Biddington and Brown: two Canterbury composers

Eric Biddington

Composer Eric Biddington was born in Timaru in 1953. After he left school he worked as a labourer while studying at the University of Canterbury. His musical studies were cut short by illness, but he returned to study in 1979 and graduated with music, arts and science degrees.

He composes for a variety of instruments, including flute, oboe, piano and violin. The library holds a wide collection of Biddington’s works as sound recordings and as scores.

Chris Cree Brown

Chris Cree Brown (also born in 1953) is based at the School of Music at the University of Canterbury. He composes conventional classical music, but is also interested in computer-based music and electro-acoustic music.

He has a strong interest in Aeolian harps, and exhibited a design in the Christchurch Botanical gardens as part of the Art and Industry Scape Biennale in 2002.

These two composers are part of a much wider group of notable New Zealand classical music composers which includes Douglas Lilburn, David Farquhar, John Rimmer, Gillian Whitehead, Ross Harris, Lyell Cresswell, Gareth Farr, John Psathas and Jack Body.

Christchurch City Libraries has recordings and scores by most of these composers available for borrowing.

Classical music resources

Our online resources:

• Classical music at the library our page on exploring our classical collections.
• Early NZ Music our feature on NZ music before 1900.
• NZ music from 1900 to today.
• Māori Music - our page on traditional māori music.

Our Internet Gateway recommends:

• This page is starting point for those with an interest in classical music.
• Classical music magazines.
• An online guide to choirs and singing.
• The Composers Association of New Zealand website has useful information on prizes, career opportunities, copyright issues and guidelines on how to prepare scores and manuscripts.
• Eric Biddington information from the Centre for New Zealand Music including detailed list of recordings and compositions.
• Chris Cree Brown information from the Centre for New Zealand Music including detailed list of recordings and compositions.

Browse the resources in our libraries:

• Music by Eric Biddington. Scores and recordings of various chamber music pieces.
• Music by Chris Cree Brown including collaborations.
• Scores and recordings of works by New Zealand composers in the library catalogue.
• Search the libraries’ collection for scores and recordings of the music of New Zealand composers.
• Composers New Zealand Scores
• Composers New Zealand Sound Recordings
• You can also search for individual composers or performers by name, e.g. Edwin Carr, Malvina Major
• Search the libraries’ collection of books about New Zealand opera companies and performers Opera New Zealand