Ronald Beckett

File:Ronald Beckett, headshot.jpg

Ronald Beckett, Canadian Composer and Artistic Director of Arcady Ensemble

Ronald Beckett (b.1956) is a Canadian Composer, conductor, choir director, and the founder/ artistic director of the Arcady Ensemble.

Early Life/ Education

Ronald Beckett grew up in Simcoe, Ontario and received his early piano training from Raymond Daniels who also encouraged him with his composing career which began at the age of eleven. His original compositions and arrangements formed the basis of annual Christmas Eve home concerts held for neighbours and friends. He later graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Music degree in History and Theory and received a Master of Music degree in Composition from Western University. He is an associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance and was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Gallery in 2004 in recognition of his contributions to music and the community.

Career

Beckett’s compositions are performed throughout Ontario and are frequently heard on Classical radio throughout North America and Europe. He has written a trilogy of operas entitled Ruth, John and I Am...  that have been fully staged by Arcady Ensemble and Queen’s Student Opera. He has written additional large-scale works for orchestra, orchestra and choir, chamber music, pieces for piano and organ, and some two hundred songs for soloists and youth chorus.

In 1998, Beckett transformed his existing ensemble into the present day Arcady Ensemble - an internationally-acclaimed collective of 150 singers, instrumentalists, and dancers based in Ontario, Canada dedicated to the mentorship of emerging artists and the performance of new music by Ronald Beckett as well as Arcady’s emerging artist and affiliated composers.

He is a member of SOCAN, the Canadian League of Composers the Canadian Music Centre.

Arcady Ensemble

Arcady Ensemble has released three CD recordings on the Crescendo label: A Baroque Messiah (1999), Welcome Yule! (2001), and Ruth (2007). Welcome Yule! is a collection of Ronald Beckett’s original holiday season compositions and arrangements which are frequently heard in Arcady’s annually staged concerts entitled There’s a Song in the Air. Most of Arcady’s performances are full scale choral-orchestral productions derived from the CDs, including another annual Arcady concert entitled Voices of Summer.

Beckett has also arranged and conducted Ruby Productions’ CD entitled Peace on Earth (2000). In 2002, Phoenix Records released the CD A Beckett Miscellany – another collection of Beckett’s instrumental music performed by Arcady and The Essex Winds.

Beckett is known for his contributions to historically informed concerts and most recently the directing of numerous Handel’s Messiah productions performed by Arcady Ensemble each year.

Ruth (opera)

Ruth is a musical drama in 12 sections running 72 minutes. It is based upon the Old Testament book of Ruth. Beckett wrote the opera in 1996 in collaboration with librettist Roger Bayley of Brantford, Ontario. Since then, Ruth has been performed more than twenty times throughout Ontario. It has also been broadcast in Romania and Israel.

The work incorporates ten soloists and three choruses - a female chorus depicting the women of Moab, a male chorus of Elders, and a youth chorus that appears in the final section and symbolizing the 44 generations from Abraham to Christ. The work is scored for string orchestra and keyboard.

In June 2017, Ruth was performed as part of a two-week intensive summer program for international emerging artists through a grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation. On March 8, 2018, the opera, whose story features a strong female lead and primarily female cast, was performed for International Women’s Day in Cambridge, Ontario.

List of Works

As recorded in the complete catalogue.

Large Instrumental Ensemble

• Against the Odds, 2008
• Landscape, 1981
• Restitutio, 1981
• Symphony No. 2: A Christmas Symphony in two Movements (I Pastorale- Energico; II Moderato -Ritonello) 2016, duration 15 minutes

