Michael Garrett

Michael Garrett (1944–23 August 2023) was a British composer, born in Leicestershire. He was active in composing and performing for more than fifty years. His many works extend across a wide range of styles.

He wrote many symphonic, chamber and instrumental works as well as vocal music and wrote extensively for the piano. During the 1960s his early compositions incorporated experiments with serial techniques; and in the years since then composed music in a more melodic vein. He began studying the piano and composing in 1956 and studied at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London where he won a scholarship to study with Edmund Rubbra (1961–1964). He also studied piano with Frank Merrick who was himself a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky. He composed music for two Ken Russell films Women in Love (1969) and Savage Messiah (1972). He worked as composer and pianist in the theatre, gave piano recitals of jazz and experimental music, and also composed a jingle for the Scottish Gas Board.

He gave the first performances in the UK of John Cage's "Concert for Piano and Orchestra", which was conducted by John Cale before he moved to the US and joined The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed.

Garrett was musical director for Lindsay Kemp's mime company, which included David Bowie and toured Britain and Europe. He was music director on Lindsey Kemp's film 'Pierrot In Turquoise' during which he plays piano. He composed music for television documentaries and was bandleader on the liner Canberra on a world cruise. He recorded in Paris with jazz trumpeter Bill Coleman and drummer Art Taylor. The album 'Bill Coleman Plus Four' (JCD196) remains available as a download.

He lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. He regularly performed with and directed The Michael Garrett Ensemble in concerts of his own and other music. His recent works include a setting of Robert Burns' "Braw lads o' Gala Water" for soprano and piano. His "Refrain de danse oriental" for wordless soprano is often accompanied by the composer wearing a fez.