Alun Hoddinott

Welsh composer of classical music Alun Hoddinott (1929–2008) was one of the first to receive international recognition. Hoddinott was born in Bargoed, Wales. He was educated at the University College, Cardiff, and later studied privately with Arthur Benjamin. His first major composition, the Clarinet Concerto, was performed at the Cheltenham Music Festival in 1954. This brought Hoddinott a national profile, which was followed by a string of commissions by leading orchestras and soloists. He was championed by some of the most distinguished singers and instrumentalists of the 20th century. These include singers such as Dame Margaret Price, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Sir Thomas Allen, Jill Gomez, and others. Alun Hoddinott's extensive output displays a notable command of various styles, ranging from the traditional to serial and aleatoric techniques. He has achieved a mastery of composition which embraces almost every musical medium - symphonic, chamber and operatic - his style evolving over a long and distinguished career. Alun Hoddinott was also a gifted teacher and, as Professor of Music at University College, Cardiff, was responsible for the expansion of the Department of Music (with a purpose-built building) which became the largest in Europe in the 1980s. Hoddinott taught a number of talented composers during his time at Cardiff, such as John Buckley, Karl Jenkins, and Jeffrey Lewis.