Martland, Steve
Martland, Steve
Martland, Steve, English composer; b. Liverpool, Oct. 10, 1958. After graduating from the Univ. of Liverpool (1981), he studied composition with Louis Andriessen at the Royal Cons, of Music at The Hague (1982–85) and with Schuller at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood (summer, 1984). He was active with his own Steve Martland Band, finding inspiration in the world of pop and rock music in pursuit of his own fiercely independent course as a serious composer.
Works
dramatic:Ghost Story, incidental music to a television play (1989); The Task, incidental music (1989); Home, Away from Home, incidental music to a television play (1989); Cult, soundtrack to a dance-theater piece for television (1990). orch.: Lotta continua for Jazz Band and Orch. (1981; rev. 1984); Babi Yar (1983; Liverpool, Nov. 22, 1985); Orc for Horn and Small Orch. (1984; Amsterdam, Jan. 14, 1985); Dividing the Lines for Brass Band (1986); Crossing the Broder for Strings (1990–91; also for String Quartet and Tape). chamber: Remembering Lennon for 7 Players (1981; rev. 1985); Duo for Trumpet and Piano (1982); American Invention for 13 Players (Aldeburgh, June 10, 1985); Shoulder to Shoulder for 13 Players (Amsterdam, Dec. 9, 1986); Remix for Jazz Ensemble (Amsterdam, Nov. 6, 1986); Big Mac I for 4 Players (The Hague, May 27, 1987) and II for 8 Players (1987); Principia for Jazz Ensemble (1989; Leeds, March 7, 1990); Wolf-gang, arrangements of 6 Mozart arias for Wind Octet (1991); Crossing the Border for String Quartet and Tape (1991; also for String Orch.); Patrol for String Quartet (1992); Bach Toccata and Fugue BWV565, arrangement for String Quartet (1992). piano:Kgakala (1982); Drill for 2 Pianos (1987; Rotterdam, Jan. 14, 1988); Birthday Hocket for 2 Pianos (Amsterdam, June 6, 1989). vocal:Canto a la Esperanza for Soprano, Electric Guitar, and Chamber Orch. (1982); El Pueblo unido James Sera Vencido for Voices and 13 Players (1987); Glad Day for Voices and 12 Players (1988); Skywalk for 5 Voices or Chorus (1989); Terra Firma for 5 Voices, Amplification, and Video (1989); The Perfect Act for Voice and Amplified Ensemble (1991). other:Divisions for Tape (1986–87); Albion, audiovisual piece (BBC-TV, Dec. 18, 1988).
—Niciolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire