The ‘official’ bio
Philip Goddard was born in 1942, at Harrow Weald, Middlesex — a north-western suburb of London. Currently he lives in Exeter, South-West England. He writes visionary symphonic, choral and organ works inspired by mountains, wilderness, nature and the spiritual dimension. He is largely self-taught, his work being influenced particularly by the English and Scandinavian music of the first half of the 20th century in addition to the visionary work of the French composers Alain and Messiaen. His interests range far wider, however — from pre-Baroque Church music through to recent visionaries and experimenters such as Iannis Xenakis and Harry Partch, and he has learnt from all these different styles and types of musical content without his individual voice being compromised.
His works include ten Symphonies, several large scale works for Chorus, works for Organ, and Chamber music. His more recent works are influenced by Eastern mystical traditions and use the rhythms and repetition of ancient Sanskrit Mantras. His works have been performed in the United States and Europe by such noted performers as organist Carson Cooman and saxophonist Paul Wehage.
One of the first generation of composers to use the resources of the internet to promote their works, he has produced MIDI realisations of his orchestral works which are widely acclaimed as being some of the most realistic and effective uses of this medium.
As from February 2002, Musik Fabrik in France has started to publish his works.
2025 addendum (unofficial!)
The above was written by my publisher, and was all that he wanted me to say about myself, so he must have been rather smarting as I was giving more and more info about myself (a big and multifaceted story) on my other sites, but now in my old age and with no performances and virtually no sales / hires over all these years, it's high time for me to override that rather petty restriction, which would have had relevance — if at all — only if my music works were my primary raison d'être.
Rather than my seeking to re-invent the wheel here, so to speak, I refer you to About Philip Goddard on my Clarity of Being site, and also to my pioneering and penetrating essay Musical influences on Philip Goddard's music & literary works.