James Butt

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James Butt (1929–2003) was an English composer of classical music. Combining careers as composer, pianist, publisher, James Henry Baseden Butt was born in Middlesex in 1929 and educated at Kidstones School in Yorkshire before studying composition from 1944 onwards with Dr. Erwin Stein, Benjamin Britten and Matyas Seiber, as well as studying pianoforte with Franz Osborne.

Between 1947-1948 he served with the R.A.F. before attending the Dartington School of Music (which has since been incorporated into the University of Exeter), where he completed his studies under the direction of Imogen Holst. On leaving Dartington Hall in 1952 James Butt's first published work was the part-song Orpheus, distributed by Novello and company. From 1952 James Butt toured England with the Continental Ballet Company playing as first pianist before leaving to take up the post of deputy headmaster of Cary Park School in 1954.

James Butt began publishing his own music under the "Sphemusations" imprint in 1963 when he became increasingly frustrated by the difficulty of promoting new works to existing publishing companies. A dedicated Christian Scientist, his sacred solos for high voice and organ are now performed in many churches.

During his career James Butt also performed as pianist with the English Pianoforte Trio and accompanist to the violoncellist Gillian Benjamin, and conductor of the Woodbridge orchestra, increasing the scope of the orchestra's repertoire and number of concerts.

Following a debilitating stroke in 1995, he spent his remaining years in semi-retirement with his wife Kathleen.

[edit] Some published works

• Op. 1. Orpheus, for SATB choir. Novello & co..
• Op. 31. Ariel's song, for voice and pianoforte or harp.
• Op. 44. Four Canadian Cowboy songs. For baritone and pianoforte. Boosey and Hawkes.
• Op. 50. Soliloquy for solo violin. Thames Publishing.
• Op. 51. When I am dead. Thames Publishing.
• Op. 53. A Whimsy for brass. EMI.
• Op. 66. Noah. An opera. Sphemusations.
• Op. 73. Dramatic Sinfonietta, for wind quintet. Sphemusations.