Lutyens 100

[Elisabeth Lutyens]

2006 marks the birth centenary of Elisabeth Lutyens, arguably the most far-sighted of 20th century British composers.

Lutyens occupies a unique place in British music history. Throughout her career and almost single-handedly, her prolific yet uncompromising work reconnected the parochial British musical establishment with the aesthetic and theoretical developments of the European avant-garde. Although in her later years she was championed by the BBC, her music continued to divide critical and popular opinion, and she was both applauded and castigated in equal measure throughout her life.

Ever one to fly in the face of her critics, Lutyens was an artist with a fanatical sense of professionalism and integrity. She was also an inspiring, generous and challenging teacher, whose commitment to her students was legendary. Whilst never losing sight of the deep expressive potential of her art, she relentlessly refined her technical command, and that of her students, with Webernian fervour. Unmoved by the modish patterns of public success and rebuttal, Lutyens was steadfast in her belief that the music itself would transcend politics. Indeed, through her tenacity a remarkable legacy exists, numbering over 150 works.

Lutyens' work deserves to be heard and appreciated again. UYMP is encouraging as many tributes and retrospectives of her work as possible in 2006 and beyond. We hope that ensembles and festivals in the UK and Europe will take up the task of celebrating the music of this outstanding woman. UYMP holds Lutyens' entire Olivan catalogue. Contact Philip Venables, Promotions Manager, for more information.

A selection of Lutyens