Lyell Cresswell

Lyell Richard Cresswell (13 October 1944 – 19 March 2022) was a New Zealand composer of contemporary classical music. He was the younger brother of philosopher Max Cresswell. Cresswell studied in Wellington, Toronto, Aberdeen and Utrecht and lived and worked in Edinburgh from 1985 on. Although he lived more than half his life away from New Zealand, he regarded himself as a New Zealander.

Early life and education Cresswell was born in Wellington in 1944, the younger brother of Max Cresswell; his family belonged to the Salvation Army.

In 2001, the Scottish Arts Council granted him the Creative Scotland Award and commissioned a work, in collaboration with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, exploring the issues of exile and identity. His composition Shadows Without Sun combines elements of oratorio, opera, music theatre and cantata. It requires orchestra, singers, speaking voices and recorded voices. The work intertwines the story of exiles living in both Scotland and New Zealand with the story of Cassandra. The Money Man, 2010, was written in collaboration with librettist Ron Butlin with whom Cresswell regularly worked.

Cresswell found inspiration from visual arts and literature.

Awards

Ian Whyte Award (1978) – for the orchestral work Salm Creative New Zealand/School of Music Composer in Residence in Wellington (2006–2007)