Edmund Rubbra question?

[BFerrell]

Is it pronounced as in "rubber"  or "ruthless" ?

[eschiss1]

Knew a friend of his who died a few years back, and wish I remembered his answer better than I do because I think it was neither. Closer to roo than ruh, but have a vague recollection that it may have been interestingly a third alternative not immediately suggested (to me) by the spelling.

[Jimfin]

I've always wondered too! And another one: is Rootham pronounced with a "th" as in "thick", as in "that" or is it "Root-'am"?

[Alan Howe]

I've always assumed it was "Rub-rer" (rhyming roughly with "rubber") - and "Root'em" (rhyming with shoot'em!!)

[Dundonnell]

Edmund Rubbra's name is pronounced "Rubb-Ra"

[reiger]

Edmund Rubbra's name is pronounced "Rubb-Ra"

LOL... That settles it! An administrator can now close the discussion!

[eschiss1]

Yes, I'm glad that settles it - I'm glad my friend was just pulling my leg.

[Alan Howe]

Phew.....................

[Jimfin]

I'm fairly sure Ethel Smyth rhymed with "lithe". It is interesting how many British composers had unusual surnames and how few were called Jones, Smith, Green Brown and Chapman

[Lionel Harrsion]

I'm fairly sure Ethel Smyth rhymed with "lithe". It is interesting how many British composers had unusual surnames and how few were called Jones, Smith, Green Brown and Chapman

I recall reading somewhere (years ago now, so don't ask me where) that she pronounced it in the same manner as if it had been 'Smith' -- apparently, she said, "It's not Smythe, it's Smyth -- no final 'E'".  Also, for what it's worth, Dundonnell is undoubtedly correct about the pronunciation of Rubbra; my school music master was a pupil of Rubbra's and he pronounced it that way.   

[thalbergmad]

Threads like these are extremely important.

I once made a fool of myself with a very badly pronounced Faure, so the more composers I can pronounce correctly, the better.

Almost worth a thread of it's own.

Thal

[Alan Howe]

I'm also pretty sure it's Smyth as in 'Smith'. Can't quote chapter and verse, though.

[britishcomposer]

I remember a story told by Smyth that Germans had problems pronouncing her name correctly. Instead of saying 'Smyth' they said 'Schmeiß' which means something like dirt ord mud. There is also a certain fly, in English it's called blowfly, in German Schmeißfliege, because it frequents heaps of mud. So when Ethel arrived, Brahms used to say: 'Ah, die Schmeißfliege kommt!' 

[Jimfin]

I can't remember why I am so sure she pronounced it "Smyth" as in "lithe", but something in her memoirs, which I read a few times, made me sure of it. Sorry, I cannot quote chapter and verse at all, as I lost the book some years ago

[reiger]

I'm also pretty sure it's Smyth as in 'Smith'. Can't quote chapter and verse, though.

... speaking of "chapter and verse," here's what may well be the bible of composer pronunciation:

http://iowapublicradio.org/about-ipr/dictionary.html