Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji
Self-taught composer, critic and pianist Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji was born in Chingford, England of a Parsi father and an English mother on 14 August 1892. He was a close friend and confidant of the English composer Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock).
Preferring silence to bad performances, Sorabji took the unusual step of prohibiting unauthorised public performances of his works, which include symphonies, organ symphonies, piano concertos, and much other piano music including the monumental Opus Clavicembalisticum (1929-30), a work which takes nearly five hours to perform.
Before Sorabji's death on 15 October 1988, aged ninety-six, his music began to receive performances from Yonty Solomon, John Ogdon and other top-rank musicians. The Sorabji Archive (curator Alistair Hinton) has encouraged new editions from performers and scholars, and a series of CD recordings has been made.
Further information: The Sorabji Archive
A selection of articles about Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji
CD Spotlight. Dance Music - Lowell Liebermann's ballet 'Frankenstein', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... an electrifying aura ...'
CD Spotlight. Transcendental Studies - The music of English composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji from an Italian perspective, by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'On the two CDs, Fredrik Ullén demonstrates enthusiasm for Sorabji as well as high technical skills.'
Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton
The Composer's Conundrum? - Alistair Hinton comments on Gordon Rumson's recent article
Record Box. A Theoretician's Knowledge - Andrew Violette's Sonata for unaccompanied violin, reviewed by Howard Smith
CD Spotlight. A Thrilling Experience - Kevin Bowyer plays Alkan, reviewed by Alistair Hinton. '... flawless technique and missionary commitment ...'
Interval Talk - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'
Appropriate Temperament - Gordon Rumson replies to Patric Standford's article on keys and the decline of tonality
Class actions? - Alistair Hinton replies to Patric Standford's latest on 'Class acts'
CD Spotlight. Radiant, supernatural beauty - In a special multimedia presentation, Gordon Rumson talks about Alistair Hinton's String Quintet
Transcending virtuosity - Alistair Hinton comments on points made in Gordon Rumson's recent Chopin review
The specious origins of originality - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'