Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divided a busy career between composing, teaching, and performing.
A prolific composer and arranger, Tony’s original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright’s Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem, and many works for string orchestra.
Tony’s music for young bassists is very much at the heart of the teaching repertoire, particularly his jazzy and enjoyable bass trios and quartets, and he had the rare ability to create wonderful music which is always player and audience-friendly.
In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass and was a featured composer at Bass-Fest for over ten years.
He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3, was a judge for the British Composer Awards and a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition from 1999 until 2015.
Tony Osborne died on 30 March 2019 at the age of 71.
Valse Parisienne is an elegant and charming waltz for the junior string orchestra which is also playable by string quartet or quintet.
Valse Parisienne was composed…
Valse Parisienne is an elegant and charming waltz for the junior string orchestra which is also playable by string quartet or quintet.
Valse Parisienne was composed in the 1980s and is relaxed, romantic, smooth and luxurious, which just about describes Paris amid the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s favourite cities. French music is rich in several distinct waltz styles: the fast Musette, the slower and more exotic Java, as well as popular songs such as Under Paris Skies sung by the legendary Edith Piaf.
This piece can inspire many pictures: a stroll along the banks of the river Seine, a candle-lit dinner, the sound of an accordion drifting across a boulevard. Its Gallic charm will hopefully be enjoyed by string players of all ages. [Tony Osborne, 2005]