Opera

• I am..., 1998
• John, 1997
• Ruth, 1996

Chorus and Orchestra

• Adeste Fideles, 1987 (SATB, SSA, strings, keyboard…also flute and piano)
• Before the Ice, 2010 (SSA, oboe, strings, piano)
• Bird of Dawning, 2010 (2 flutes, strings, piano)
• Bright and Joyful is the Morn,1981 (SATB)
• A Carol Medley, 2011 (SSA, orchestra, piano)
• A Child my Choice, 1995 (SSA, harp or piano)
• A Christmas Hymn, 1985 (SATB, orchestra, keyboard), I Sinfonia; II As I out rode; III No sound was heard; IV What tidings bringest thou, messenger?; V About the field
• Child of the Snows, 2009
• The Christ-Child, 2006
• Christmas at Sea, 2009 (SSA, SATB, piano, cello)
• Christmas Greeting, 2009 (SSA, 2 flutes, strings, piano)
• Ding Dong, Merrily on High, 2001 (SATB SSA, flute, trumpet, oboe, strings, lute, piano, organ)
• Give Thanks Unto the Lord, 2010 (SATB, flute, strings, organ, piano)
• Gloomy Night Embraced the Place (SATB)
• Gloria, 2011 (SATB, piano, organ)
• Good King Wenceslas, 2009 (SSA, SATB, solos, orchestra, piano)
• Holy Thursday, 2012
• In Dulci Jubilo, 2012 (unison voices, solo, orchestra, piano, lute, banjo, vibraphone, organ…also brass quintet version)
• In Perfect Starlight, 2010 (SATB or SSA, solo, piano, flute)
• I Saw Three Ships, 2000 (SSA, SATB, solos, flute, strings, piano)
• Joy to the World, 2005 (SSA and SATB, 2 fl, trumpet [oboe], strings, keyboard)
• Laudate Omnes Gentes, 2009 (SATB piano, recorder, drum)
• The Little Vagabond (SSA, piano, cello), 2015
• The Song my Paddle Sings (SATB, mezzo soprano solo, flute, violin, cello two percussionists, keyboard), 2015
• Mass for the People, 2004, Unison chorus and seven instruments (trumpet, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello) I Kyrie; II Gloria; III Sanctus; IV Benedictus; V Agnus Dei
• Memorial Acclamation and Amen, 2004  (unison and organ)
• Minstrels, 2008 (SSA, clarinet (flute) piano (harpsichord)
• A Narrow Fellow in the Grass, 2009
• Nature’s Cry, 2009 (versions for solo, SSA, piano trio, lute, guitar)
• O Canada SSA
• O Clap your Hands, 1984 (SATB, piano or organ)
• O Holy Night, 2003 (SATB, piano)
• An Offering of Songs, 2011 (SATB, solos, orchestra)
• Our Lady’s Song, 1994 (SATB, SSA, solos, strings, organ)
• Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking, 1999 (SATB, soloists, woodwind quintet)
• Pange Lingua, 1986 (SATB, oboe, strings, organ)
• Past Three a Clock, 1990 (SSA, flute, strings, piano, 2 soloists)
• Pent Angels/Pentangles/ Pen Tangles, 1990 (2 choirs, soloist, flute, trumpet, piano, harpsichord, organ, percussion)
• Poetica, 2011 (chorus and orchestra, incomplete), I A narrow fellow in the grass; II This World is not Conclusion; III The Evening Darkens Over; IV Bright Star
• Psalm 150, 1985
• Psalm of Joy (SATB, piano, strings), 2015
• Round from I AM…., 1998
• The Savior must have Been, 2009 (solo, oboe, cello)
• Shout for Joy, 2013 (SATB strings, trumpets timpani)
• Silent Night, 2000
• Stille Nacht, 1990 (SSA and SATB, flute, strings, piano…also English version)
• Sweet Cedar Lullaby, 2012 (mezzo soprano & baritone solos, SATB chorus, youth chorus, recorder [oboe], koto, rainstick, strings)
• Then since our Charms have Sped, 1994
• These are Thy Glorious Works, 1984 (SATB, baritone solo, orchestra)
• To his Coy Mistress, 2011 (solo, SATB chorus, 2 alto recorder, treble & bass instruments, FX, koto, piano)
• Wassail Song  (SSA, flute, trumpet, piano)
• The Twinkling Moon, 2012 (SSA, piano)
• The Unfortunate Lover, 2012 (arranged for mixed chorus, youth chorus, 3 soloists)
• Vivamus, mea Lesbia, 2011 (TTB, piano)
• Wassail Song, 1991
• Where is this Stupendous Stranger?, 2014 (SATB rock organ, orchestra)

Youth Chorus

• A Song about Myself….(unison with solos), 2013
• The Cat and the Moon, 2013 (unison, solos, flute, piano)
• The Christ-Child, 2006  (SATB, soloists, 2 recorders, flute, trumpet, violin, piano, drums)
• A Child’s Vision, 2010 (soloist and SA chorus), I Little Boy Blue; II Wynken, Blynken and Nod; III Seven Times One
• At Christmas Time, 2012 (SA, solo, piano)
• Awake were they Only, 1981
• Greetings to the World, 2012 (SSA, piano)
• He shall be Great,1983 (SATB)
• I Keep Six Honest…, 2012 (unison and optional SSA)
• The Evening Sun, 2015  (SSA, solo, piano)
• The Land of Myth, 2013 (SSA, solos, flute, piano)
• Making a Man, 2011 (solo or choral)
• The Night Before Christmas, 2014 (unison, piano)
• Our World, 2010 (unison and optional SA), I Who hath a book; II The Owl; III The Fly; IV Count that day lost; V Get a Transfer
• Scarf and Mittens, 2010 (unison voices or solo, piano, strings)
• Seven Sharpes, 2012, I My Superstitious Grandma; II Massie the Cockerel; III The Land of Myth; IV Goosie Lucie; V The Spider; VI Mike the Mountain Goat; VII The Pig named Porky
• Sick Song Suite, 2010, I I love School; II Please, Miss, let me go Home!; III I don't feel at all healthy today; IV A Big Pill; V We have to do a test at School; VI They say I'm Sick; VII Catch a Cold and Pass it On; VIII Love Bug
• Snow-flakes, 2011 (SSA piano)
• Snowflakes Fall Softly, 2013
• A Song About Myself, 2013
• Three Short Poems of Emily Bronte, 2014 (oboe, clarinet, piano), I Lonely at her Window; II Twas One of those Dark and Cloudy Days; III There are Two Trees
• Thumbelina, 2015 (SA, flute, cello, music box, piano)
• The Traveler, 2010 (SSA, piano, strings)
• Welcome Yule!, 1990 (piano, flute, oboe, strings), I Welcome; II There is no Rose; III Adam lay Ibounden; IV O my dear Heart; V Welcome (Reprise)
• What Cheer? 1989  (SATB and organ)
• The World we Make (S or SSA, piano, strings), 2016
• Words (SSA, piano, strings), 2016

Chamber Orchestra and Soloist

• Concert Etude for Trumpet and Orchestra, 1987
• Down Ampney (2 trumpets, soprano, continuo), 1980
• How are Thy servants Blessed, 0 Lord, 1981
• Meditation on Bethlehem, 1981
• The Poet sings of Ruth, 2009
• Three Autumnal Settings, 1978
• What Tidings Bringest Thou, Messenger?, 1994

Unaccompanied Chorus

• Alleluia, pro Virgine Maria, 1989 (SATB, solo…also SSA and strings)
• Angels Appear Unexpectedly, 2014 (soloist and unison chorus, harp)
• A Child of the Snows, 2009 (SSA and SSATB, strings, piano)
• Come, thou long Expected Jesus, 1990 (SATB, organ)
• Gloomy Night, 1983
• God Save the Queen, 1994 (SSA)
• Infant Joy, 2014 (SSA)
• O Canada, 1994
• Psalm 13, 1977
• Three Anthems for Advent, 1990
• What Cheer?, 1989

Cantatas

• Christmas Cantata, 1981
• Shepherds’ Play, 1982

Chamber Orchestra

• Cana (The wedding at Cana), 1998
• Dance, 2013
• Dance Interlude from Ruth
• Dance Suite from John, 1997
• God Rest ye Merry, 2004
• Mit Freuden Zart, 2007
• The Praise of Christmas, 2007
• Three Advent Trios, 2007

