ChristopherBest.net

composer and writer

Welcome to ChristopherBest.net, the site where you can browse information regarding music compositions, creative writing and other activities by Chris Best.

You can listen to extracts of my music, download score samples, find information on purchasing scores and recordings, read articles and fiction that I have written and learn about my current projects. I am always keen to hear from anyone interested in new collaborative ventures, or anyone wishing to commission a new piece.

You can also find me on iLike and Facebook

About me

As a composer...

I am a freelance composer who lives and works in Devon, England. My work has been performed by many established ensembles and individuals, including Aquarius, Jane's Minstrels, Kokoro, Onyx Brass, Michael Finnissey, Ruth Wall, Daniel Moult, Margaret Campbell and Christopher Cox. Many of my compositions have been shortlisted and showcased by the SPNM.

"Here was proof that contemporary music can succeed on all fronts...." (Artistic Director SPNM 1997)

Much of my recent work has been for contemporary dance, with major commissions from Claid & Co, Scottish Dance Theatre, Bimba Dance Theatre, Jamaican National Dance. REQUEST CV

"....mature and powerful work, able to portray the dark shadows of loss that can unexpectedly creep into even the most joyful moments in life...." (Dance Europe)

"This is lovely music for dance, and it develops in a delightful way...." (Howard Skempton - composer)

 

Since 1998, I’ve also been senior lecturer and ‘Reader in Music Composition’ at Dartington College of Arts. Before that, I designed and ran the country's first Higher National Diploma and BA Degree courses in composition at Coventry University. I have twice been artistic director (music) of the Composers/Choreographers Exchanges at the South Bank in London and have gone on to conduct similar workshops in Madrid, Zwolle and Malmo. I now co-run m&de (the Music and Dance Exchange) at Dartington College.

As a writer...

For the past three years I have been busy expanding my creative work into the realms of fiction writing. As well a short stories, a first novel 'The Moor Inn Fire' was completed in 2007 and a second 'Mobius' is now well under way. I have also written articles on music and written or adapted texts for my compositions. Find out more and explore my downloads on my writing page.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Kate Mount, Indra Thiagarajah, Su Mo and Peter Best for the photos. Also to Lewis Fitzjohn (aka DJ Allergy) for setting up and hosting this website.

Updated Oct 08

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