Stephen Crowe is an English composer of operas and experimental music. He was born in Bolton, but grew up in Nottingham. Crowe studied Fine Art at John Moores University, Liverpool, and Composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His music uses standard scores, graphic notation, indeterminacy and controlled improvisation.
His work has been performed internationally in Berlin, Bern, Budapest, Dublin, Geneva, New York, Novi Sad, Zofingen and Zurich. Notable London performances have been at Camden Arts Centre, Courtauld Gallery, Kings Place, The National Portrait Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Riverside Studios, Tate Britain and The Vortex.
His stage work The Francis Bacon Opera won the Hilton Edwards Award in May 2013 after performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, James Joyce Centre and The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin.
Since his work is often performed in galleries as well as concert halls, Crowe's output has been noted by critics in both art and classical music fields, including Exeunt Magazine, This is Tomorrow, What's On Stage and Opera Magazine. The Independent newspaper described his work as "The future of new opera".
He is a guitarist, and performs free improvisation on an irregular basis in Berlin.
In 2013 he formed 'StreisBAND' a hardcore Barbra Streisand covers band, which received warm praise from Henry Rollins.
Pterodactyls of Ptexas (2017) Libretto by Crowe
The Francis Bacon Opera (2011–12) Libretto by Lord Melvyn Bragg and Francis Bacon
Wretched Bliss (2010) Libretto by Crowe
Just Bloody Schmooze the Woman (2010) Libretto by Crowe
The Singing Bone (2009) Libretto by Crowe, based on Grimm Brothers’ Tale
Domestic (2004) Libretto by Crowe
A Zillion Miles Below Planet Earth (2003) Libretto by Crowe
Das Fishgold (2001) Libretto by Crowe/Virdi
Neon Lizard (2015) Concerto for violin and electronics- Written for Noëlle-Anne Darbellay. Commissioned by Francisco Sierra
Toblerone for a nob (2015) Suite of piano solos
Whisky in one hand, biscuit in the same (2014) Suite of guitar solos
Eat Thy Snap (2014) Sonata for young dog
Who's Up for a Cadenza? (2014) Concerto for baritone sax- written for Simon Rose
Kilgore's Siamese Tweezers (2014) Duet for solo trumpet- written for Nathan Plante
Look At The Pour On THAT (2014) Clarinet Concerto- written for Tom Jackson
Shirtless Buff Swan (2014) Viola Concerto
Medieval Photocopier (2014) Brass Quintet
Dial 9, Merlin (2014) Violin and French horn
Iranian Space Monkey (2014) Brass Quintet- Commissioned by Ensemble Apparat
The Dorty Letters of James Joyce (2014) Song-cycle for tenor and ensemble. Written for Oliver Brignall
Erection (2014) Double Bass & electronics- Written for Aleksander Gabryś, dedicated to Eddie Van Halen
Boeuf Day (2013) Solo Violin- Written for Noëlle-Anne Darbellay. Commissioned by Francisco Sierra
Beefing Up The Back Catalogue (2013) Clarinet and Guitar
Stelectronic (2013) Electronic Suite
Toffee Cock (2013) Solo Viola- Commissioned by Benedict Taylor
Granny Groat (2012) Chamber Group- Commissioned by London Sinfonietta
Cranny Apple Stick & Sorbet Day (2012) Electronics- Commissioned by London Sinfonietta
Master of Boulez' Domaines (2012) Electronically Manipulated Clarinet
Lancashire Hotpot (2012) Orchestra & Chorus- Commissioned by Rugby School
Crazy Bitch Fantastic (2012) Non-Violinist & Horn- Commissioned by Samuel Stoll & Noelle-Anne Darbellay
Mel Gibson Vs Fender (2012) Saxophone Solo- Written for Nonclassical
Putting the Ham into Lewis (2012) Flute & Voice- Commissioned by Candida Powell-Williams
BIG HONK / MEDIUM HONK (2012) Saxophone & Voice
Red Beard (2012) Cello, Viola, Recorder, Saxophone & Soprano
Fuck Bunnies (2011) Sax & Soprano- Commissioned by Candida Powell-Williams
Scream I Love That Girl (2011) Violin & Horn- Commissioned by Samuel Stoll & Noelle-Anne Darbellay
Tenvelopes (Originally written in 2011 but recomposed for subsequent performances) Horn & Electronics- Commissioned by Samuel Stoll
One Long Debauch (2010) Orchestra & Chorus
Fuck This Arseholing Typewriter (2009) String Quartet- Written for the Arditti Quartet
Bullfinch, Rook, Yellowhammer, Jay (2009) Two Flutes
Prehistoric Garden Birds (2008) Two Recorders
One I Wrote in Cornwall (2008) Piano
One I Didn't Write in Cornwall (2008) Piano
Ten (or so) Nocturnes (2007) Piano/Electronics
Giant Rat of Sumatra (2006) Electronics
