Composer
Frederick Stocken’s latest work is for organ: The Son of Man written for Paul Greally, and first performed in May 2026 on the organ of Westminster Abbey. It is the latest in a line of works with strong spiritual inspiration and atmosphere reaching back to Lament for Bosnia for string orchestra from 1993, the CD of which launched Frederick’s career; Lament for Bosnia was described in the Organists’ Review in 2026 as having ‘intensely raw emotional qualities’.
Commissioned music by Frederick includes orchestral and choral works, which has been widely performed and broadcast. Examples include his First Symphony commissioned for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in the Royal Albert Hall, conducted by Vernon Handley, to his Chichester Service commissioned for the Southern Cathedrals Festival.
Frederick’s 45-minute orchestral ballet, Alice, was commissioned for the Stadttheater in Giessen Germany and received ten performances. The Second Symphony and the Violin Concerto were both premiered at St John’s Smith Square, London.
Other commissions in the field of choral music include Missa Pacis, for the Brompton Oratory, London and The Prayer of St Richard commissioned by Chichester Cathedral.
Frederick’s background as an organist, including as Organ Scholar of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and ten years as Organist of St George’s Cathedral, London, has inspired many works for organ including Faith, Love, Hope and Archangels.
Important musical mentors for Frederick were Howard Ferguson, Malcolm Williamson and Margaret Hubicki. His musical style has also been influenced by a special study of nineteenth-century musical harmony which led to a PhD from the University of Manchester. His background as a performer and teacher, including several years in the organ department of the Royal Academy of Music, also led to various tutors, including his co-authorship of The New Oxford Organ Method.
Lament for Bosnia for string orchestra first brought Frederick Stocken's music to a wide audience. It was premiered in the Barbican by the New Queens' Hall Orchestra conducted by John Lubbock, and the CD was played often on Classic FM. Frederick was invited to conduct Lament with the Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra and also at the opening of the permanent Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum with the strings of the Royal Academy of Music. Lament was described in the Organists’ Review in 2026 as having ‘intensely raw emotional qualities’.
Commissioned music by Frederick includes orchestral and choral works, and music for various other forces ranging from solo piano music to bell choir. It has been widely performed and broadcast, including on the BBC. Examples include his First Symphony commissioned for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in the Royal Albert Hall conducted by Vernon Handley, and his Chichester Service commissioned for the Southern Cathedrals Festival and broadcast by the joint choirs of Chichester, Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals.
Frederick’s 45-minute orchestral ballet, Alice, was commissioned for the Stadttheater in Giessen, Germany and received ten performances. The Second Symphony and the Violin Concerto were both premiered at St John’s Smith Square. Other commissions in the field of choral music include Missa Pacis, for the Brompton Oratory, London and The Prayer of St Richard commissioned by Chichester Cathedral.
Frederick’s background as an organist, including as Organ Scholar of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and as Organist of St George’s Cathedral, London, has inspired many works for the instrument including Faith, Love, Hope and Archangels. In May 2026 The Son of Man, written for Paul Greally and dedicated to him, was first performed by Paul in a recital at Westminster Abbey. Here is the programme note for The Son of Man:
Important mentors for Frederick were the composers Howard Ferguson, Malcolm Williamson and Margaret Hubicki. His musical style has also been influenced by a special study of nineteenth-century harmonic theory which led to a PhD from the University of Manchester. His work as a teacher, including several years in the organ department of the Royal Academy of Music, also led to various tutors, including co-authorship of The New Oxford Organ Method with Anne Marsden Thomas and his own Scale Shapes.