Baker, Michael Conway

Baker, Michael Conway, American-born Canadian composer; b. West Palm Beach, Fla., March 13, 1937. He moved to Canada in 1958 and beca me a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1972. He studied at the London (Ontario) Coll. of Music (assoc. degree, 1959), with Jean Coulthard and Elliot Weisgarber at the Univ. of British Columbia (B.M., 1966), at Western Washington Univ. (M.A., 1971), and with Sir Lennox Berkeley in London (1974–75). From 1980 to 1995 he was a part-time teacher of film music at the Univ. of British Columbia. In 1998 he was awarded the Order of British Columbia. In addition to his many concert works, he has composed over 180 film, television, and music video scores.

Works

DRAMATIC: Ballet: The Letter (1974). music theater:Washington Square (1978). ORCH.: Counterplay for Viola and Strings (1971; also for Viola and Piano); Okanagan Landscapes for Piano and Orch. (1972); Contours for Double Bass, Harpsichord, and Strings (1973); A Gabriel Fauré: In Memoriam (1973); Concerto for Flute and Strings (1974); Point No Point for Viola and String Orch. (1975); Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orch. (1976); Duo Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Strings (1976); A Struggle for Dominion for Piano and Orch. (1976); 2 syms. (1977, 1993); Baroque Diversions for Chamber Orch. (1981); Evocations for Flute, String Trio, and Orch. (1981); Rita Joe, tone poem (1983); Chanson joyeuse (1987); Through the Lion’s Gate (1989); The Colours of Space for Horn and Orch. (1991); A Theme for Dennis for Piano and Strings (1992); The Flight of Aphrodite for Violin and Orch. (1993); Celebration Canada (1993); Cinderella: Frozen in Time (1993); Summit Concerto for Trumpet and Orch. (1994); Vancouver Variations for Oboe and Chamber Orch. (1995); Horizons: The Orca Bay Theme (1995); Farewell Diana for Chamber Orch. (1997); Harp Concerto (2000). CHAMBER: Ballade for Cello and Piano (1961); Flute Sonata (1963); 5 Epigrams for Woodwind Trio (1965); Wind Quintet (1965); Piano Quartet (1966); Scherzo for Trumpet and Organ (1967); String Quartet (1969); Concert Piece for Organ, Piano, and Timpani (1969–70); Piano Trio (1972); Elegy for Flute and Organ (1972); Music for 6 Players for Flute, Oboe, Harpsichord, and String Trio (1973); Combinations for Double Bass and Harpsichord (1974); En rapport for 2 Guitars (1974); 4 Views from a Nursery Tune for Violin, Horn, and Piano (1975); Dance Sequences for Cello (1975); Mirage for Trumpet, Horn, and Organ (1981); Red on White for Flute and String Trio (1981); Duo for Flute and Bassoon (1981); Intermezzo for Flute and Harp (1988); Generations for Flute and Piano (1990); Eridanus: A Tribute to Malcolm Lowry for 9 Players and Narrator (1993); To Play With Angels for Violin and Cello (1995); Passacaglia for Violin, Viola, and Piano (1996). KEYBOARD: Piano: Capriccio for 2 Pianos (1964); 4 pieces (1973); Sonata (1975); Theme for Jane (1981); Rainforest Suite (1987). Organ: Numerous pieces. VOCAL: Dialogues for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1971); 7 Wonders, song cycle for Voice and Piano (1983); Street Scenes for Men’s Chorus and Piano (1985); Capriccio for Solo Voices, Instruments, and Orch. (1986); Take Each Day Anew for Soprano, Trumpet, and Organ (1992); A Psalm for Our Time for Chorus and Orch. (1996). OTHER: Film, television, and music video scores.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire