'''Richard Stoker''' (born 8_November, 1938 in Castleford, Yorkshire) is a British composer and writer. He started playing the Piano at six; at seven he was composing. After initial encouragement from Arthur_Benjamin and Benjamin_Britten, he studied under Lennox_Berkeley at the Royal_Academy_of_Music and under Nadia_Boulanger in Paris. Stoker has declared the piano to be his favourite instrument, with the guitar a close second. He has produced a number of pieces for both instruments. Among his other works are operas, a Piano_concerto, three string quartets, three piano trios, song cycles, choral works, orchestral works and organ music. He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, and is a former editor of ''Composer'' magazine. Stoker is also a writer of fiction: he has published two novels, short stories and poetry, and has also written three plays. He has also exhibited drawings and paintings. Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard Stoker, Richard