University of York Music Press

Saxton writes:

"An aspect of the commission was the request that it be based on music by Gibbons who, although born in Oxford, was a chorister at King's College, Cambridge at the end of the sixteenth century.

"I chose one of Gibbons' keyboard preludes as the source and, in order to practise writing for brass band, scored this 'neat', before proceeding to compose the remainder of the music to lead towards the beautiful Gibbons piece as the finale."

The piece consists of five short movements, Praeludium, Toccata, Passacaglia, Dance and Postludium, which are played without breaks.

The British Composer Awards are presented by BASCA and sponsored by PRS for Music.

There are 36 shortlisted works across 12 categories, including Sonic Art, Liturgical and Stage Works, all which highlight "the diversity and innovation that defines today's musical landscape" (BASCA).

The 2015 British Composer Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 9th December at BFI Southbank in London.

BBC Radio 3 will broadcast a programme dedicated to the ceremony on 'Hear and Now' at 10pm on Saturday 12th December.

Robert Saxton began composing at the age of 6. After early advice from Benjamin Britten, he studied with Elisabeth Lutyens from 1970-4 and at Cambridge from 1972-5, where he received composition tuition from Robin Holloway.

In 1975, Saxton was awarded 1st Prize at the Gaudeamus International Composition Competition in Holland and was the recipient of the Fulbright Arts Award 1985-6.

Click here to view Robert Saxton's full biography and catalogue.