John Marson was born in 1932 and died in 2007. He studied the harp with Marie Goossens at the Royal College of Music in London, and in 1958, while still a student, began his professional career with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. A week after leaving college he joined the London Symphony Orchestra for two years before embarking on two decades of freelance work, during which he played solos, chamber music and concerti, worked with all the London orchestras and spent much time in recording studios. He played in many outstanding feature films including the original ‘Star Wars’. In 1982 he was appointed principal harp of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and subsequently resumed his freelance career while increasingly engaging in composition, both for the harp and for other instruments and voice. He played for many West End and National Theatre productions including over three years as harpist in Lloyd Webber’s ‘Aspects of Love’.

The roll call of artists with whom John has worked include the Beatles, Richard Rodney Bennett, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Benjamin Britten, Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby, John Dankworth, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Liberace, Martha Graham, Hans Werner Henze, Herbert von Karajan, Otto Klemperer, Zoltan Kodaly, Lorin Maazel, Neville Marriner, Pierre Monteux, Jessye Norman, Laurence Olivier, Luciano Pavarotti, Gennadi Rozhdestvenski, Frank Sinatra, George Solti, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, George Szell, William Walton, John Williams, Stevie Wonder and countless others.

In 1964 John was one of the two founders of the United Kingdom Harp Association, edited its magazines for many years and became President of the Association in January 2005. His book ‘The Complete Guide to Harp Glissandi’, is published by Lyra Music of New York, while his other major work ‘The Book of the Harp – techniques, history and lore of a unique musical instrument’, was published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd. in 2005.

£6.95

Most string quartets are long, but this short little piece in one movement was intended as an encore item, but could also fit comfortably into any portfolio for weddings or other functions. For schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.

£5.95

Most string quartets are long, but this short little piece in one movement was intended as an encore item, but could also fit comfortably into any portfolio for weddings or other functions. For schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.

£3.95

Most string quartets are long, but this short little piece in one movement was intended as an encore item, but could also fit comfortably into any portfolio for weddings or other functions. For schools, colleges, conservatories and professionals.

£10.95

Repertoire for this combination of instruments is sparse, and this two-movement work provides plentiful opportunities to hear how well they combine. The first movement evokes an ancient Greek pastoral landscape, while the second depicts the energetic cavortings of the God Pan.

£10.95

Repertoire for this combination of instruments is sparse, and this two-movement work provides plentiful opportunities to hear how well they combine. The first movement evokes an ancient Greek pastoral landscape, while the second depicts the energetic cavortings of the God Pan.

£5.95

Trinity College London Intermediate Certificate (Grade 5 Equivalent) Exam Piece for Pedal Harp until further notice

In Latin American style, this is a lively evocation of a humming bird in its natural habitat. This work was a Guildhall School of Music and Drama grade 5 exam piece between 2001 and 2006, and has been a Trinity College London Intermediate Certificate (grade 5 Equivalent) exam piece since 2001.

£5.95

Trinity College London Intermediate Certificate (Grade 5 Equivalent) Exam Piece for Pedal Harp until further notice

In Latin American style, this is a lively evocation of a humming bird in its natural habitat. This work was a Guildhall School of Music and Drama grade 5 exam piece between 2001 and 2006, and has been a Trinity College London Intermediate Certificate (grade 5 Equivalent) exam piece since 2001.

£9.95

A lightweight kaleidoscopic view of a country outing, in which the last of the three movements portrays playfully the pleasures, and perhaps fatigue, of a bicycle ride.

£9.95

A lightweight kaleidoscopic view of a country outing, in which the last of the three movements portrays playfully the pleasures, and perhaps fatigue, of a bicycle ride.

£7.95

This is in effect a four movement Sonatina but in a continuous structure. It employs some popular idioms and has a strong climax.

£7.95

This is in effect a four movement Sonatina but in a continuous structure. It employs some popular idioms and has a strong climax.

£10.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if preceded with NocturneScherzo and Song without Words these four pieces combine as a substantial recital work.

£10.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if preceded with NocturneScherzo and Song without Words these four pieces combine as a substantial recital work.

£5.95

This piece will send any congregation home with a light step. It is a toccata like joyful display with a contrasting but undemanding song for the pedals.

£5.95

This piece will send any congregation home with a light step. It is a toccata like joyful display with a contrasting but undemanding song for the pedals.

£17.95

Written to be light, bright entertainment this work is an interesting, melodic suite with plenty of rhythmic coloration. The four movements are very varied and include a lyrical and soulful horn solo, unusual in this sort of repertoire. For colleges, conservatoires, professionals.

£13.95

Written to be light, bright entertainment this work is an interesting, melodic suite with plenty of rhythmic coloration. The four movements are very varied and include a lyrical and soulful horn solo, unusual in this sort of repertoire. For colleges, conservatoires, professionals.

£6.95

Written to be light, bright entertainment this work is an interesting, melodic suite with plenty of rhythmic coloration. The four movements are very varied and include a lyrical and soulful horn solo, unusual in this sort of repertoire. For colleges, conservatoires, professionals.

£6.95

Trinity College London Diploma Level ATCL Exam Piece from January 2022

Four contrasting movements in a style that shows French influences.

£6.95

Trinity College London Diploma Level ATCL Exam Piece from January 2022

Four contrasting movements in a style that shows French influences.

£7.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if followed with ScherzoSong without Words and Fantasia Stravagante, these four pieces by John Marson combine as a substantial recital work.

£7.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if followed with ScherzoSong without Words and Fantasia Stravagante, these four pieces by John Marson combine as a substantial recital work.

£6.95

Trinity College London Diploma Level ATCL Exam Piece from January 2022

Written in response to a request for a piece utilising jazz influences, it is however a concert work suitable for a wide range of recital formats.

£6.95

Trinity College London Diploma Level ATCL Exam Piece from January 2022

Written in response to a request for a piece utilising jazz influences, it is however a concert work suitable for a wide range of recital formats.

£6.95

As a change from show-off bravura items this piece simply asks to be loved, and will return that feeling. Written in a very approachable style, it is well mannered enough to be taken anywhere. For colleges, conservatories and professionals.

£6.95

As a change from show-off bravura items this piece simply asks to be loved, and will return that feeling. Written in a very approachable style, it is well mannered enough to be taken anywhere. For colleges, conservatories and professionals.

£9.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if followed with ScherzoSong without Words and Fantasia Stravagante, these four pieces by John Marson combine as a substantial recital work.

£9.95

Often performed as a separate piece in its own right, if followed with ScherzoSong without Words and Fantasia Stravagante, these four pieces by John Marson combine as a substantial recital work.

£13.95

Too little good music exists for this combination, and so its accessibility commends it to bassoonists. John Marson has given the personalities of the different registers plentiful scope to display their individualities in music with strong melodic content.

£13.95

Too little good music exists for this combination, and so its accessibility commends it to bassoonists. John Marson has given the personalities of the different registers plentiful scope to display their individualities in music with strong melodic content.