Andrew March Explained

Andrew March is an English composer (born 1973).^[1] He was the winner of the first-ever Masterprize Composition Competition^[2] with his piece Marine — à travers les arbres.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} Andrew studied composition at the Royal College of Music with Jeremy Dale Roberts, graduating in 1996.^{[7] [8]}

His compositions have received critical acclaim and have been recorded and performed by some of the world's most famous orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra^[9] and the BBC Philharmonic.^[10]

Career

March was the 1996 Royal Philharmonic Society Composition prize winner.^[11] In 1997, his symphonic poem Easdale was included on the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM) shortlist.^[12]

Marine—à travers les arbres^[13] was featured at 1998's Proms,^[14] with the EUYO conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy.

His composition "A Stirring in the Heavenlies", a commission awarded as a prize by The Musician's Company in 1998,^[15] was recorded by the Kyiv Philharmonic under composer/conductor Robert Ian Winstin for the 12–CD series "Masterworks of the New Era".^{[16] [17]}

Sanguis Venenatus (2009) was an elegy written by March in memory of Haemophiliacs affected by the Tainted Blood Scandal. It was recorded by the Moravian Philharmonic with conductor Petr Vronský.^{[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]}

Awards

• 1990 Flame of Youth Fanfare Competition (British Gas West Midlands)^[24]
• 1993 English Song Prize ^[25]
• 1994 United Music Publishers' Prize
• 1995 Cobbett & Hurlstone Prize
• 1995 The Philip Morris Art Award (The Haemophilia Society)^[26]
• 1996 Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize
• 1996 Constant and Kit Lambert Award – (Musicians' Livery)^[27]
• 1998 Masterprize International Composing Competition^[28]
• 1998 Worshipful Company of Musicians Quincentenary Commission (Musicians' Livery)
• 2004 International Composition Competition to Honour the Greek Poet, Pindar^[29]

Selected works

^{[30] [31]}

Orchestral

• Easdale (1996)^{[32] [33]}
• Marine—à travers les arbres (1997)
• Irish Reel (2000)^[34]
• A Stirring in the Heavenlies (2000), commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Musicians
• Five Songs of Pindar (2003) for soprano, choir and orchestra^[35]
• Sanguis Venenatus (2009) for string orchestra, written in memory of haemophiliacs and others who lost their lives as a result of the Tainted Blood Scandal
• Cellular Automata Orchestral Suite (2009–13)

Gosper′s Glider Gun

The Infinite Hotel

Cloverleaf Period–4 Oscillator

Babbling Brook

Pond on Pond

• Amoration (2016) for piano and strings^[36]
• Piano Concerto No. 1 (2013–19)
• The Skylark (2021) for full orchestra and SSAA voices. Text: John Clare

Ensemble

• Flame of Youth Fanfare (1990) for brass ensemble of 12 players
• Nymphéas (1995) for 8 players
• Ten Little Pieces (1995) for 8 players
• Music for Film Credits (1996) for 9 players
• Adagio Assonnato (2000) for oboe, harp, strings
• Nymphéas for Clarinet Choir (2016)
• Elegy on Sudden Loss (2021) for string orchestra^[37]

Chamber and instrumental

• La Maison Blanche dans les Collines (1986) for string quartet
• Cornelyn (1986) for piano and strings
• Images of the Lake (1987) for solo flute
• Transient Moods (1992) for guitar solo
• Nymphèas for Two Pianos (2001), revised (2019)^[38]
• Alto Flute and Harp Book (2001)^[39]

Water Lilies with Kingma System quarter–tone alto flute ossia

XXIX—in perpetuum for solo Kingma System quarter–tone alto flute

Adagio Assonnato

Aeolian Rustling with Kingma System quarter–tone alto flute ossia

Dragonfly

• In Memoriam (2002) for Kingma System quarter–tone alto flute, marimba, vibraphone, harp and strings
• Equipoise (2005) for bass clarinet and piano
• String Quartet Cycle "Birds of Prey' (2009)
• Irish Reel—Piano Transcription (2009) for piano solo
• Phoenix Trail (2010) for violin and piano
• Three Pieces for Solo Cello (2011)^[40]
• Solo Piano Album "14 pieces" (2014)
• Ephemeral Nymphs (2015) for cello and piano^[41]
• Dragonfly (2016) for flute, viola and harp^[42]
• Spring Tide Arabesque (2016) for bass clarinet duo
• Nightwind (2016) for flute, violin and cello
• Dragonfly (2017) for clarinet, bass clarinet and piano
• Seven Pieces (2017) for bass clarinet and piano^[43]
• Two Pieces (2017) for bass clarinet duo
• Pieces for Alto Saxophone and Piano (2019–2020)

Moonrise at Perigee (2019)

Nightshade (2020)

Romance (2020)

• Solitude (2020) for alto saxophone^{[44] [45]}

Songs

• Boy in Ice (1992) for mezzo–soprano and piano. Text: Laurie Lee
• Invasion Summer (1993) for mezzo–soprano and 6 players. Text: Laurie Lee
• Black Edge (1993) for mezzo–soprano and 8 players. Text: Laurie Lee
• Poem I from "Chamber Music" (1996) for soprano and harp. Text: James Joyce
• Un Grand Sommeil Noir (2008) for baritone and piano. Text: Paul Verlaine
• Two Lovers (2009) for baritone and piano. Text: George Eliot

Choral

• Be Still and Know (2000)
• O Sing Unto the Lord (2000)
• The Grace (2003)
• Magnificat (2004)
• Spiritus (2004)
• Thou Art Worthy (2004)^[46]
• Nunc Dimittis "The Song of Simeon" (2004)^[47]
• Phos Hilaron "Song of the Light" (2004)^[48]
• Marian Antiphon No.3 "Regina Caeli" (2005)^[49]
• Marian Antiphon No.2 "Ave Regina Coelorum" (2005)^[50]
• 25 Choral Collects (2006); Text: Common Worship, Additional Collects
• May We Who Share His Table (2006)
• The Baptism of Christ (2006)^[51]
• Almighty God, you search us and you know us (2006)^[52]
• Creator of the Heavens "Choral Collect for Epiphany" (2006) Text: Common Worship, Additional Collects^[53]
• Psalm 57 (2007)
  • Somnia (2007) Text: Petronius Arbiter; Translation: Helen Waddell How Long, O Lord? (2008)
• My Voice is Unto God (2008), with organ accompaniment
• May We Who Share His Table (2009) for SSA choir with piano accompaniment
• And It Shall Be (2010)
• De Profundis (2011), for SAATBB choir
• Spera in Domino "Psalm 36" (2012)^[54]
• Dixit Iniustus "Psalm 35" (2012)
• Dies Quoque "Day of Narrow Anguish" (2012)
• Ante Faciem Dei (2015)^[55]
• Your Eyes Fall Upon Us "Anthem for Remembrance" (2015); Text (adaptation): Sue Threakall^[56]
• Laudate Dominum (2015)
• Psalm 22 (2015) for SSATB choir
• Your Mercy, O Lord (2016) for SSAA choir with piano accompaniment
• Our God at Hand (2019)
• Lament (2021) for SSAATTBB choir

Discography

• 1998 – Top of the World, Marine – à travers les arbres, London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Daniel Harding (March 1998, BBC Music Magazine: BBC MM67)^[57]
• 1998 – Masterprize Finalists, Marine – à travers les arbres, London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Daniel Harding (4 September 1998, EMI Debut Series: CDZ572826-2)^[58]
• 2005 – Masterworks of the New Era – Volume Seven, A Stirring in the Heavenlies, Kiev Philharmonic, cond. Robert Ian Winstin (28 November 2005, ERM Media: ERM-6709)^[59]
• 2007 – Masterworks of the New Era – Volume Eleven, Nymphéas, Kiev Philharmonic, cond. Robert Ian Winstin (1 September 2007, ERM Media: ERM-6811)^[60]
• 2007 – Regina Caeli, Nunc Dimittis; Magnificat; Be Still and Know; Spiritus etc., The Chapel Choir of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, cond. Daniel Soper; Rebecca Drake, (26 October 2007, Lammas Records: LAMM188D)^{[61] [62]}
• 2012 – Dimensions, Sanguis Venenatus, Moravian Philharmonic Strings, cond. Petr Vronský (13 November 2012, Navona Records: NV5895)^[63]
• 2013 – Moto Perpetuo, Three Pieces for Solo Cello, Ovidiu Marinescu (26 March 2013, Navona Records: NV5901)^[64]
• 2014 – As if to sleep, Elveden; Nosce Te Ipsum; Moonvine; Pavane; Homage; Night Vigil; Solus etc., pf. Andrew March (29 January 2014, Assonnato Records: ATO573201)^[65]
• 2016 – Amoration, F.A.M.E.'S. Macedonian Radio Symphonic Orchestra, cond. Oleg Kondratenko; pf. Marija Vrskova (18 March 2016, Assonnato Records: ATO573202)^{[66] [67]}
• 2022 – Elegy on Sudden Loss (video), OpenSound Orchestra, cond. Stanislav Malyshev; (22 February 2022, Assonnato Records: ATO573203).^{[68] [69]}

External links

• Biography, Wise Music Classical
• Da Vinci Edition
• British Music Collection (BMIC)
• Soundcloud
• Musicalics, The Classical Composers Database
• YouTube, (Sanguis Venenatus)
• British Library (Sound & Moving Image Catalogue)
• Alliance Publications, Inc.
• St. James Music Press (SJMP), North Carolina
• Andrew March - Navona Records
• RCM Library Catalogue

Notes and References

1. Web site: andrewmarch.com official website of Andrew March. andrewmarch.com.
2. Web site: Austin. Sara. Masterprize International Composition Competition. University of Rochester. FORUM OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INSTITUTE.
3. News: This Week In London, The. 11 April 1998. NPR. en. 21 March 2022.
4. News: BBC News EUROPE British composer wins Masterprize competition. 7 April 1998. news.bbc.co.uk. 21 March 2022.
5. Web site: What about a decent waltz?. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118211736/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4713138/What-about-a-decent-waltz.html. dead. 18 January 2017. The Telegraph. 10 April 1998.
6. Web site: Music: Masters of the ceremony. https://web.archive.org/web/20170303053917/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/music-masters-of-the-ceremony-1155269.html . 2017-03-03 . limited . live. The Independent. 9 April 1998.
7. Anderson . Martin . July 1998 . The Masterprize Final . Tempo . Cambridge University Press . 205 . 16–17 . 944752 . 21 March 2022 . For the record, the winner was Andrew March, a bashful 23-year-old, ex-RCM....
8. Web site: Composer Andrew March . . navonarecords.com . Navona Records . 21 March 2022 . In 1992, he was accepted at the Royal College of Music to study composition with Jeremy Dale Roberts. He graduated in 1996,....
9. Web site: Jeal. Erica. Classical review: LSO/Hickox/Vogt. The Guardian. 21 December 2000.
10. Web site: Rees . Carla . 2001 . Music Sales Classical – Long Biography . 19 October 2024 . musicsalesclassical.com . The work has been recorded by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for the European Broadcasting Union....
11. Web site: Past Recipients . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819210919/https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/rps-composers-programme/past-recipients-2000-to-date/past-comp-prize-48-99 . 19 August 2022 . 1 May 2023 . Royal Philharmonic Society . en.
12. Web site: Easdale British Music Collection . 2024-10-19 . britishmusiccollection.org.uk . Additional Information: spnm shortlist 1997..
13. Web site: Prom 63, 1998. EUYO under Vladimir Ashkenazy. YouTube. 17 October 2011 .
14. Web site: Prom 63. BBC Music Events.
15. Book: Crewdson, Richard . Apollo's Swan and Lyre: Five Hundred Years of the Musicians' Company . 2000 . Boydell & Brewer . 978-0-85115-766-5 . 225 . en . 99054373 . In 1998, on the initiative of Sir Alan Traill, the Company participated in the sponsorship of the international 'Masterprize' competition sponsored by Coutts Bank. The Company's prize was a commission worth £10,000 for a work to be specially written for performance during the Quincentenary year ... In the event the first prize and the Company's prize were awarded to the same finalist, the English composer Andrew March, who is engaged on the new commission as this book goes to press..
16. Web site: Masterworks of the New Era – Volume Seven. Spotify. en. 1 January 2006.
17. Web site: 1 January 2005 . Andrew March – A Stirring in the Heavenlies, for orchestra . https://web.archive.org/web/20160913150637/https://www.classicalarchives.com/work/449306.html . 13 September 2016 . classicalarchives.com.
18. Web site: Thursday – Verity Sharp, Late Junction – BBC Radio 3. BBC.
19. Web site: Sanguis Venenatus – Andrew March & Moravian Philharmonic Strings Song – BBC Music. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802015204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/n3x4nm. dead. 2018-08-02. BBC.
20. Web site: Composers – Alliance Publications, Inc.. apimusic.org. en.
21. Web site: Gramophone – March 2013. reader.exacteditions.com.
22. Web site: Reviews – Todmorden Orchestra. Todmorden Orchestra.
23. Web site: Dimensions – Works for String Orchestra. EClassical.com. Navona Records.
24. Web site: Official website of Andrew March – Awards. andrewmarch.com.
25. Web site: Rees . Carla . 2001 . Wise Music Classical – Biography . 1 May 2023 . musicsalesclassical.com . en.
26. . June 1995 . Society Awards . The Bulletin . 2 . 9 . The Haemophilia Society . 2021-11-18. The Philip Morris Art Award was presented by Kevin Morris to Andrew March, who is in his third year of a BMus degree in Composition at the Royal College of Music London..
27. Derbyshire. . George . September 1998 . A double win for Andrew March . Preserve Harmony – the Newsletter of the Worshipful Company of Musicians . 17 . 2 . December 10, 2019.
