Seamus Heaney composer dies, aged 96
RIPThe death has been made known of Raymond Warren, composer in residence at the Ulster Orchestra and professor at Queens University Belfast, 1966-72. During those years he befriended a fellow-teacher Seamus Heaney creating an instrumental setting for the recitation of his poems.
With the outbreak of sectarian violence Warren left Belfast, becoming Professor of Music at the University of Bristol, from 1972 until his retirement in 1994.
He composed six operas, three symphonies, four oratorios, and much else.
Here are some works by Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWM3pkCca88
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlSyWjKQFtc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcZR2hebHVc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8od-FJuA2hM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=479nek7AGqA
It’s implied in this article that Warren left Northern Ireland because of the Troubles. This is inaccurate, he left Belfast with great reluctance for family reasons. On arrival in Bristol his first major new work, Madrigals in Time of War, bore witness to his experiences of conflict in Belfast and many of his later works continued to be concerned with suffering and grief. The descent of Northern Ireland into violence left an indelible mark on him and his music.