British composers who were who in 1913

[Sydney Grew]

Something I have been meaning to do for some time is to go through Who's Who in Music (1913 edition) and pick out the information given there about all the people with a British background who are described there as "composers." (I think that the entries were mainly contributed by the subjects themselves.)

Many of the names have now become very obscure indeed, especially the church musicians and popular song-writers. In each case I have picked out any items which seemed to be of interest, especially the names of seldom-performed operatic works - of which there are a great many. And in some cases I have added more recent information if it is available.

It is noteworthy that quite a respectable number of lady-composers appears on this list. There are also a few Frenchmen and Germans hitherto unknown to me, but they are material for another thread.

So - taken in easy stages, a letter at a time. If any one would like to find out more about a particular composer, the book itself may of course be retrieved HERE. These are the nine composers whose name begins with 'A':

1) Benjamin Agutter, organist and composer.
   b. St. Albans, 1844.
   e. Mus.Bac. Oxon, 1870.
   Missa de Sancto Albano; Missa de Santo Petro; and other church music.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

2) William Clark Ainley, organist and composer.
   b. Kirkheaton, Yorks, 1834.
   A large number of anthems, including "Behold, O God our Defender" for the Jubilee, and other church music.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

3) George Aitken, pianist, composer and critic.
   b. London.
   His parents unconnected with music save as amateurs.
   Well known as composer of the charming songs "Lead Kindly Light," "Maire My Girl," "Jest Her Way"; also church music and chamber music.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

4) Walter Galpin Alcock, organist and composer.
   b. Edenbridge, Kent, 1861.
   Knighted in 1933.
   Mainly church and piano music; made numerous recordings, many of which were reissued in the 1990s.

5) John Carlowitz Ames, composer, pianist and conductor.
   b. Westbury-on-Trym, near Bristol, 1860.
   His father was George Acland Ames, and his mother's maiden name Countess Clara Poelzig.
   e. Charterhouse and Edinburgh University.
   A four-act opera, "The Last Inca"; incidental music; two piano concertos; 130th Psalm for chorus, soli and orchestra.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

6) Algernon Ashton, composer and pianist.
   b. Durham, 1859.
   Father: Charles Ashton, a tenor lay-clerk in Durham Cathedral.
   Studied under: Joachim Raff.
   Published close upon 150 compositions, including a series of 24 string quartets (now lost) in all the major and minor keys, and works for solo piano, piano trio, piano quartet and quintet, short choral works and songs. Ashton's orchestral music, which included five symphonies, overtures, an orchestral suite, a Turkish March, and violin and piano concertos, are all (according to Grove's Dictionary) "believed to have been lost in World War II."
   Hobbies: writing letters to the press; visiting the tombs of famous personages, in connection with which he has been the indirect means of restoring many noteworthy resting-places; listening to the debates in the House of Commons.
   Mr. Ashton is included in the Marquis de Ruvigny's Plantagenet Roll as a descendant of King Edward III.

7) Ivor Atkins, composer and organist.
   b. Cardiff, 1869.
   e. at Roath and privately.
   His compositions include the cantata "Hymn of Faith," the libretto to which was arranged by Sir Edward Elgar; and other church music.
   Knighted in 1921.

8) Florence Aylward, song writer.
   b. Brede Rectory, East Sussex, 1862.
   Father: Rev. Augustus Aylward, Rector of Brede.
   e. chiefly at home and at a school at Norwood.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

9) Howard Aynstey, conductor, composer and concert director.
   b. London, 1864.
   Father: Thomas Oldham Williams, accountant.
   Sister: Mme. Slapoffski (prima donna, grand opera).
   Brother: Philip Williams (actor).
   Nephew of Henry Haigh and Mme. Haigh Dyer (grand opera singers)
   e. Mercers' School, E.C.
   Composed several popular songs.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

[Robin]

Thanks, Sydney, this is great! I look forward to what is to follow. I see that a CD of Algernon Ashton's piano sonatas is on special offer on the Dutton website just at present...

[eschiss1]

I've been having a look at some of Ashton's surviving piano chamber music that's made it onto Sibley with some interest (not for performance- never was a good violist- but just general musicianly curiosity. *resusc.-cat*) Of the other names Alcock and Atkins ring at least vague bells, and I think a list of Ames' works was posted here just recently or else it wouldn't, for me anyway...

According to MusicSack, Ainley died in 1910, Alcock in 1947, Agutter in 1913. Aylward died in 1950 acc. to her VIAF entry. Aitken -born 1880s (maybe ca.1888?).
Aynstey- several publications in 1907, death date unknown (unless I luck out(?? well, for me. but they're already dead, it's true. sophistries...) and find a scanned-in obituary- as has happened a couple of times.)

