A prolific writer of music who has had many of his works presented in Keswick and surrounding towns and cities has died, aged 86.
Martin Bott, a talented composer, conductor, musical director, teacher and mentor, died at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, on Sunday, October 13.
He studied music at St John’s College, York, and started and ended his teaching career at Keswick School. Martin was instrumental in forming Keswick Operatic Society and the Lakeland Amateur Musical Performers (LAMP) society. Martin has also been musical director and conductor for several other local amateur dramatic groups.
He has written many full original works ranging from opera and nativity through to “feel good” family musicals for children and adult groups. Many of these works have been presented in Keswick and others have been performed in Cockermouth, Workington, Carlisle, Blackpool and Greater Manchester.
Most of Martin’s works have been in collaboration, sculpting narrative and lyrics from other artists into beautiful, sensitive melodies.
Martin also developed a skill of his own in writing lyrics for his tunes. His works have covered a range of musical genres and flavours, and his unique gift is demonstrated in the body of his work. It is where opera, comedy, tragedy, romance, dance and parade, rock and roll and “hearts and flowers” types of music can all be found with equal skill and musicality.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature in his body of work was the unique skill Martin had to provide magnificent counterpoint harmony and seamless key transitions and mood changes, that singers and players alike enjoyed performing.
Unlike many post-war musical composers, Martin was able to comprehensively score full orchestrations for his works, often doing this directly from his perfect pitched ear to the paper without the need for a piano or instrument.
Although, a traditional and purist musician, Martin was also able to adapt to the newer technology coming through, involving computer software and digitally sampled sounds, to arrange his own full orchestral prints and full orchestration backing sounds.
Martin’s other hobbies include chess – he was a county player – mountain climbing and he had conquered the Matterhorn.
His funeral service will take place at Crosthwaite Church, Keswick, on Monday, November 4, at 11am, followed by interment in the churchyard. Family flowers only but, donations, if so desired, to The Cat Society.
