James Douglas (born 1932) is a Scottish classical composer.
Douglas was born in Dumbarton. He was brought up in Edinburgh and moved to live in North West Scotland in 2006. Douglas has composed over 2000 works including music for a wide variety of instruments and a number of choral pieces. He has been profoundly deaf since contracting an ear infection in 1991, but has continued to compose.
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Deputy Organist, St. Thomas' Church, Edinburgh, 1948–50; Director of Music, Nicolson Square Church, Edinburgh, 1953–63; Mayfield Church, Edinburgh, 1963–69; Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh, 1969–73; Music Staff, Edinburgh Academy, 1967–1979; Director of Music, Christ Church, Edinburgh, 1986–91; Director of Ensemble, 'The Glorious Company', 2004-
Composer James Douglas' education, includes: Edinburgh, Paris, Munich, Salzburg and London (LRAM and ARCM). Debut: Wienersaal (Mozarteum), Salzburg, 1951. He is especially grateful for the teaching of Professor Hermann Reutter (Munich / Salzburg) and Professor Henri Lauth (Paris).
Notable performances of the music of James Douglas have taken place all over the world, including the Usher Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral and St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, all the major cathedrals in London including Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame de Paris, l'Eglise St. Roch, Paris, and St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City. Transmissions have been broadcast on national TV, BBC Radio 3, Radio 2, Radio Scotland, The Open University and on Local, National and International radio and TV stations.
1. "Visions of Glory" (Cassette and Compact Disc) by James Douglas and David Adam, 12 Prayers in the Celtic Tradition, (Cassette: Catalogue Number: ABZ 103C, CD: Catalogue Number: ABZ 121CD, Caritas Records)
2. "Cry of the Deer" (Cassette and Compact Disc), featuring meditations led by David Adam, (Cassette: Catalogue Number: CCBZ 230C, CD: Catalogue Number: CCBZ 271CD, Caritas Records)
3. "A Vision" by James Douglas (Compact Disc) (Catalogue Number: ABZ 110 CD, Caritas Records).
4. "Cloud of Unknowing" James Douglas(Compact Disc) (Catalogue Number: ABZ 130 CD, Caritas Records
5. "Caritas Live Series," No. 1-7 James Douglas(7 separate Compact Discs: 'Vigil of the Ascension,' 'Into the Taiga,' 'Compline,' 'Doors of Perception,' 'Rannoch,' 'Threnody for Lost Time' and 'The Feast of his Joy.') (Catalogue Numbers: ABZ 141CD-ABZ 147CD, Caritas Records).
6. "Summertime Song," Caritas Live No. 8 James Douglas(Compact Disc) (Catalogue Number: ABZ 148CD, Caritas Records).
7. "The City Never Sleeps," Caritas Live No. 9 James Douglas(Compact Disc)(Catalogue Number: ABZ 150CD, Caritas Records).
8. "Nocturnal," Caritas Live No. 10 James Douglas(Compact Disc), (Catalogue Number: ABZ 149CD, Caritas Records
9. “Peace of the Highlands” Caritas Live No. 11 James Douglas (Compact Disc) (Catalogue Number: ABZ151CD, Caritas Records). A growing list of recordings in the 'Caritas' and 'Caritas Live' labels can be bought online from the Caritas Music Store, with selected clips to listen to as well as full track listings about each recording.
Future Recording Projects include: 'Le Mystère de Nöel;' 'Exocentricity;' 'Mystère suprême;' 'A Musical Journey (a DVD with Helen Douglas);' & 'A Tide that sings' (2010-)