[Sydney Grew]

Thanks for filling in those dates. There are rather a lot of composers beginning with "B" I fear; twenty-six in all:

10) Edgar Bainton, composer, pianist and teacher.
   Father: Rev. George Bainton, Congregational minister.
   e. Coventry Grammar School.
   First appeared in public at the age of eight as solo pianist at Coventry Corn Exchange.
   Compositions include Symphony in B flat, symphonic poem, "Pompilia," "Celtic Sketches" for orchestra, choral works, "The Blessed Damosel," "Sunset at Sea," one-act opera "The Crier by Night," and a choral Symphony.

11) H. Balfour-Gardiner, composer.
   b. London, 1877.
   Parents not especially musical, but fond of musical gatherings.
   e. at Margate, Folkestone, and East Sheen, and then Charterhouse. Then one year at Frankfort (Hoch's Conservatorium) under Iwan Knorr, and piano from Uzielli. In 1895 went to New College, Oxford.
   Principal compositions include seven orchestral works (a suite in A major, an overture, a symphony, etc.), a quintet and a quartet for strings, and some songs and choral works.
   [In Grove's Dictionary under "G" - thanks to secondfiddle for pointing this out.]

12) Granville Bantock, composer.
   b. London, 1868
   Father: Dr. George Granville Bantock, M.D., a well-known London physician.
   In 1908 he succeeded Sir Ed. Elgar as Professor of Music at the University of Birmingham.
   Among his most important compositions are a dramatic cantata, "The Fire Worshippers"; a lyrical drama in five acts, "Rameses II"; Ferishtah's Fancies"; "Thalaba the Destroyer"; "Fifine at the Fair"; "Helena" (variations for orchestra); "Songs of the East"; "The Witch of Atlas"; "Sappho"; "Ghazals of Hafiz"; "Lalla Rookh"; "Omar Khayyam," "The Time Spirit"; overture to a Greek Tragedy; "Dante and Beatrice"; "Atalanta in Calydon" (an unaccompanied choral symphony); "Sea-wanderers" and "Christ in the Wilderness" (1907); "Pierrot of the Minute" (1908); "Elektra" (1909); "Gethsemane" (1910); choral part songs, etc.

13) John Francis Barnett, composer and pianist, born 1837
   Father: Joseph Alfred Barnett, a tenor vocalist, and nephew of John Barnett the well-known composer.
   Among his most important compositions are: symphony in A minor, 1864; "The Ancient Mariner," 1867; "Paradise and the Peri," 1870; "The Raising of Lazarus," oratorio, 1876; "The Good Shepherd," 1876; "The Building of the Ship," Leeds, 1880; "The Wishing Bell," 1893; symphonic overture, 1868; overture, "A Winter's Tale," 1873; symphonic poem, "The Harvest Festival," 1881; also concerto for piano and other works for orchestra; chamber music, pianoforte solos, songs, etc.; he has written his "Musical Recollections and Impressions," published by Hodder and Stoughton. [This interesting work may be retrieved HERE].

14) Ethel Barns, violinist and composer.
   b. London.
   Her compositions include Concerto for violin and orchestra, produced at Queen's Hall Promenade Concerts, 1907, three Sonatas for violin and piano, two chamber Trios, numerous solos for violin, piano pieces and songs.

15) de Vere Barrow, pianist and composer.
   b. Sheerness, 1873.
   Father: Arthur Barrow, Captain in the Royal Navy.
   e. Clifton College.
   His principal compositions include three Polish dances and a number of songs
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

16) Charles Ainsley Barry, composer and author.
   b. London, 1830.
   e. Rugby and Trinity College, Cambridge.
   Has published numerous songs and pianoforte pieces, and has also written a symphony.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

17) Hubert Bath, composer.
   b. Barnstaple, 1883.
   e. at his father's school, Barnstaple.
   Compositions include Orchestral Variations (1905), "Wedding of Shon Maclean," (1910) "Legend of Nerbudda," "Look at the Clock," "Jackdaw of Rheims," and "Two Sea Pictures," (1909). Has written some 200 songs, numerous experiments in drama with spoken words to music, pianoforte pieces, and string quartet, piano trios, etc.

