Composer. He was a notable figure in 20th Century English music, though his compositions are seldom performed today. His score for the science-fiction film "Things To Come" (1936), with its famous "March," is probably his best-known work. Among Bliss's other opuses are the "Colour Symphony" (1921), "Introduction and Allegro" (1926), the ballet "Checkmate" (1937), a Piano Concerto (written for the New York World's Fair, 1939), Violin Concerto (1955), "Meditations on a Theme of John Blow" (1955), Cello Concerto (1970), and "Metamorphic Variations" (1972). Bliss was born in London, to a British father and an American mother, and studied at the Royal College of Music. His early style was influenced by Stravinsky and Debussy. Later he adapted a more conservative idiom, reflecting the Edwardian romanticism of Elgar spiced with occasional modern harmonies. As music director of the BBC from 1942 to 1944, his ideas led to the post-World War II division of music broadcasting into categories, such as the present-day BBC Radios 1 and 3. Bliss was knighted in 1950, and in 1953 he succeeded Arnold Bax as Master of the Queen's Musick, a title he held until his death.
Composer. He was a notable figure in 20th Century English music, though his compositions are seldom performed today. His score for the science-fiction film "Things To Come" (1936), with its famous "March," is probably his best-known work. Among Bliss's other opuses are the "Colour Symphony" (1921), "Introduction and Allegro" (1926), the ballet "Checkmate" (1937), a Piano Concerto (written for the New York World's Fair, 1939), Violin Concerto (1955), "Meditations on a Theme of John Blow" (1955), Cello Concerto (1970), and "Metamorphic Variations" (1972). Bliss was born in London, to a British father and an American mother, and studied at the Royal College of Music. His early style was influenced by Stravinsky and Debussy. Later he adapted a more conservative idiom, reflecting the Edwardian romanticism of Elgar spiced with occasional modern harmonies. As music director of the BBC from 1942 to 1944, his ideas led to the post-World War II division of music broadcasting into categories, such as the present-day BBC Radios 1 and 3. Bliss was knighted in 1950, and in 1953 he succeeded Arnold Bax as Master of the Queen's Musick, a title he held until his death.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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