Barry Stronge Biography

Apart from some early piano lessons, I have had no formal music education. When a schoolboy, I saw a second-hand bassoon for sale and persuaded my parents to buy it for me. I taught myself to play from a tutor book thrown in with the deal and by listening to recordings by professional bassoonists.

I play in several amateur orchestras and wind ensembles. When one of our wind quintets lost its horn player, and we found the available literature for quartet limited, I began to compose to meet the necessity. Favourable reception of my music, by my player friends and in public concerts, encouraged me both to continue writing and to broaden the instrumental scope.

Now semi-retired (I am a self-employed interpreter by profession) I have more time to devote to composition. I have taken advantage of developments in home computer technology which are today providing composers with the necessary tools to write for all combinations of instruments, to play back the results and to publish them on the internet. My compositions may be viewed and heard at www.sibeliusmusic.com.

Although all music, traditional and modern, interests me, I write chiefly in those styles I am most familiar with as a player in amateur orchestras – the Classical and Romantic. My greatest satisfaction is to hear my wife humming my tunes.

I was recently challenged to write an overture in the style of Rossini. ‘Overture to a Lost Opera’ is the result, although it is more a mixture of Rossini, Mozart, Weber and Smetana. Alas, it is only when we try to imitate the great that we discover how inimitable they really are. Nevertheless, I hope it gives pleasure, which is all my intention.

B.S.