Keith Barnard
Keith Barnard was born in London and studied composition with Dr. Arnold Cooke - himself a pupil of the distinguished German composer Paul Hindemith. He describes himself as a disciple of Atlantis - creatively expressing the power and unique vibration of the greatest civilisation ever to have existed on our planet. His music evokes a potent sonic energy - a science of sound imagery also used in ancient China - passed down to other races, but now, regrettably lost. He uses music to give to the world, the unique healing and inspirational light of God - the sacred and holy service to all mankind.
The music of Keith Barnard is often linked with healing and colour rays, and many of his titles name the colours invoked by particular compositions and their instrumentation and designation. He has been influenced by the music and the ideas of the great Russian composer, Aleksander Scriabin, who died in 1915.
He has written 86 works and has made many recordings, of studio and live concert and recital performances. His scores include piano, vocal, chamber, choral, chamber/orchestral music and a two-section chamber opera, The Healing Angels. His piano compositions (he has appeared in concert as pianist on many occasions) include short pieces, ranging up to larger extended works. In June 1996, he gave the first performance of his 2 hour 35 minute composition "The Secret Tones Of The Divine Spheres". His choral music includes settings of - Kyrie, Benedictus and Agnus Dei, and he has composed a Concerto for Cello and Strings - The Inner Journey, and two Symphonies - No.1 for three flutes, three oboes and strings - Healing Rays Of The Purest Tonal Colourscape - and No.2 for female (sopranos) chorus, four flutes and strings - The Vision Of Light. He has written an essay : "Scriabin, colour and sound" and has recorded three albums of synthesizer music - The Temple Of Poseidon, Songs Of The Spheres and Colour Harmonies.
Many well-known and distinguished performers have given first performances of his chamber works - the flautist Nancy Ruffer, the soprano Sarah Leonard, the double bass player Corrado Canonichi. The music critic Kate Sheriff has written of the composer's ability to actively involve the audience in his music and his highly individual concentration on single tones and sustained harmonies, contrasting with more vigorous passages of sound.
For the acclaimed American pianist Michael Haberman, Keith Barnard has composed and dedicated two extended compositions - Angelic Nocturne and The Aquarian Cross of Initiation and Discipleship. Michael has written of the music of Keith Barnard as having a special unique and spiritual quality. Since 1980, he has also written poetry and his collections include - Outer World Poems, The Sacred Cup, The Legend Of Bran, Visions, and Perspectives. In 1990, he was awarded a Diploma from the International Poets Academy, Madras, India. In 1991 he participated in an International Poets Congress held in Istanbul - giving a speech and reading some of his poems. In 1998, an article on his music and poetry appeared in a newspaper in Kiev in The Ukraine.
He is a member of the International Writers Association (USA) and has contributed music recordings and poems to many international peace exhibitions held in North and South America. As a composer he describes himself as a 21st century creative artist, with an unusual and advanced approach to tonality and healing energy.