18) Arnold Bax, composer.
   b. London, 1883.
   Son of A. Ridley Bax and nephew of E. Belfort Bax, a well-known Socialist and philosophical writer.
   e. privately in London.
   Made his début as composer Nov., 1903, at old St. James's Hall. First published work "A Celtic Song Cycle" (1905). Principal works since include symphonic poems "Into the Twilight" (1908), Festival overture and "In the Fairy Hills" (1909), "Christmas Eve on the Mountains" (1911). For chorus and orchestra "Fatherland" 1907, "Enchanted Summer" (1909). Other orchestral works include a Ballet in 2 acts "King Kojata" (1911). Three orchestral pieces (1912) and chamber music, viz., 2 string quartets (1902, 1903) string quintett (1908). Trio for piano, violin, and viola (1906), violin sonata, piano pieces and many songs.

19) Herbert Bedford, composer.
   b. London, 1867.
   His principal compositions include an unpublished opera, "Kit Marlowe," a symphony, "The Optimist," a Love Scene, Act II., Scene 2 from "Romeo and Juliet." Nocturne for contralto voice and orchestra. Symphonic poem, "Sowing the Wind"; Symphonic interlude, "Over the Hills and far away"; orchestral suite, "Queen Mab"; melody for strings; a setting of Shelley's "Ode to Music," and other songs, etc.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

20) Kate Emil Behnke, composer and teacher of singing and speaking.
   Father: Emil Behnke.
   Miss Behnke was educated to carry on her father's work; he himself trained her voice, and she accompanied for him at all his lessons while quite a child.
   She is well known as a composer, her songs having been sung throughout Great Britain, America and Canada by Madame Blauvelt, Madame Blanche Marchesi, Madame Alice Esty, Miss Esther Palliser, and others.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

21) Arthur Henry Behrend, composer.
   b. Danzig, 1853.
   Son of Louisa Balfe (daughter of Michael Balfe), and Maximilian Behrend, a great Danzig merchant. Left Danzig at four years of age and came to England to his grandfather Balfe's house, and afterwards to a private school at Brighton; at twelve went to preparatory school for Harrow, and thence to Haileybury, where in 1871 he played cricket for the First XI.
   Has composed over 200 songs, among them some that attained a huge popularity, such as "Daddy," "Auntie," and "The Gift." He has also composed four cantatas and six operas, the latter unpublished; but of "Daddy" alone over 1,000,000 copies have been sold.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

22) W. H. Bell, composer.
   b. St. Albans, 1873.
   Father: Mr. Joseph Bell.
   e. St. Albans Grammar School.
   His first pubhc appearance as a composer was the performance of "Prologue to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales" by the Saturday Orchestra at Crystal Palace in 1898. Other orchestral works include "Three Chaucer Symphonic Poems" (1898-9), "Walt Whitman Symphony" (1900), "Song in the Morning" (1902), "Call of the Sea" (cantata) (1903), "Epithalamium" (1904), "Ballad of Bird Bride" (1905), "Love Among the Ruins" (1906), St. Albans Pageant Music (1907), Symphony (1908), etc. He has recently (1912) been appointed Principal of the new South African College of Music in Capetown.

23) Wilfred Bendall, composer and accompanist.
   b. London, 1850.
   Acted as secretary to Sir Arthur Sullivan during the last six years of his life, in which position his tact and knowledge as a man of business, so rarely combined in the person of a musician, were of the utmost value.
   Mr. Bendall has written much music of various kinds - operettas, cantatas, songs, etc., his "Lovers' Knots," "Quid pro Quo," "The Gipsies," etc., being performed at the Opéra Comique (now pulled down) and the Prince of Wales' theatres.

24) George John Bennett, composer and organist.
   b. Andover, 1863.
   e. Winchester College Chorister's School.
   His numerous compositions comprise overtures, orchestral pieces, church services, a Mass in B flat, piano pieces, songs and part songs.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

25) Francesco Berger, composer and teacher of pianoforte.
   b. London, 1834, of an Austrian father and a Bavarian mother.
   In conjunction with three other pupils of Luigi Ricci he composed an opera, "Il Lazzarone," produced with the greatest success in Trieste in 1851; wrote a further opera ("I ciarlatani") and a Mass; later returned to London, became well known as a composer, and in 1855 and 1857 wrote the Overture and Incidental Music to "The Lighthouse" and "The Frozen Deep," plays written by Wilkie Collins and acted by Charles Dickens and his amateur friends before her late Majesty. His part-song "Night, lovely Night," is an established favourite with choral societies, and among his many pianoforte successes "The Band Passes," "Tambourin," and a "Suite in G" may be especially mentioned; while from his songs, "Broken Vows," written for Miss Dolby (afterwards Madame Sainton-Dolby), "Hans Sachs" (written for Santley), and "Geraldine" (written for Sims Reeves) may be cited. Has published over 100 piano pieces and about the same number of songs, as well as part-songs, duets, trios, etc.
   His pianoforte primer, "First Steps at the Piano," is a standard work; and he has recently (1913) published a volume of Reminiscences. [The first of two such. He expired in 1933 at the age of ninety-eight.]

