Gerard Victory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerard Victory
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| Birth name | Thomas Gerard Joseph Victory |
| Born | 24 December 1921 |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 14 March 1995 (aged 73) Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Composer |
Thomas Joseph Gerard Victory (born December 24, 1921 – died March 14, 1995) was an amazing Irish composer. He wrote more than 200 pieces of music! His music explored many different styles, from traditional sounds to more modern and experimental types.
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About Gerard Victory
Gerard Victory was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1921. His dad, Thomas Victory, was a shopkeeper. Gerard went to University College, Dublin to study Celtic Studies, which is about the history and culture of Celtic countries like Ireland. He also studied music at Trinity College Dublin, where he earned a special degree called a doctorate in 1972.
In 1948, Gerard married Geraldine Herity. They had five children: Alma, Fiona, Isolde, Raymond, and Alan. Gerard Victory passed away in Dublin when he was 73 years old. You can find many of his original music scores and papers at Trinity College and the Contemporary Music Centre.
His Musical Journey
Gerard Victory mostly taught himself how to compose music. However, he did get some lessons from other composers like John F. Larchet and Alan Rawsthorne. He also went to special summer classes in Germany to learn about new music styles.
In 1948, he helped write music for a play called Light Falling by an Irish writer named Teresa Deevy. This play was shown at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin. That same year, his music was even part of the art competition at the 1948 Summer Olympics!
Gerard Victory spent most of his career working in music administration. This means he helped manage and organize music-related activities. From 1967 to 1982, he was the Director of Music for RTÉ, which is Ireland's national broadcasting station. He also led the UNESCO's International Rostrum of Composers, which helps new music get noticed around the world. He received special awards from France and Germany for his contributions to music.
His Lasting Impact
To honor Gerard Victory, there's a special award called the Gerard Victory Commission. This prize is given to a promising new composer to help them create more music.
Types of Music He Wrote
Gerard Victory was incredibly creative and wrote over 200 different musical pieces. He composed music for many different groups and instruments:
- Orchestral Music: These are big pieces for a full orchestra, like his four symphonies and works such as Eblana and Three Irish Pictures.
- Ensemble Music: Music for smaller groups of instruments, like a string trio (violin, viola, cello) or a brass group.
- Solo Piano Music: Pieces written just for one piano, such as his Verona Preludes.
- Vocal Music: He wrote many pieces for singers, including songs for solo voices, choirs, and even children's opera like The Wooing of Éadaoin.
- Operas: He composed several operas, which are like musical plays where the story is told through singing. Some of his operas include Eloise and Abelard and Chatterton.
Recordings of His Music
Many of Gerard Victory's musical works have been recorded, so people can still listen to them today. You can find his music on various albums, performed by different orchestras and singers. Some of his recorded works include Three Irish Pictures and Ultima Rerum.
