Philip Norris
Philip Norris (b 1948) is a composer, organist, and cellist, who spent much of his musical life in Germany and Glasgow, but now resides in Dunoon.
He studied for his B.Mus(Hons) degree at Glasgow University in the 60s, after which a Caird travelling scholarship award enabled further study of the cello in Germany, where he then lived and worked for 11 years. There he held principal positions in 2 orchestras (in Gelsenkirchen and Wiesbaden), as well as teaching cello and piano (& some English).
During his time in Essen he also briefly studied composition, and composed some works for piano and cello, which had very successful first performances, with one (Four Escapades, for cello & piano) also being broadcast on West German Radio (Cologne), as well as BBC Scotland.
He returned to Scotland in 1981 to take up a new appointment as Principal Cellist of the newly formed Scottish Opera Orchestra, a post he held for 8 years, while in the nineties he was Assistant Principal Cellist in the BBC SSO. He taught cello and chamber music at the RCS from 1986-1999, and was also a founder member of the Paragon Ensemble from 1982, - returning to composing during the eighties and nineties. Some of his works were performed by Paragon Ensemble, with one, ‘Cello Cantata’ featuring on a Paragon CD.
Other works of that period included ‘Assertions’ for piano solo, ‘Horn Theatre’ (1995), Scenes for Septet, Fantasy-Burlesque (String Quartet), ‘The Shipping Forecast’ (Clarinet/Piano), and ‘Brandenburg 90’ - for String Orchestra.
After a period running a tourism business in Dunoon, he surprised himself (and a few others) in 2012 by taking up the organ, which he now plays regularly both in his church position in Gourock and for recitals at Kelvingrove, Kilmun, and elsewhere.
During the recent lockdown period he returned again to composing, and wrote over 20 new pieces, for a variety of genres – for organ, organ & piano, piano solo, piano duet, a string quartet, a duo for viola & cello, a Ballade for SATB choir & piano entitled “The Battle of the Braes”, and an Anthem for ladies choir & organ.
Many of these, especially some organ works, have received first performances with remarkable success. The intention in these recent compositions has been to write pieces which are effective, uplifting, and easily approachable.
When not making music, Philip enjoys hill-walking, cycling, reading, photography, and visits to Germany and Austria.