26) Frederick Charles Bevan, vocalist and song writer.
   b. London, 1856.
   He became well known as a concert singer, and later as a composer of popular songs; in 1906 he left England to take up an appointment in Australia.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

27) York Bowen, composer and pianist.
   b. Crouch Hill, London, 1884.
   From the first was educated for the musical profession.
   He has achieved considerable distinction as a composer, a concerto of his having been performed by the Philharmonic Society three years ago, while three pianoforte concertos have all been performed at Queen's Hall; has written a "Miniature Suite" and a "Second Suite," which are very well known, and a great deal of music for the viola.
   [Saint-Saëns thought him the finest of English composers; Sorabji too expressed his admiration.]

28) Ethel Mary Boyce, composer, pianist, and teacher.
   b. Chertsey, 1863.
   Father: George Boyce, J.P.
   Has composed a number of cantatas, orchestral works, pieces for violin and piano, songs, etc., some of which have been published by Novello.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

29) Alfred Herbert Brewer, composer, conductor, and organist.
   b. Gloucester, 1865.
   His compositions include a setting of "Psalm 98," "Dedication Ode," "The Holy Innocents," "A Song of Eden," and "Emmaus " (sacred cantatas), "England, my England," for Baritone solo and orchestra, "Summer Sports," suite for chorus and orchestra, " Love's Philosophy" (male voices), "Elizabethan Pastorals," "In Springtime" (English pastorals), "Sir Patrick Spens," "Age and Youth" (two orchestral pieces); he has also written several services, including "Evening Service in C," organ pieces, part songs, anthems, songs, pieces for violin and piano, and an operetta, "Rosamund."
   [He was knighted in 1926.]

30) Frank Bridge, composer and conductor.
   b. Brighton, 1879
   Father: William Henry Bridge.
   Has written a good deal of chamber and orchestral music, including string quartet and sextet, for piano and strings, a Trio, quartet in E minor and quintet. Orchestral works include "Isabella," "Dance Rhapsody," and Suite, "The Sea."

31) Sir John Frederick Bridge, organist, composer, and conductor.
   b. Oldbury, near Birmingham, Worcestershire, 1844.
   His Father: John Bridge, was not at that time connected with the famous old cathedral of Rochester that is now so intimately associated with his name.
   His compositions include "Mount Moriah," oratorio; "Boadicea," cantata; "Hymn to the Creator"; "Rock of Ages" (Gladstone's Latin translation); "Callirhoë," cantata; "The Repentance of Nineveh," oratorio; "The Lord's Prayer" (from Plumpton's version of Dante's "Purgatorio"); "The Cradle of Christ"; choral ballads, "The Festival," "The Inchcape Bell," "The Flag of England," "The Forging of the Anchor," and "The Ballad of the Champion" ; concert overture, "Morte d'Arthur"; chamber music and sonatas for organ; songs from Shakespeare, and a number of anthems and odes for State occasions.
   Received the honour of knighthood in 1897.
   He has, in his hours of leisure, compiled "The Shakespeare Birthday Book of Musicians," containing a musical quotation from Shakespeare for every day in the year, together with the birthdays of eminent British and foreign musicians.

32) Joseph Cox Bridge, organist and composer.
   Younger son of the late John Bridge and brother of Sir John Frederick Bridge.
   b. Rochester, 1853.
   Has composed numerous cantatas, orchestral pieces, a symphony, and other works.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

33) Dora Estella Bright (Mrs. Knatchbull), pianist and composer.
   b. Sheffield, 1863.
   Father an excellent amateur musician.
   In 1891 she played her own Pianoforte Concerto in A Minor, at the Crystal Palace; in 1892 she played the solo part in her own Fantasia for pianoforte and orchestra at a Philharmonic Concert. In addition to the works already mentioned, she has written an Air with Variations for the Orchestra; a second Pianoforte Concerto; a quartet in D for pianoforte and strings; also numerous pieces for the piano, violin and piano, flute and piano, and songs. She also composed the music for a Ballet Scena, which was danced by Mlle. Adeline Genée at the Playhouse in 1907.

