Performing and composing ideas

Below is a table containing techniques that British composers of the explore in their music. It may be useful to consider them in both performance and composition. By understanding the effects of each may develop musicianship skills. They are shown in this table.

	In performance	In composition
Structure: Theme and Variation	Pay attention to all of the composer's score intructions so that each of the themes are clearly played and any intended variation is carried through.	Compose a simple theme or choose a passage from a well-known composer. Add variation by modulating the passage to a new key, altering the instrumentation, applying rhythmic diminution and augmentation to the melody or changing the time signature.
Traditional music	Ensure to be aware of the stylistic and technical features of the genre.	Listen to traditional music from a country of interest. Incorporate elements of the musical style into a composition. This could be through replicating a dance style such as a reel or incorporating elements of a folk tune associated with that country.
Texture	Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Make sure that the melody line is balanced correctly with the accompaniment.	Compose a piece for multiple voices are instruments. Include passages where the melodic movement is both monophonic and chordal (homophonic). This could be used as a contrast to a polyphonic or contrapuntal section where the instruments are playing independent parts.

	Structure: Theme and Variation
In performance	Pay attention to all of the composer's score intructions so that each of the themes are clearly played and any intended variation is carried through.
In composition	Compose a simple theme or choose a passage from a well-known composer. Add variation by modulating the passage to a new key, altering the instrumentation, applying rhythmic diminution and augmentation to the melody or changing the time signature.

	Traditional music
In performance	Ensure to be aware of the stylistic and technical features of the genre.
In composition	Listen to traditional music from a country of interest. Incorporate elements of the musical style into a composition. This could be through replicating a dance style such as a reel or incorporating elements of a folk tune associated with that country.

	Texture
In performance	Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Make sure that the melody line is balanced correctly with the accompaniment.
In composition	Compose a piece for multiple voices are instruments. Include passages where the melodic movement is both monophonic and chordal (homophonic). This could be used as a contrast to a polyphonic or contrapuntal section where the instruments are playing independent parts.

The impact of British composers in the 20th century

The British composers discussed in this guide are among the most influential since 1910. For further listening, there are a number of other significant British composers such as Edward Elgar, Gustave Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

In more recent years, a number of British composers have been celebrated for their music. These include Paul Mealor, James MacMillan, Judith Weir and Anna Meredith.

Paul Mealor is an important composer of Welsh choral music. His first album A Tender Light was a collection of anthems recorded by Tenebrae and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Like Tavener, Mealor also composes sacred music and composed the first ever musical setting of St Francis’ prayer, You Are The Holy Lord God, for Friar Alessandro’s debut album.

is a Scottish composer who writes electronic and music. As well as incorporating music technology in her pieces, she also composes music for orchestras, bands and choreographers. Her unique and innovative approach includes clapping, stamping, shouting and beatboxing instead of writing for instruments.

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British 20th century composers - AQAPerforming and composing ideas