John Rose
John Rose was born in London of Dutch parents. He was educated at the Diocesan College, Cape Town, where two of his works were performed by the C.T. Municipal Orchestra. Following this, he studied at the RAM, and at Oxford under Edmund Rubbra. His teaching career has been mainly in adult education, as founder of the St. Alban’s Chamber Choir, as lecturer in F.E., Glasgow, and at various times, as lecturer for extra-mural departments.
Formative experiences in Cape Town and at Oxford contributed to the subsequent composition of three substantial works on Latin texts, and two organ works. The organ works have their roots in the Netherlands North German tradition of organ music, and have been recorded by Kevin Bowyer.
Two string quartets followed, the first having links with the earlier Essay on DSCH for piano and the organ works. The quartets, with piano works, were issued on the Metier label in 2010 (Edinburgh Quartet and Robert Melling). A linear approach to composition is affirmed in the Two Preludes and Three Fugues for piano.
From 1996 song-writing marked a change of direction. This comprises, apart from Scots and English songs, settings of ancient Chinese poetry from the Book of Odes (1027-476 BC) and from poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), in particular Li Po (701-762).
