Fowler, Jennifer

Fowler, Jennifer, Australian composer; b. Bunbury, Western Australia, April 14, 1939. She studied at the Univ. of Western Australia, graduating in arts (1961) and music (1968). After working at the electronic music studio at the Univ. of Utrecht on a Dutch scholarship (1968–69), she settled in London to pursue her career as a composer. In 1971 she was joint winner of England’s Radcliffe Award. In 1975 she won 1st prize in the International Competition for Women Composers in Mannheim.

Works

ORCH Sculpture in 4 Dimensions (1969); Look on This Oedipus (1973); Chant with Garlands (1974); Ring Out the Changes for Strings and Bells (1978); Plainsong for Strings (1992).

CHAMBER: String Quartet (1967); Ravelation for 2 Violins, Viola, and 2 Cellos (1971); Chimes, Fractured for 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, Organ, Bagpipes, and Percussions (1971); The Arrows of Saint Sebastian II for Bass Clarinet, Cello, and Tape (1981); The Invocation to the Veiled Mysteries for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1982); Line Spun With Stars for Violin or Flute, Cello, and Piano (1982); Echoes from an Antique Land for 5 Percussion Players (1983; also for Flute, Clarinet, Piano, and Bass, 1983, or for 5 or 10 Instruments, 1986); Threaded Stars for Harp (1983); Blow Flute: Answer Echoes in Antique Lands Dying for Flute (1983); Between Silence and the Word for Wind Quintet (1987); Lament for Baroque Oboe and Bass Viol or Cello (1987); We Call to You, Brother for Flute, English Horn, Cello, Percussion, 2 Trombones, and Didjeridoo (1988); Restless Dust for Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1988; also for Cello and Piano); Reeds, Reflections…Ripples Re-sound Resound for Oboe, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1990); Lament for Mr. Henry Purcell for Alto Flute, Viola, Harp or Violin, Clarinet, and Marimba (1995; also for 2 or 3 Instruments, 1996). KEYBOARD: Piano: Piece for an Opera House for 2 Pianos or Piano and Tape or Solo Piano (1973); Music for Piano: Ascending and Descending (1981); Piece for E.L. (1981). VOCAL: Hours of the Day for 4 Mezzosopranos, 2 Oboes, and 2 Clarinets (1968); Veni Sancte Spiritus: Veni Creator for Chamber Chorus or 12 Solo Singers (1971); Voice of the Shades for Soprano, Oboe or Clarinet, and Violin or Flute (1977; also for Soprano, 2 Trumpets, and Oboe or Clarinet, and for Soprano, Clarinet, Oboe, and Violin or Flute); Tell Out, My Soul: Magnificat for Soprano, Cello, and Piano (1980; rev. 1984); When David Heard… for Chorus and Piano (1982); Letter from Haworth for Mezzosoprano, Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1984); And Ever Shall Be, 4 songs for Mezzosoprano and Chamber Ensemble (1989); Australia Sends Greetings to Alaska for Soprano, Alto, and Optional Piano (1992); Let’s Stop Work! for 2 Equal Treble Parts, 3rd Treble Part, and Optional Piano (1992); Singing the Lost Places for Soprano and Large Ensemble or Chamber Orch. (1996); Lament for Dunblane for 2 Sopranos, Tenor, and Bass or Chorus (1996).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire