Meriden Music

Graham Whettam - Composer 1927 - 2007

"Graham Whettam is that now rare kind of composer, a natural symphonist; his ideas fall readily into patterns of conflict and resolution"

The Sunday Times


	7th September 1927 - 17th August 2007

	It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the composer Graham Whettam, recently described by Musicweb as "one of Britain's elder statesmen of music". He died peacefully in his sleep early on the morning of Friday 17th August at his West Gloucestershire home which overlooks the River Severn.

	Whettam was to celebrate his eightieth birthday on 7th September, and had most recently received commendation due to the highly acclaimed recordings of his piano music by Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow, which were released last year on the Divine Art label. His final week was marked by another CD release, the Carducci String Quartet unveiling their recordings of his string and oboe quartets at their performance of his String Quartet No. 1 in the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester, Whettam's last public appearance. This release is on the Carducci Classics label.

	Five days earlier, the combined choirs of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester Cathedrals had given a thrilling performance of Whettam's Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis (Coventry Service) during Festival Evensong in Gloucester Cathedral.

	Graham Whettam leaves behind a considerable musical legacy which Meriden Music will of course continue to promote.
	Sunday, 19 August 2007


	Compositions include 5 Symphonies, 5 Concertos, 4 String Quartets
	Meriden Music, founded by Graham Whettam, publishes over 75 of his own works
	Music for symphony & chamber orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and singers. Liturgical and secular choral music
	Over 60 compositions performed and broadcast internationally
	Sheet Music - extensive catalogue covering a wide range of instruments including orchestra, strings, wind, percussion, organ and choir
	School Music including recorders, brass, percussion. & an entertainment for classroom or stage. "You will not find a more skilfully crafted score for the Young Ensemble." Percussive Notes (USA) on the Kitchen
	Hire Library of conductors' scores and parts for all orchestral works
	Recordings by orchestras and instrumentalists from Europe & America Records Sinfonia Intrepida BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras. Redcliffe Recordings (RR 016) "The huge scale, broad concept, the large themes and the blazing intensity of the finale set Whettam apart from his fellow British composers and place him in line with the Shostakovich of the Leningrad symphony" *Records International Catalogue*

	Performance Diary - click here