The staunchly anti-Thatcher composer was best known for his orchestral work Babi Yar, which was premiered by both the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and New York’s St Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1983. It was later recorded for Factory Records.
He was known for working with artists and musicians outside classical institutions, including various Dutch and American groups. Forever pushing the boundaries of classical composition, he collaborated with the band Spiritualized in 1998 for Edinburgh's Flux Festival.
Elsewhere, his music has been choreographed around the world in productions including Drill for the Sydney Opera House and Crossing the Border for the Dutch National Ballet. And his ensemble works, such as Crossing the Border and Eternal Delight, have garnered comparisons to Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten and William Blake.
Martland was born in Liverpool in 1959 and studied composition in The Netherlands with Louis Andriessen. He later founded his own ensemble, The Steve Martland Band which included Dave Maric, Colin Currie and Alex Poots.
Later, he ran his own summer school for budding but disadvantaged young composers who had no previous access to the support they needed to develop their musicianship.
In 2006 and 2007, he was composer in residence at the Etna Music Festival in Sicily, while choral works include Street Songs, written for King's Singers and percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Schott Music said yesterday in a statement: ‘Steve was a unique figure, an independent, questioning spirit who inspired a generation of younger musicians – composers, players, promoters…’
‘He has been one of the outstanding voices in British music since the mid-eighties.’
He was known for working with artists and musicians outside classical institutions, including various Dutch and American groups. Forever pushing the boundaries of classical composition, he collaborated with the band Spiritualized in 1998 for Edinburgh's Flux Festival.
Elsewhere, his music has been choreographed around the world in productions including Drill for the Sydney Opera House and Crossing the Border for the Dutch National Ballet. And his ensemble works, such as Crossing the Border and Eternal Delight, have garnered comparisons to Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten and William Blake.
Martland was born in Liverpool in 1959 and studied composition in The Netherlands with Louis Andriessen. He later founded his own ensemble, The Steve Martland Band which included Dave Maric, Colin Currie and Alex Poots.
Later, he ran his own summer school for budding but disadvantaged young composers who had no previous access to the support they needed to develop their musicianship.
In 2006 and 2007, he was composer in residence at the Etna Music Festival in Sicily, while choral works include Street Songs, written for King's Singers and percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Schott Music said yesterday in a statement: ‘Steve was a unique figure, an independent, questioning spirit who inspired a generation of younger musicians – composers, players, promoters…’
‘He has been one of the outstanding voices in British music since the mid-eighties.’
