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.
Frederick Stocken’s latest work is The Son of Man for organ. It was written for Paul Greally and first performed by him at Westminster Abbey in May 2026.
Sound files of this and other works are available at the bottom of this page.
The Son of Man is the latest in a series of works with strong spiritual 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 the instrument including Faith, Love, Hope and Archangels.
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 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 co-authorship of The New Oxford Organ Method with Anne Marsden Thomas and his own Scale Shapes.