Robert Saxton gives young composer masterclass on BBC Radio 3

Robert Saxton was the guest on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Composer of Tomorrow’ show on Saturday January 2nd.

Alongside presenter, Sarah Walker, Saxton gave a masterclass to young composers Cydonie Banting and Sebastian Black.

On the programme, which was part of BBC Radio 3’s week of programming ‘New Year, New Music’, Saxton discussed his musical influences and highlighted key works that he thinks young composers should listen to, with selections by composers including John Taverner, Claude Debussy and Arvo Pärt.

The station's week of shows explored the “power of new music, from iconic masterpieces to avant-garde experiments, the next generation of talent and the best in contemporary music.”

Introducing his musical choices on the show, Saxton said:

“They’re all pieces I am very struck by.”

“I also chose them because I think they are very good teaching pieces, from the angle that I like to teach from which is not about style, but about technical processes.”

Saxton was born in London in 1953 and began composing aged 6.

After early advice from Benjamin Britten, he studied with Elisabeth Lutyens at Cambridge from 1970-74, where he received composition tuition from Robin Holloway.

Saxton also received composition tuition from Robert Sherlaw Johnson and Luciano Berio during postgraduate study at Oxford University.

Saxton’s work is internationally acclaimed and he is currently Professor of Composition at Oxford University as well as Tutorial Fellow in Music at the university’s Worcester College.

Click here to read Saxton’s full biography.