Charles Camilleri(1931-2009)

Charles Camilleri, who was born in Malta, was recognised as one of the most individual composers of our time. He travelled widely covering the four corners of the globe and his music is frequently performed in concert halls and music festivals all over the world. Camilleri moved from his early influences by Maltese Folk music to a musical form "in which nothing is fixed and his compositions evolve from themselves with a sense of fluency and inevitability". In 1977 he became Professor of Composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, and lectured at Buffalo State University. His final years, after returning to Malta in 1983, were prolific: he produced two operas, an oratorio, several concertos, choral works and instrumental music. His oeuvre comprises more than 300 compositions, including a quantity of excellent keyboard music. In 1987-88 he was head of music for the Unesco Foundation of International Studies, and subsequently Professor of Music at Malta University, 1992-96.