Theme and Variations (2013)

Stephen Burtonwood (b. 1951) — Theme and Variations (2013) for organ

English composer Stephen Burtonwood (b. 1951) was born at Whitehaven in Cumbria in the U.K., the eldest of three children. The family lived in several locations due to his father’s calling as a Methodist minister. Stephen trained to be a teacher of Music at Westminster College, North Hinksey, Oxford, where he held the post of college organist for two years. He gained the B.Ed. Oxon. in Music and Education. During this period of time Stephen studied the organ with Walter Hillsman and the late John Webster (University Organist and Professor of Organ at Trinity College of Music, London) at University College. During his teaching career Stephen taught music in three secondary schools and served as organist/choirmaster in a number of Methodist and Anglican churches. Stephen’s choral and organ music was initially championed by Ian Wells (former assistant organist and choral director at Liverpool Cathedral). Many of his organ and choral works were first aired at the cathedral in services such as that for the Royal Maundy and the Commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Published by Fagus-Music.com in “The Second Fagus Book of Voluntaries for Manuals”