Wilson, Charles (Mills)
Wilson, Charles (Mills)
Wilson, Charles (Mills), Canadian composer, conductor, and teacher; b. Toronto, May 8, 1931. He studied composition with Ridout at the Royal Cons, of Music of Toronto, and also with Foss (summer, 1950) and Chavez (summer, 1951) at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood. Returning to Toronto, he received his B.Mus. (1952) and later was awarded his D.Mus. (1956). From 1954 to 1964 he was organist-choirmaster at Chalmers United Church in Guelph. He also was founder-conductor of the Guelph Light Opera and Oratorio Co. (1955-74) and conductor of the Bach-Elgar Choir of Hamilton (1962-74). In 1979 he became a teacher at the Univ. of Guelph. In his music, Wilson has adopted many of the prevailing stylistic elements of his era.
Works
dramatic: The Strolling Clerk from Paradise, chamber opera (1952); Ballet Score (1969); Phrases from Orpheus, piece for Chorus and Dancers (1970; Guelph, May 10, 1971); Heloise and Abelard, opera (1972; Toronto, Sept. 8, 1973); The Selfish Giant, children’s opera (1972; Toronto, Dec. 20, 1973); The Summoning of Everyman, church opera (1972; Halifax, April 6, 1973); Kamouraska, opera (1975); Psycho Red, opera (1977); Tim, radio opera (1990). ORCH.: Sym. (1953); Sonata da chiesa for Oboe and Strings (1960); Theme and Evolutions (1966); Sinfonia for Double Orch. (1972; Toronto, March 3, 1973); Symphonic Perspectives: Kingsmere (Ottawa, Oct. 4, 1974); Conductus for Piano and Orch. (1979). CHAMBER: 4 string quartets (1950, 1968, 1975, 1983); String Trio (1963); Concerto 5 x 4 x 3 for String Quintet or Woodwind Quartet or Brass Trio (1970). VOCAL: On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity, cantata for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1963); The Angels of the Earth, oratorio for Soprano, Baritone, Narrators, Chorus, and Orch. (1966; Guelph, June 19, 1967); En Guise d’Orphée for Baritone and String Orch. (1968); Christo paremus canticam for Chorus and Orch. (Hamilton, Dec. 2, 1973); Image out of Season for Chorus and Brass Quintet (1973); Missa brevis for Chorus and Brass (1975); Song for St. Cecilia’s Day for Soprano, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1976); First Book of Madrigals for Soprano and Instrumental Ensemble (1980); Un Canadien errant for Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Chorus, and Instrumental Ensemble (1981); Invocation for 8 Solo Voices and Tape (1982); 2 Voices for Mezzo-soprano, Clarinet, Cello, Piano, 2 Percussion, and Tape (1983); The Revelation to St. John for 3 Choruses, 3 Conductors, and Organ (1984); solo songs. OTHER: Tape pieces.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire