The works of the stylistically independent composer Philip Sawyers have been increasingly often recorded in his later life. He has made a living primarily as an orchestral violinist, teacher, and examiner. In the late '60s, Sawyers issued several chamber works, beginning with the String Quartet No. 1 in 1968. His first major orchestral work was the Divertimento for string orchestra of 1970. In 1973, Sawyers joined the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden, as a violinist. As Sawyers' compositional output increased, his works began to be programmed more often, both in Britain and beyond. In 2015, he was named John McCabe Composer-in-Association by the English Symphony Orchestra; the orchestra released the album Philip Sawyers: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello; Viola Concerto; Remembrance for strings; Octet in 2023, by which time some 20 of the composer's works had been recorded.