Alexander Goehr, the last surviving member of the influential "Manchester School" of composers, has passed away at the age of 92. Goehr, who died on August 25, 2024, was known for his unique compositional style that defied categorization and incorporated various historical influences.
Born on August 10, 1932, in Berlin, Goehr moved to England with his family in 1933. His musical lineage was notable, with his father Walter Goehr being a pupil of Arnold Schoenberg and his mother Laelia Rivlin a concert pianist who had performed with Vladimir Horowitz.
Goehr's career spanned several decades, during which he experimented with various compositional techniques. He gained international recognition in 1958 with "The Deluge," conducted by his father. This work showcased Goehr's approach to serialist music, a development of Schoenberg's 12-tone system.
Throughout his career, Goehr composed in various forms, including:
- Operas (e.g., "Arden Must Die," 1966)
- Orchestral works
- Chamber music
- Vocal settings of texts by Milton, Spenser, and Larkin
His style evolved over time, moving away from strict serialism and incorporating influences from composers such as Monteverdi, Ives, and Janacek.
Goehr's educational journey included studying composition at the Royal Manchester College of Music from 1952 to 1955, where he formed the New Music Manchester Group with Harrison Birtwistle and Peter Maxwell Davies. He later studied under Olivier Messiaen in Paris, though he found the experience less impactful than expected.
The composer's career also included significant teaching roles. He worked as a musical assistant for the BBC from 1960 to 1967 and held professorships at Yale University and the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, where he taught from 1976 onwards, Goehr influenced a generation of composers, including Robin Holloway, George Benjamin, and Thomas Adès.
Goehr's approach to composition was often described as "thinking in notes," creating musical arguments through contrasting phrases. While his works may lack sensuous appeal, they exemplify a dedication to musical craftsmanship and intellectual rigor.
In 1987, Goehr delivered the BBC Reith Lectures on "The Survival of the Symphony," further cementing his role as a thought leader in classical music.
"Kandinsky's widow said that she had the impression that Kandinksy preferred the vermillion in the tube to what he was painting; and that is a remark which echoes with me somewhat. I just like the sound."
Alexander Goehr's passing marks the end of an era for the "Manchester School" and leaves behind a legacy of innovative compositions and influential teaching that will continue to shape the world of classical music for years to come.