Throughout most of our lifetimes we have seen a talent appear on the horizon that is worthy of our attention. The 21st Century lifestyle and amenities did not evolve from the genius of the 18th Century. While true that we all stand upon the shoulders of our predecessors, much of what is new is unique, creative and deserving of our respect. Texts (Schuler) reveal that many present day conductors far and away exceed the talents of their predecessors. The same could be said of present day bassoonists and 20th-21st Century virtuoso violinists. Very rarely it may be said of a composer.

Referring to composers, conductors and audiences seem to know Peter Tchaikovsky, Ludwig Von Beethoven and others quite well. After composing symphonies for 13 years and because of modern technology such as the Internet and media coverage, thousands of people are aware of a new American composer named Richard Englefield. There is a fascinating story behind this composer?s career that makes him attractive to a broad spectrum of the audience. Professional critics in vast numbers have lauded his compositions for their originality, unique style and joyous innovation. During an illness in 1993, at the age of 55, he began his first symphony believing it to be his last. Now thirteen years later he has recently completed his 14th symphony, a contemporary jazz works titled ?Something Cool?.

Mr. Englefield?s first symphony came as the Cold War ended and was a tribute to world leaders that brought and end to the frightening Cold War that threatened nuclear annihilation for over fifty years. Soon thereafter the Voice of America in Washington, DC broadcast a program featuring the new American composer and his first symphony to 148,000,000 people throughout the world in 50 different languages. The works was appropriately titled Daybreak in the Forest a symphonic suite having an Overture and six movements Indicative of the composer?s happiness with the end of an evil era. The six movements beyond the Overture were titled most fittingly The Forest, The Promise of Tomorrow, Dawn, Fauna, Creatures and the Encore Finale.

Audiences will be fascinated to learn that Richard Englefield?s uniquely different entrée into composition began by learning to harmonize with his babysitter at the age of seven, followed by a sixth grade book report on Peter Tchaikovsky. That was followed by a two year stint as improvising tenor in an award winning boy?s quartet while in sixth and seventh grade. Thereafter his tastes for music favored rhythm and blues, jazz and most ardently choral works by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir whereby his affinity for majestic works was firmly established. As President of his Jr. High Glee Club he experienced his first public speaking role as Master of Ceremonies of the schools annual Talent Show. Years later he was a candidate in Republican primaries for both the United States Senate and President of the United States.

Today Richard Englefield is an affable public speaker who recently was featured at the Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville (Florida) where he spoke about his composition career and again later unfolded his experiences in two formidable primary campaigns. Obviously and most interestingly a man who perceived his own destiny, Mr. Englefield since retiring has composed Concertos for Piano, Violin, Cello, Harp and another for Violin, Viola & Piano. Also of interest, when he is not composing symphonies he cares for nine beautiful gardens at his country home near Gainesville, Florida. His recent productions include slide shows and digital camera films featuring his gardens, avian visitors and his travels accompanied by music from his fourteen symphonies.

Richard Englefield?s early business career began in New York City at the age of 19 working for the largest paper company in the world (International Paper Co.) where he traveled throughout the country as a Packaging & Machinery Sales Engineer. Subsequently he was employed with Union Camp Paper Corp. in New York as Sales Service Mgr. for the Linerboard Division. He then joined his older brother in a fledgling oil company (Englefield Oil Co.) as Vice President of Advertising & Sales Promotion. Recessions and shortages in the oil supply led Mr. Englefield to a thriving Atlanta where he returned to his Civil Engineering background working as Field Engineer on high rise office building construction. His notable projects included the AT&T Tower and Concourse VI Twin Towers in addition to many others. Health matters dictated his retirement in 1993 whereby he began his storied career as composer of fourteen symphonies, nine symphonic poems, chamber music and a Collection of 12 Piano Sonatas.

In keeping with his desire to make a mark on the pages of history during the 1970s Mr. Englefield had returned to the Ohio State University to study Political Science and Journalism (Investigative Reporting & Editorial Writing). Thereafter he became a popular guest editorial writer for various newspapers. At retirement he launched two very popular Journals on AOL one featuring political commentary and the other a Photo Journal featuring his travels and beautiful pictures from his nine fabulous gardens. His music ambitions led him to Knoxville, Tenn. where he met with Kirk Trevor, conductor of the Knoxville Symphony, who then became Mr. Englefield?s mentor. The friendship led the composer to Kromeritz, (Czech Republic) for lessons in conducting. Zlin was the next destination where the Martinu Philharmonic recorded Mr. Englefield?s 4th Symphony and symphonic poems for CD. Maestro Kirk Trevor later also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra performance of three Englefield symphonic poems, also for CD. Kirk Trevor subsequently led the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) with Simon James of the Seattle Symphony performing Englefield?s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. With the help of many others a young man?s destiny was being fulfilled.

Currently tentative plans are in the works for another visit to Bratislava (SRSO) for the performance recording of the Englefield Concerto for Harp and Orchestra and the composer?s first symphony, Daybreak in the Forest (Op. No. 1) under the direction of Maestro Trevor with virtuoso Harp performance by Kirk?s beautiful and extremely talented wife Majka Duhova Trevor. While in Bratislava for the earlier performance Mr. Englefield witnessed Majka Duhova Trevor warming up before her performance in his Violin Concerto. The composer returned to the United States and immediately began his composition (Concerto for Harp and Orchestra) remembering the intricate and complex passages demonstrated earlier by Majka Duhova Trevor. Majka?s valuable contribution to Mr. Englefield?s composition career is further established by her having mentored all previous Harp scores prior to performances in London and Bratislava. Both Maestro Kirk Trevor and the lovely Majka have made substantial and inestimable contributions to the composition career of composer Richard Englefield.

We believe Mr. Englefield is a rarity unparalleled in history. His two piano lessons at age seven and a piano course in Continuing Education at Buffalo State University at the age of 20 do not foretell a composer of fourteen symphonies fifty years later. However, his gift for harmony at the age of seven and his lifelong love for the music of Peter Tchaikovsky quite possibly do explain how this obvious and observable fact can appear unprecedented in the 21st Century. A story of marvelous gifts and unrelenting accomplishment await the deserved attention of conductors and scribes throughout the world. Audiences since the beginning of time have sought to witness the creation of great achievement. Achievement is the fine fodder of attraction in all venues.