String Orchestra/ Quartet

• Chaconne, 1988
• Coquina Suite, 2015
• Mit Freuden Zart, 1986
• Mixolydian Quartet for String Quartet, 1982
• Resignation, 2004
• The Praise of Christmas, 2007

Chamber Music

• Bass Clarinet Trio, 1982
• Brass Quartet (Gaudeamus), 1985, I Fanfare; II Ground; III Laudamus (after Parry)
• Chorale and Fugue for Brass Quintet, 1977
• Down Ampney (oboe and keyboard), 1980
• Elegy for Violin, Cello, and Piano, 2004
• Fantasia (after Bach) for Four Instruments, 1985
• Four Ostinati, 1978
• Giocoso for Winds and Piano, 1982
• The Lonely Barton, 2010
• Mixolydian Quartet for Piano Duet (four hands), 1982
• Ode for a New Day, 2004 (violin and piano or guitar)
• Passacaglia for Flute and Piano, 2014
• Polyhymnia, Daughter of Memory, 1982 (flute and piano)
• Sonata for Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, 2004, I Allegro Giocoso; II Chaconne (after Handel); III Lickity Split (after Wallace)
• Sonata for Oboe and Piano, 1979
• Sonata for Two Bass Clarinets, 1985
• Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1979
• Song 46 (after Gibbons) (flute and organ), 1980
• Three Pieces from Childhood (memories of ’68) arranged for woodwind quintet, 2004, I Bourree in C; II Waltz; III Hymn of Hope
• Thy Kingdom Come (string quartet), 2004
• Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Horn, 1986, I Andante; II Allegretto; III Allegro-Andante Maestoso
• Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, 2009
• Two Impressions for Flute and Organ, 1984
• Visione Cosmico (flute and piano), 1980
• Woodwind Trio, 1976

• Woodwind Quintet, 1985, I Allegretto; II Andante; III Scherzo: Canon in Palindrome; VI Allegro

Choir and Organ

• Aaronic Blessing, 1990 (SATB, solo, organ)
• For All the Saints (For all the love), 2012 (SATB, keyboard)
• Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, 2012 (SATB, organ)
• Sanctus and Benedictus, 2004 (unison and organ, piano)
• Three Anthems for Advent, 1982

