Howard Blake [1938 - ? ]

[Scion7]

English composer born in London in 1938.
He was Executive Director of the PRS (1978–87), was co-founder in 1980 of the Association of Professional Composers, and was awarded an OBE in 1994.
Basically a conservative neo-Romantic, his work is accessible and well thought-out, if not world shaking fare.
Music from The Snowman (1982) for narrator, boy soprano and orchestra first achieved enormous popularity through its use in a short animated film (1982) of the same name. Blake has written extensively for film and television.

Selective serious works list:

Chamber                                                                 Orchestral
=========================                    ====================
Sonata for Oboe & String Quartet, 1971                        Clarinet Concerto, Op.329a (1984, rev. 2011)
String Trio, 1975                                                       Bassoon Concerto, Op.607, 2009
Serenade, wind octet, 1990                                         Flute Concerto, Op.493a, 1996
Dirge for Fidele, for Clarinet & String Quartet, 1987        A Month in the Country, for Strings, 1989–92
Leda and the Swan, String Quartet, 1977                      Toccata, 1976 rev. 1988
Reflections for Piano Quartet, 1974                              Symphony in One Movement 'Impressions of a City' 1967
The Up and Down Man (suite), 1974                            The Conquest of Space, concert overture,  1988
Violin Sonata, 1973                                                    Violin Concerto 'The Leeds'  1992
Trio for Flute, Cello & Harp                                          Piano Concerto, 1990
Flute Quintet                                                             Sinfonietta, 1981
Penillion for Flute & Harp                                             Diversions, in Eight Movements for Cello & Orchestra

Solo Pieces
==============================================
Prelude, for Viola,  1979
8 Character Pieces for Piano,  1976
Prelude, Sarabande & Gigue, for guitar,  1995
Prelude for Cello, 1979
Lifecycle, 24 Pieces for Piano

choral work -  Benedictus oratorio, 1979

[Scion7]

Can't say the Violin Concerto is a favorite, but I like his chamber music and pieces for wind instruments. The Sinfonietta is alright. Haven't heard the Piano Concerto.

[kyjo]

I recently discovered Blake's Violin Concerto The Leeds (recorded by ASV), and was particularly moved by its gorgeous slow movement, which possesses a lyrical and emotional gift reminiscent of Finzi (with more than a touch of high-quality film music along the way):

https://youtu.be/u2RNmyNnt3o

The whole concerto is certainly worth hearing, even if the 20-minute first movement is rather too long for its material.

[calyptorhynchus]

I think "The Conquest of Space" overture might have been a bit premature.