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Born in London in 1948, Malcolm Dedman was initially
self-taught, having started to compose when he was 12. Although he later had formal violin
and singing lessons, it was composition, arising out of improvising at the piano, that he was
most interested in pursuing.
His first formal lessons in composition were with
Patric Standford at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, in 1973-74, but he did
not receive a formal musical qualification until 2005, when he passed with distinction his
Masters Degree in Composing Concert Music at Thames Valley University,
London.
He considers his compositional style to be an individual one, benefitting from an
in-depth understanding of twentieth century trends, ranging from serialism to quasi-aleatoric
techniques.
He now
adopts an individual ‘post-modern’ idiom, based on original modes, that is very personal in
approach. Although his music
owes much to the music of Messiaen and Bart
ók, it also integrates music by many other composers as well as music from different
cultures. He believes in writing music that speaks
directly to the audience, conveying a purposeful message, in a style that is appropriate to
this century and without compromising musical quality.
He has received performances in various countries, including England, USA,
Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. Many of
these performances have been received well by audiences and critics, including two excellent
reviews by Anthony Payne.
He has
also gained several composition awards; and most of his scores are self-published, along with
two CDs, under the name Misty Mountain Music.
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