John enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a classical composer, deciding aged five that he would devote his life to music.
His compositions, published by Novello for more than 50 years, number over 200, including full-length ballets, symphonies and concertante works, as well as music for soprano and orchestra.
Badly burned in an accident as a young child and educated at home for eight years, John had plenty of opportunity to experiment and explore musically, unhindered by timetable or curriculum – a spirit of discovery and independence that has characterised his musical choices ever since.
By the age of 11 he had already written 13 symphonies and part of an opera.
In 1985 John was appointed CBE by the Queen for his services to British music. In 2004 the Incorporated Society of Musicians honoured him with the Distinguished Musician Award in recognition of his 'outstanding contribution to British musical life'.
Then, in 2006, Liverpool University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Music.
Most recently, during his 75th birthday year in 2014, he was presented with The Ivors' Classical Music Award.
James Rushton, managing director of Novello & Company Limited, said in a statement: ‘With John McCabe’s passing we have a lost a man of great wisdom, humour and integrity and a complete musician.
‘A composer and pianist of the highest calibre, he shall be greatly missed. I am struck, when thinking back over John’s career, and over a period of 20 years in which I have had the privilege of working with him, by his constancy. He was devoted as a pianist to the music of Haydn and Scarlatti, Rawsthorne, Bax and many other 20th century composers. John’s recordings were the first introduction that many of us had to such repertoire.
‘My abiding memory of John will be his acceptance speech when receiving the Classical Music Award at the Ivors last year. It was quite extraordinary - self-deprecating, loyal to fellow composer colleagues, and immensely humorous - leaving everyone on their feet, cheering. That is as it should be.’
John is survived by his wife Monica.
Read our interview with John from last year.
His compositions, published by Novello for more than 50 years, number over 200, including full-length ballets, symphonies and concertante works, as well as music for soprano and orchestra.
Badly burned in an accident as a young child and educated at home for eight years, John had plenty of opportunity to experiment and explore musically, unhindered by timetable or curriculum – a spirit of discovery and independence that has characterised his musical choices ever since.
By the age of 11 he had already written 13 symphonies and part of an opera.
In 1985 John was appointed CBE by the Queen for his services to British music. In 2004 the Incorporated Society of Musicians honoured him with the Distinguished Musician Award in recognition of his 'outstanding contribution to British musical life'.
Then, in 2006, Liverpool University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Music.
Most recently, during his 75th birthday year in 2014, he was presented with The Ivors' Classical Music Award.
James Rushton, managing director of Novello & Company Limited, said in a statement: ‘With John McCabe’s passing we have a lost a man of great wisdom, humour and integrity and a complete musician.
‘A composer and pianist of the highest calibre, he shall be greatly missed. I am struck, when thinking back over John’s career, and over a period of 20 years in which I have had the privilege of working with him, by his constancy. He was devoted as a pianist to the music of Haydn and Scarlatti, Rawsthorne, Bax and many other 20th century composers. John’s recordings were the first introduction that many of us had to such repertoire.
‘My abiding memory of John will be his acceptance speech when receiving the Classical Music Award at the Ivors last year. It was quite extraordinary - self-deprecating, loyal to fellow composer colleagues, and immensely humorous - leaving everyone on their feet, cheering. That is as it should be.’
John is survived by his wife Monica.
Read our interview with John from last year.
