductor and recital organist.

In 1964 he became a professor at Trinity College of Music, and from 1970 director of music at the Polytechnic of Central London.

His music includes the two-act operas The Virgin Crown (based on the radio play The Girl who didn't want to be by Frederick Bradnum) and Cuthman's Journey (telling the story of the Sussex shepherd boy who built a church and became a saint), a Requiem, a Te Deum Laudamus, the two-hour Sinfonia Amoris for soloists, chorus, dancers and orchestra and the anti-war work War! Cry War! He has also written flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, piano and organ concerti.

A selection of articles about Geoffrey Hanson

CD Spotlight. A Versatile Composer - Music by Geoffrey Hanson, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'Performances are superb and everyone is a standout.'