Wilfred Josephs (24 July 1927 – 17 November 1997) was an English composer.
Born in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Wilfred Josephs had his first musical studies in Newcastle with Arthur Milner, and showed early promise, but was persuaded by his parents to take up a 'sensible' career. He subsequently became a dentist, qualifying as a Bachelor of Dental Surgery of the University of Durham in 1951. He later studied at the Guildhall School in London.
In 1963 his Requiem, written in memory of the Jews who died during the Holocaust, won the first International Composing Competition of the City of Milan and La Scala - then the biggest musical award in the world, after which he gave up dentistry and became a full time composer. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music of Newcastle University in 1978.
In October 1996, a concert of his works was given at Newcastle University in his presence.
He died in London in 1997, leaving a wife, Valerie, and two daughters, Claudia and Philippa.
Wilfred Josephs was a prolific composer and his classical works include 12 symphonies, 22 concertos, overtures, chamber music, operas, ballets, vocal works - almost all of which had been written to commission.
In particular, Josephs is remembered for composing the music for the television series The Great War (1964), Talking to a Stranger (1966), I, Claudius (1976) and incidental music for The Prisoner (1967). His work for film includes My Side of the Mountain, Cider with Rosie, Swallows and Amazons and All Creatures Great and Small.
His other notable works include an opera Rebecca (1983), based on Daphne du Maurier's novel, a ballet Cyrano (1991) and the Aelian Dances, based on Newcastle folk songs (the title is a reference to Newcastle's Roman name.)