The British Composers Thread

[Roy Bland]

Just got to thinking about Carlo Martelli (born 1935). His Symphony was recorded on Dutton in 2011 and it's very good, and a few of his pieces, including film music, are also available. There is a disc of his String Quartets, but it seems to be OOP, and I have ordered a 2nd hand copy.

If you read his Wikipedia page you'll see he suffered a terrible loss of his manuscripts at one point that makes various other composers (Howells, Brian, Madetoja) who lost MSs of single works seem lucky.

However my question was, is he still alive? If so he must be 90! I'd like to write appreciatively to him if I could find an address.

Here seems alives (89)  should not be exchanged with Henri Martelli (french)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Martelli
 

[kyjo]

To be released on 7 November:

Works for chamber orchestra



The only works I know by her are the string quartets and they are incredible pieces. Contemporary music with real purpose.

Agreed about her string quartets! I played No. 2 recently and it's a brilliant work which packs a ton of incident into about 15 minutes. Alberga's infectious, syncopated way of handling rhythm often reflects her Jamaican heritage. There's also plenty of soulful lyricism present in her music, along with an occasional "folksy aggression" a la Bartók or Ginastera. Along with those by Carl Vine and Aaron Jay Kernis, Alberga's are some of the most compelling contemporary SQs I know! Must check out her orchestral music next.

[Symphonic Addict]

A movement from one of her string quartets has as the musical direction 'Swing it man'!

Yes, it is the 1st movement (which is hectic, full of ongoing action) of her 1st SQ.