William Lovelady (born 1945[1]) is an English guitarist and composer[2] who has also performed and published as Bill Lovelady.

William Lovelady
Born1945 (age 78–79)
Occupations
  • Guitarist
  • Composer
Known for
WebsiteOfficial website

His London Rhapsody for guitar was published by Schott.[1] His music has been aired frequently by BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.[3] He has collaborated with Art Garfunkel, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, L. Shankar and Julian Lloyd Webber.[3] As Bill Lovelady, he scored major success first in the UK, with the 1979 song "Reggae for it now", a Top 20 hit produced by Eric Dufaure, and later the same year in Sweden and Norway, particularly with the song "One More Reggae for the Road".[4][5]

Three of his compositions for guitar, Incantations No. 5 to 7, were included in a recording titled Guitar Meditation played by Craig Ogden and released in 1999.[6] A reviewer compared their "eccentric charm" to music by Erik Satie.[6] Four of his Incantations were included in a 2013 collection titled Incandescent by guitarist Alison Smith. A reviewer noted his eclectic musical style.[3] Smith recorded three of his works, Edie Suite, Curlew and White Stone and Dreams of a Russian Summer in 2019, combined with music by Chopin, Agustín Barrios Mangoré and others.[7]

His commissions include a cantata setting of Psalm 104, which was commissioned by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for his 75th birthday.[8][2] The psalm text was adapted for a cantata in three movements by Sarn Dyer (b. 1945), beginning "My soul give praise unto the Lord of Heaven".[9] An abridged version, arranged for choir and organ by James Vivian, director of music at St George's Chapel, with permission from the composer, was performed at the Duke's funeral service at St George's Chapel on 17 April 2021, performed by four singers and chapel organist Luke Bond, conducted by Vivian.[9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "William Lovelady / Born: 1945". Schott Music. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b Timoney, Camilla (17 April 2021). "Prince Philip's funeral music includes two pieces written at his request / The Jubilate, by Benjamin Britten, and a setting of Psalm 104 by guitarist and composer William Lovelady to feature at Windsor". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Buttall, Philip W. (April 2014). "Incandescent". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  4. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - Bill Lovelady - One More Reggae For The Road". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  5. ^ "swedishcharts.com - Bill Lovelady - One More Reggae For The Road". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b Daly, Andy (November 1999). "Guitar Meditations". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  7. ^ "William Lovelady / Born: 1945". highresaudio.com. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  8. ^ Roberts, Lizzie (19 April 2021). "All the music from Prince Philip's funeral, including two pieces written at his request / Many of the hymns and songs played during the procession and service were chosen by Prince Philip himself". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b "In Prince Philip, Britain says goodbye to a man of ideals who lived up to them / The Duke dedicated his life to spiritual, practical ideals that are beautifully reflected in his funeral's order of service". The Telegraph. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Prince Philip Order of Service". BBC. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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