Songs and Song Cycles

• Adam Talks to Temptation, 2012
• Alleluia, 2004
• The Burning Babe, 2013
• By the Roadside (Walt Whitman) (solo and string orchestra), 2015, I A Farm Picture; II A Child's Amaze; III Beautiful Women; IV The Runner
• The Evening Sun, 2015
• The Faeries, 2015 (SSA or unison) (solos, cello, music box, piano)
• Go Heart, 1983
• The Golden Mean, 2014 (solo, cello, harpsichord)
• In Freezing Winter Night, 1989
• In the Carpenter Shop, 2016
• Judas to Jesus, 2011
• Cradle Song- Ere the Moon Begins to Rise, 2008
• Lies, 2016
• Naomi, You Shall Not Call Me (from Ruth), 1996
• A NOISELESS, Patient Spider, 2014
• Poems by A.E.Housman, 2014 (incomplete), I With rue my heart is laden
• Poems by John Keats, 2015 (incomplete), I On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer; II A song about myself; III To one who has been long in city pent
• Prayer of St. Francis, 2012
• Psalm 47, 2004
• Psalm 150, 2015
• Reading Gaol, 2008
• The Record of John, 1982
• Reflection: Three Poems by Emily Bronte, 2012 (piano with clarinet, oboe), I The Sun has set; II Fall, Leaves, Fall; III The Sun has Set
• Seeker (solo, recorder, cello, piano), 2016
• Serenity, 2014
• A Shepherd Band, 1982
• Snowflakes Fall Softly, 2013
• Song of Thanks, 2012
• Spring, 2013
• Tell me, Tell me, Smiling Child, 2015 (SSA, solo, piano)
• Three Christmas Songs,1982
• Three Inscriptions by Walt Whitman, 2015, I Beginning my Studies; II A Clear Midnight; III Animals
• Three Songs for Baritone, Cello, Piano, 2016, I Annabel Lee; II Mild the Mist; III The Sun has Set
• Time is Sleeping, 2014
• The Tyger, 2012
• Villanelle, 2013
• When Mary Goes Walking, 2016
• Your God shall be my God (from Ruth), 1996
• Zechariah, do not Fear (from John), 1997
• Five Poems of Emily Dickinson, 2013, I I taste Liquor; II Hope; III So Set its Sun in Thee; IV A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree; V A Bird Came down the Walk
• Four Romantic Songs, 2008, I When I was one-and-twenty; II Ozymandias; III When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer; IV So, we’ll go no more a-roving
• I’m Nobody – Three poems by Emily Dickinson, 2008, I I’m nobody! Who are you?; II WILL there really be a morning?; III If I can stop one heart from breaking
• A Man Young and Old, 2011, I No Second Troy; II On being asked for a War Poem; III That Crazed Girl; VI My fiftieth year
• Poems by William Blake, 2013 (choral SSA-unison or solo), I The Lamb; II The Tyger; III Holy Thursday; IV Spring; V A Poison Tree; VI London (1); VII London (2); VIII The Little Vagabond
• Reflection: Four Poems by Emily Bronte, 2016, I Mild the Mist; II Fall, leaves, fall; III The Sun Has Set 1; IV The Sun Has Set 2
• The Seasons: Four Poems of Emily Dickinson, 2006, I Winter: There’s a certain slant of light; II Spring: A light exists in spring; III Summer: It will be Summer-eventually; IV Autumn: Besides the autumn poets sing
• Songs of the Spirit, 2011, I What if?; II Sailing to Byzantium; III Who is this?; IV This quiet dust; V To see the world in a grain of sand
• Three Latin poems of Catullus, 2001, I I hate and I love; II Atalanta picks up the apples; III To Diana

Organ

• Bunessan, 1982
• Child in a Manger, 1981
• Da Jesus An Dem Kreuze Stund, 1984
• Divinum Mysterium, 1982
• Fantasia (from a fragment by J.S. Bach), 1985
• Fantasia on Lasst uns Erfreuen, 1982
• Gonfalon Royal, 1984
• Hyfrydol(2), 1982
• Irish (Prelude), 1982
• Irish (Trio), 2004
• Langran, 1986
• Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich, 1986
• Melita, 1983
• Mit Freuden Zart, 1986
• Noel Angevin, 1983
• Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland, 1983
• Prelude on Divinum Mysterium, 1982
• A Recessional Fanfare, 1987
• Richmond, 1986
• Six Chorale Preludes, 1984
• Variations on Andernach, 1984
• Variations on St. Leonard, 1983
• Veni Creator Spiritus, 1982
• Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, 1984

Piano and Harpsichord

• 44, 2013
• Boca melody, 2005
• A Christmas Lullaby, 2010
• A Desolate Wandering, 1983
• Epilogue, 2001
• Fantasy on O Sanctissima, 2016
• Harpsichord Suite, 1982
• Image (solo piano), 1982
• Joy, 2011
• Mixolydian Suite, 1983
• Nativity, 2014
• Octatonic Suite, 2002, I Prelude; II Hornpipe; III Sarabande; IV Gavotte; V Bourree; VI Minuet; VII Gigue
• Ode for a New Day, 2004
• Piano Sonata, 1980
• Romanze, 2004
• Springtime, 2004
• Song of February, 2006
• Three Ancient Hymns, 1982
• Three Short Pieces for Piano, 1983, I Recollection in A, II Scherzo; III Oboe Tune
• Toccata for Solo Piano, 2004

Solo Instrument

• Fabula Palliata (solo clarinet), 1979
• Pentahedron (solo flute), 1978
• Variations for Clarinet, 1979
  

External Links

• http://www.ronaldbeckettmusic.com/
• arcady,ca