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 CroweThe Francis Bacon Opera (2011–12) Libretto by Lord Melvyn Bragg and Francis BaconWretched Bliss (2010) Libretto by CroweJust Bloody Schmooze the Woman (2010) Libretto by CroweThe Singing Bone (2009) Libretto by Crowe, based on Grimm Brothers’ TaleDomestic (2004) Libretto by CroweA Zillion Miles Below Planet Earth (2003) Libretto by CroweDas Fishgold (2001) Libretto by Crowe/VirdiNeon Lizard (2015) Concerto for violin and electronics- Written for Noëlle-Anne Darbellay. Commissioned by Francisco SierraToblerone for a nob (2015) Suite of piano solosWhisky in one hand, biscuit in the same (2014) Suite of guitar solosEat Thy Snap (2014) Sonata for young dogWho's Up for a Cadenza? (2014) Concerto for baritone sax- written for Simon RoseKilgore's Siamese Tweezers (2014) Duet for solo trumpet- written for Nathan PlanteLook At The Pour On THAT (2014) Clarinet Concerto- written for Tom JacksonShirtless Buff Swan (2014) Viola ConcertoMedieval Photocopier (2014) Brass QuintetDial 9, Merlin (2014) Violin and French hornIranian Space Monkey (2014) Brass Quintet- Commissioned by Ensemble ApparatThe Dorty Letters of James Joyce (2014) Song-cycle for tenor and ensemble. Written for Oliver BrignallErection (2014) Double Bass & electronics- Written for Aleksander Gabryś, dedicated to Eddie Van HalenBoeuf Day (2013) Solo Violin- Written for Noëlle-Anne Darbellay. Commissioned by Francisco SierraBeefing Up The Back Catalogue (2013) Clarinet and GuitarStelectronic (2013) Electronic SuiteToffee Cock (2013) Solo Viola- Commissioned by Benedict TaylorGranny Groat (2012) Chamber Group- Commissioned by London SinfoniettaCranny Apple Stick & Sorbet Day (2012) Electronics- Commissioned by London SinfoniettaMaster of Boulez' Domaines (2012) Electronically Manipulated ClarinetLancashire Hotpot (2012) Orchestra & Chorus- Commissioned by Rugby SchoolCrazy Bitch Fantastic (2012) Non-Violinist & Horn- Commissioned by Samuel Stoll & Noelle-Anne DarbellayMel Gibson Vs Fender (2012) Saxophone Solo- Written for NonclassicalPutting the Ham into Lewis (2012) Flute & Voice- Commissioned by Candida Powell-WilliamsBIG HONK / MEDIUM HONK (2012) Saxophone & VoiceRed Beard (2012) Cello, Viola, Recorder, Saxophone & SopranoFuck Bunnies (2011) Sax & Soprano- Commissioned by Candida Powell-WilliamsScream I Love That Girl (2011) Violin & Horn- Commissioned by Samuel Stoll & Noelle-Anne DarbellayTenvelopes (Originally written in 2011 but recomposed for subsequent performances) Horn & Electronics- Commissioned by Samuel StollOne Long Debauch (2010) Orchestra & ChorusFuck This Arseholing Typewriter (2009) String Quartet- Written for the Arditti QuartetBullfinch, Rook, Yellowhammer, Jay (2009) Two FlutesPrehistoric Garden Birds (2008) Two RecordersOne I Wrote in Cornwall (2008) PianoOne I Didn't Write in Cornwall (2008) PianoTen (or so) Nocturnes (2007) Piano/ElectronicsGiant Rat of Sumatra (2006) Electronics