Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
Composer and Reid Professor of Music
Kenneth Leighton was among the most distinguished of British post-war composers. An Honorary Doctor of the Universities of St Andrews and Oxford, he was lecturer in music at the University of Edinburgh from 1955 until 1968, and held the Reid Chair of Music from 1970 until his death.
He published over 100 works, most of which were written on commission, and which are frequently performed, broadcast and recorded throughout the world. By birth a Yorkshireman, Leighton had a deep love of Scotland, especially of the landscape and Celtic tradition of the Western Isles. This influenced much of his music, notably his opera "St Columba" (Opus 77), which was first performed in Glasgow in June 1981.
At Kenneth Leighton's request, the original manuscripts of his music, both composition sketches and completed scores, were presented to the Reid Music Library on his death in 1988 by Mrs Leighton.
