Coke: Cello Sonatas

Roger Sacheverell Coke, born into an ancient Derbyshire family in 1912, was an English composer and pianist whose life was marked by a deep connection to music and a rich heritage. Orphaned at a young age when his father, an officer in the Irish Guards, was killed in the Battle of Ypres, Coke inherited the family estate of Brookhill Hall and was raised by his mother, Dorothy. His musical journey began at Eton College, where he was inspired by the playing of Benno Moiseiwitsch and started composing compulsively, even sneaking compositions under the bedclothes after lights out.

Coke's musical education was extensive, studying composition with Alan Bush, theory with J. Frederick Staton, and piano with Mabel Lander, a pupil of Leschetizky. His musical influences were deeply rooted in the Romantic tradition, particularly the works of Rachmaninoff, and he showed little affinity for the avant-garde music of his time or the works of his British contemporary, Benjamin Britten.

Throughout his life, Coke composed prolifically, leaving behind a body of work that includes piano concertos and cello sonatas, among other pieces. His music, though not widely known during his lifetime, has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years, with recordings of his works by artists such as Simon Callaghan. Coke's compositions offer a unique blend of Romantic sensibilities and personal expression, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mind of this talented and enigmatic composer.