Women Composers - Priaulx Rainier

Priaulx Rainier

South Africa | 1903 – 1986

Priaulx Rainier spent her early childhood in a remote part of South Africa where the local language and music and the sounds of nature were to prove a lasting influence. At age 17 she moved to London to attend the Royal Academy of Music and settled in the city permanently, at first earning a living as a violinist before focussing on composition. Rainier was much loved and respected by performing musicians for the finely calculated musical qualities of her work: she received commissions from many famous artists and was performed around the UK and abroad. As well as fantastic works for orchestra and concerti, Rainier is perhaps best known for her body of chamber music which is regularly performed.

Priaulx Rainier

by Malcom Crowthers

The Bee Oracles

for tenor or baritone and ensemble (1969) 18’ from ‘The Canticle of the Rose’ by Edith Sitwell

Aequora Lunae

for orchestra (1966–1967) · 30’

Dance Concerto Phala-phala

for orchestra (1960–1961) 14’

Cycle for Declamation

for tenor or soprano solo (1953) 9’ Text from ‘Devotions’ by John Donne (Eng.)

Quartet for Strings

(1939) · 16’