28. Pettitt, Stephen. "Taste of Things to Come – New music has no platform than Masterprize.", The Sunday Times, London, 12 April 1998. Retrieved on 19 December 2019.
29. Web site: Hellenikon Idyllion – International Composition Competition. idyllion.eu.
30. Web site: Andrew March – Works. andrewmarch.com. 2020-01-20.
31. Web site: Andrew March – Composition List. musicalics.com. 17 December 2009 . 2019-12-12.
32. Web site: British Music Collection (BMIC). britishmusiccollection.org.uk. 4 April 2009 . 2019-12-23.
33. Web site: March . Andrew . Easdale . 2024-10-19 . entities.oclc.org . 1996 Creation date..
34. Web site: Royal College of Music (RCM) Library Catalogue. rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk. 2019-12-23.
35. Book: Hellenikon Idyllion International Composition Competition . 2004 . Foundation Gaudeamus . 5 . en . sn87022481 . Andrew Michael March 1. Price (sic): Andrew Michael March (UK) - 5 Songs of Pindar for Soprano Solo, Choir und Orchestra..
36. Web site: Most widely held works by Andrew March . worldcat.org. 2019-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20060323063940/http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no00037397/. 2006-03-23.
37. Web site: 30 December 2025 . Playlist Classical KING FM 98.1 - Seattle Washington United States - Raddio.net . 2026-01-04 . player.raddio.net . Elegy on Sudden Loss - Andrew March..
38. Web site: Silver-Garburg . Sivan . Garburg . Gil . Repertoire piano duo FSMM 2025 . assets.muvac.com . 5 . Franz Schubert and Modern Music International Competition . March, Andrew: Nymphéas for Two Pianos (2001) Da Vinci Edition..
39. MMus . Fether . Doborah C. . 2005 . A Discussion of Contemporary Flute Design and the Issues Surrounding these Developments . Goldsmiths College: University of London.
40. Web site: Hugill. Robert. Moto Perpetuo – Cd review. planethugill.com. 23 September 2013.
41. Web site: Da Vinci Edition. davinci-edition.com. 25 November 2019 . 2020-01-23.
42. Web site: Dragonfly for flute, viola and harp . 2020-01-04 . Library Link Network . Brigham Young University (BYU).
43. Web site: Seven Pieces . 2024-10-06 . bassclarinet.ecwid.com . ALEA1176.
44. Web site: Solitude : for alto saxophone / Andrew March . 18 June 2025 . rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk . Royal College of Music Library.
45. Web site: Solitude for alto saxophone . 2025-06-18 . webopac.bibliothek.hmtm.de . Munich . Hochschule für Musik und Theater.
46. Web site: 2016 . Thou Art Worthy . 2024-10-06 . catalog.loc.gov.
47. Web site: March, Andrew (1973) . 2024-10-06 . trove.nla.gov.au . Trove.
48. Book: Phos Hilaron = Song of the Light WorldCat.org . 1114017839 . en . Lammas Records, York, ℗2005.
49. Web site: 2013 . Marian antiphon, no. 3 . 6 October 2024 . id.oclc.org . Worldcat Entities .
50. Web site: 19 August 2024 . Ave Regina Coelorum . 2024-10-06 . catalog.loc.gov.
51. Web site: RSCM Library . 2025-06-25 . archive.rscm.org.uk.
52. Web site: Almighty God, you search us and you know us . 2025-06-25 . archive.rscm.org.uk . RSCM Library.
53. Web site: Sunday by Sunday Collection Collection II – Choral Music for the Sunday Eucharist. boosey.com. 2019-12-30.
54. Web site: 2012 . Spera in Domino . 2024-10-06 . catalog.loc.gov.
55. Web site: Fred Bock Catalog Number AP-10676. fredbock.com. 2021-05-08.
56. Web site: 28 October 2023 . A service of thanksgiving and remembrance . 3 April 2024 . botolph.org.uk . St Botolph without Bishopsgate . Your Eyes Fall Upon Us (Anthem for Remembrance)..
57. Book: Top of the World. 696442504.
58. Book: Masterprize. 41408903.
59. Web site: Masterworks of the New Era – Volume Seven. rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk. 2019-12-28.
60. Book: Masterworks of the New Era – Volume Eleven. 299065528.
61. Book: Regina Caeli. 2013629051.
62. Web site: Regina Caeli. musicweb-international.com. 2019-12-28.
63. Book: Dimensions – Works for String Orchestra. 1114084658.
64. Web site: Moto Perpetuo. navonarecords.com. 2019-12-27.
65. Web site: As If To Sleep. rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk. 2019-12-27.
66. Web site: Amoration. musicbrainz.org. 2019-12-27.
67. Book: Amoration. 1114089500.
68. Web site: Elegy on Sudden Loss . . 21 March 2022 . isrcsearch.ifpi.org . ISRC Search . 26 March 2022.
69. Web site: Elegy on Sudden Loss . 2024-10-09 . hearnow.com . en . ...and recorded by OrchestraScoring with the OpenSoundOrchestra under Stanislav Malyshev on 22 February 2022..