This book is the first study of the Irish composer James Wilson (1922-2005). The first part of the book is a detailed biographical study of Wilson, from his birth and education in London through his wartime experiences in the Arctic to his decision to relocate to Ireland and become a fulltime composer. It throws light on the problems composers faced in Ireland in the period 1950-2000 caused by the lack of musical infrastructures, the difficulties in obtaining performances of pieces, the variable standards of performance and criticism and the near impossibility of getting either works...