On this page, Philip introduces himself in his own words, and shares links to his music, his website, and his social media platforms. We warmly invite programmers and commissioners to take a closer look at Philip’s work, and please be in touch with us if you would like to connect with him.

About Philip

'Hi – I’m Phil, a British-Czech composer based in London. My music aims to express my love of storytelling and curiosity in a way that’s vivid and direct. I often draw upon my cultural heritage and past experiences for inspiration.

My musical journey began when an affordable local music centre opened near where I lived and thanks to an outreach project I was introduced to the trumpet, aged 8. Soon after starting lessons, I started improvising – with the few notes I knew – and attempting to notate my improvisations.

For secondary school, I was awarded a full scholarship as a trumpeter to Wells Cathedral School and started composition lessons a year later. I remember being introduced to Messiaen’s Appel Interstellaire from Des Canyons aux Étoiles during a composition lesson (the first time I had heard anything like it) and thinking: I want to do that!

I joined the Purcell School’s Composition Department for 6th Form (supported by the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme) and completed my BMus at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (supported by the Guildhall Trust). In 2021, I was invited to attend Creative Dialogue France, where I composed my string trio Ring Out!.

Since completing my studies at Guildhall I have continued to study privately and work as a freelance composer and teacher, and I have worked as the Composition Department Assistant and Commonwealth International Composition Award Manager at the Purcell School.

My musical influences include Boulez, Ives, Janáček, Lutosławski, Messiaen and Xenakis.'

Highlights

• Britten-Pears Young Artist 2022-23
• London Philharmonic Young Artist 2022-23
• Creative Dialogue France 2021
• Working on “Go Compose!” to introduce young musicians to composition
• Edmund Rubbra Prize 2016, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, for orchestral composition Sand Shadows

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about Philip, hearing and and keeping up to date with his work, take a look at his website and social media below:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Soundcloud

We are particularly grateful to the Susan Bradshaw Composers’ Fund for supporting Philip’s RPS commission. In addition, the 2023 RPS Composers programme is made possible with support from RPS Members, Delius Trust, the Elgar Bursary Fund, The Fidelio Charitable Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust, PRS Foundation's The Open Fund, the Radcliffe Trust, the RVW Trust, and several anonymous donors.