Biography
Described as ‘boldly imaginative’ [the Times], ‘a talent to watch’ [New York Times] and ‘one of the most interesting voices of his generation‘ [Limelight], Gavin Higgins is one of Britains most exciting and gifted compositional talents.
Winner of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Sky Arts Award, The Worshipful Company of Musicians Ille's Medal, and two Ivor Novello Awards, Higgins held the position of the inaugural Composer-in-Residence for the Rambert Dance Company in 2010 and is currently Composer-in-Association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
In 2019 his first opera, The Monstrous Child – commissioned by the Royal Opera House – opened to critical acclaim, being described as ‘a triumph’ [the Guardian] and ‘a spectacular new opera’ [Culture Whisper].
His collaborations with soloists has resulted in daring and substantial additions to the concerto repertoire. This includes his wild and wacky Percussion Concerto (Beano Concerto) for Colin Currie; the Horn Concerto for Ben Goldscheider, described as ‘an immediate hit’ [the Times] ; and his Trombone Concerto (The Book of Miracles) for Helen Vollam which won Ivor Novello Awards in 2019. and 2024
His work has been commissioned by some of the UK’s leading festivals, including Cheltenham Festival Aldeburgh Festival, Three Choirs Festival and four commissions for the BBC Proms: Der Aufstand (2012), Rough Voices (2020), the ‘fast, exciting and brilliantly scored’ [The Telegraph] Velocity which opened the Last Night of the Proms (2014), and his most recent and substantial piece, the ‘ingenious work’ [Observer ★★★★★] Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra (2022) for which he won a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and a South Bank Sky Arts Award.
His debut album of chamber music, Ekstasis — ‘seductively sinewy and sensuously gritty‘ [Limelight ★★★★★], was released in 2019 to wide acclaim. An album of chamber works that confirms ‘a fastidious and arresting compositional voice‘ [Gramophone], with music that, ‘constantly intrigues and fascinates with its combination of sophisticated instrumental writing and magical textures‘ [Planet Hughill ★★★★★].
Whilst his first album of orchestral works was called 'an outstanding release' [Limelight ★★★★★], and combining 'dramatic flair with superb orchestral skill and emotional inteligence' [BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★].
Higgins can also be heard on radio, as a regular guest on Radio 4's Add To Playlist and the host of Everything Stops – a documentary about the relationship between Music and Tourette's Syndrome. Higgins is also an advocate for working-class voices in classical music and is a patron of the charity Young Sounds UK.
His career thus far has seen Higgins work with orchestras and ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Psappha New Music Ensemble, Manchester Camerata, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House.
Gavin is currently Composer-in-Association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
His music is published by Nimbus Muisc Publishing (www.wyastone.co.uk)
