He was the first Welsh composer to have a major concert venue named after him (Hoddinott Hall at Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre).
His many honors include the Arnold Bax Medal for composers, a CBE, and honorary membership in the Royal Academy of Music. He co-founded the Cardiff Festival with pianist John Ogdon.
His first big success came when he was 25; his Clarinet Concerto was premiered at the Cheltenham Festival by soloist Gervase de Peyer and the Halle Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli.
He won a university scholarship at age 16. He graduated from Cardiff University, where he later became a professor of music.