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John Alexander was born in West Sussex in 1942 and began to compose at the age of 20. At the time he discovered a fascination for art, literature, dance, architecture and sculpture and these topics, along with mathematics, have continued to have a bearing on his work. He studied composition with Edmund Rubbra at the Guildhall School of Music in London, and later with Jonathan Harvey and Peter Wiegold at the University of Sussex.
John Alexander has never been a prolific composer, but an impressive and growing body of work reflects a rare eye for detail and structure – each work beautifully crafted and reworked until every inflection, detail and nuance is perfect. Probably best described as a miniaturist, he writes in a fluent, independent and strongly personal style with an intense desire to create music which communicates to both performer and audience alike.
In 1999 John Alexander won the 1st BIBF Composition Contest and was invited to be a judge for several BIBF competitions. He was a featured composer at Bass-Fest 2001, was an spnm short-listed composer for three years, and was Composer-in- residence at the 2004 Rotterdam Conservatoire Double Bass Weekend, Bass-Fest 2006 and 2007 Wells Double Bass Weekend. His works have been performed and broadcast throughout the world and he has written an impressive and unique body of work for double bass.
Lots of Edges Called Perhaps is a modern but instantly accessible and engaging extended piece for the intermediate bassist. A rich palette of colours is…
Lots of Edges Called Perhaps is a modern but instantly accessible and engaging extended piece for the intermediate bassist. A rich palette of colours is explored, emphasising the lyrical and sonorous qualities of the double bass, partnered with a strongly independent and vibrant accompaniment which both supports and drives the music to a slow and ambiguous conclusion.
Can we be definite about anything? As the poet Mary Oliver says, there is ‘almost nothing you can call Certainty’. When I think about it, there are a number of entities and circumstances that have ‘Perhaps’ attached to them. I do not know how many times a piece might be performed or if it will be well received or if I will continue to appreciate it. How do I know what anyone actually feels or thinks about anything?
How long or how deep or how wide and what shape and colour are those Edges we come across when confronted by every type of emotional, physical, environmental, or imagined Perhaps? How long will the walk take; what might I hear, experience, see? What could happen if we start a publishing company…?
[John Alexander March 2024]
