Ronald Senator facts for kids

Ronald Senator (born April 17, 1926, died April 29, 2015) was a British composer. He spent his time living and working in both New York City and London.

Early Life and Learning

Ronald Senator came from a Jewish family. He went to Oxford University from 1944 to 1947. There, he studied with Egon Wellesz. Wellesz was a famous student of Arnold Schoenberg, another important composer. Later, from 1955 to 1958, Ronald studied at London University. His teacher there was Arnold Cooke, who learned from Paul Hindemith.

A Career in Music

Ronald Senator became a Senior Lecturer in Music at London University. This means he was a high-level teacher. In 1981, he became a Professor of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music. A professor is a top teacher at a university. He also taught as a visiting professor in Australia, the United States, and Canada.

His Musical Works

Ronald Senator wrote many different kinds of music. He was known for his unique style.

Holocaust Requiem

One of his most famous pieces is an oratorio called Holocaust Requiem. An oratorio is like a big concert piece for singers and an orchestra. It tells a story, usually a religious one. This piece was first performed in 1986 at Canterbury Cathedral. It was supported by the United Nations and other groups.

The Holocaust Requiem has been performed all over the world. It was played in the U.S. in 1988 and 1990. It was also performed in Moscow in 1993 and Czechoslovakia in 1995. In 1991, it was played in Rome as a "Concert for Peace." For the 1990 performance in Manhattan, Lukas Foss led the Brooklyn Philharmonic orchestra.

Concerts and Performances

Concerts focusing only on Senator's music have been held in many cities. These include New York City (1990, 1998, 2001) and London (1989, 1997, 2006). His music was also featured in Sydney (1978), Moscow (1993), and St. Petersburg (1991).

Operas and Chamber Music

Senator composed six operas and musicals. These were based on stories by modern writers like Anthony Burgess and Peter Porter. He also wrote many chamber works. Chamber music is for a small group of instruments. He wrote for famous musicians like singers Sybil Michelow and Willard White. He also composed for violist Rivka Golani and clarinettist Stanley Drucker. His wife, Miriam Brickman, was a pianist he wrote for.

Writing and Education

Ronald Senator also wrote a book called Requiem Letters. It was described as a "deeply moving" story about his life. He was also a leader in music education. His ideas about how music works are in his book The Gaia of Music. He also created a music education system called Musicolor.

This system was developed at London University. Teachers at all levels used it. Musicolor was used in schools and colleges. The BBC even made two documentaries about it.

Music Organizations

Senator helped start the Montserrat Composers’ Association for Sacred Music. Famous composers like Stravinsky and Messiaen supported this group. He also founded the National Association of Music Theatre in the United Kingdom. His music is published by well-known companies like Ricordi and Boosey and Hawkes.

His Passing

Ronald Senator and his wife, Miriam Brickman, sadly died in a house fire. This happened at their home in Yonkers, New York, on April 30, 2015.