34) Edward Bunnett, organist and composer.
   b. Shipdham, near East Dereham, Norfolk, 1834.
   e. Norwich Cathedral by Dr. Zechariah Buck.
   Dr. Bunnett has written a good deal of popular Church music, including a cantata, "Rhineland," and many anthems and pieces for the organ.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

35) Herbert Bunning, composer and conductor.
   b. London, 1863.
   e. Harrow and Brasenose College.
   Married Marguerite Wilhelmine, Marquise de Moligny.
   Has composed numerous orchestral pieces; also an opera, "La Princesse Osra"; "Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere," tenor scena; and songs and incidental music to "Robin Hood."
   Club: Boodles.
   Not in Grove's Dictionary.

[giles.enders]

The British Music Society is planning to bring out a new and updated version of its dictionary of British Composers at the end of this year.

You have also omitted Kathleen Bruckshaw 1877-1921,whose piano concerto was played at the proms at about that time

[Jimfin]

How strange to think of John Barnett still being around in the year Britten was born and "Falstaff" written! Herbert Bedford was, I believe, Liz Lehmann's husband and an ancestor of Steuart and David Bedford

[britishcomposer]

Bedford made a name for himself in writing unaccompanied songs which created quite a stir. These had nothing to do with folksong or gregorian chant. He wrote an essay about his intentions and methods. According to Stephen Banfield he wished to free song 'from the tyranny of the accompaniment, and he showed a timely appreciation of the imaginative value of silence.'
Banfield gives two examples in his book 'Sensibility and English Song'.

[edurban]

Fun stuff!  Interesting to read Berger's connection to the Dickens/Collins (or Collins/Dickens) plays...I don't suppose this instrumental music has survived or it would have figured in the Dickens anniversary year.  (Perhaps it has and the echoes just haven't reached these shores.)

The little bits of incidental biographical info are great... Behrend's cricket prowess or Bunning's aristocratic wife and club membership.

David

[Sydney Grew]

. . . You have also omitted Kathleen Bruckshaw 1877-1921 . . .

Thanks for adding the name of Kathleen Bruckshaw. Although there is at the end of the book a small group of people whose entries "arrived too late for inclusion in correct alphabetical order", she is not there, so either she was invited to be in the book but declined, or her response arrived too late even for the section at the end, or for some reason she was not invited at all! Actually I have no idea how complete this book was, although I have not yet noticed any obvious omissions . . . but just now I see that the name "Delius" is missing from the "D" section!

Anyway, here are the twenty-nine composers whose names began with "C":

36) John Mais Capel, composer and conductor.
   b. Lennoxville, Canada, 1862.
   Father: the Rev. A. D. Capel, M.A. Camb.
   Has for many years been a successful writer of songs; his published songs number over one hundred.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

37) Mary Grant Carmichael, pianist and composer.
   b. Birkenhead.
   She was for some time well known as an accompanist at the Monday Popular Concerts, and also achieved considerable distinction as a composer, chiefly of songs; she has also composed an operetta, "The Snow Queen," and several pieces for the piano. She translated Ehrlich's "Celebrated Pianists of the Past and Present," published in 1894.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

38) Frank Osmond Carr, composer.
   b. Yorkshire, 1858
   e. privately and at Cambridge.
   Has composed the music to a large number of musical comedies and light operas, including "Joan of Arc," 1891; "Blue-Eyed Susan," 1892; "In Town," 1892; "Morocco Bound," 1893; "Go Bang," 1894; "His Excellency," comic opera, written in conjunction with W. S. Gilbert, 1894; "Biarritz," 1896; "Lord Tom Noddy," 1896; "My Girl," 1896; "The Rose of the Riviera," 1899; ballet, "Roger de Coverley," produced at the Empire Theatre, 1907, etc.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

39) Ivan Caryll (John Tilkin), composer and conductor.
   b. Liège, Belgium
   e. Liège Conservatoire
   Composer of a large number of the Gaiety musical pieces; composed additional music to "Ma Mie Rosette," by Lacome, and to "La Cigale," by Audran; composed music of "The Lucky Star"; "The Duchess of Dantzic"; "The Earl and the Girl"; "The Little Cherub"; "The New Aladdin"; "Nelly Neil"; "The Girls of Gottenburg"; "Our Miss Gibbs"; "The Pink Lady"; is the musical director at Gaiety Theatre.
   [Grove's Dictionary gives him the stage name Félix Tilkin, not John.]

40) François Cellier, composer and conductor.
   b. London, 1849.
   Of French extraction, and brother of the late Alfred Cellier.
   Was for twenty years conductor and musical director at the Savoy Theatre, during the run of the famous series of Gilbert and Sullivan operas; is now musical director of the D'Oyly Carte Company. Composer of several operettas, including "Mrs. Jarramie's Genie" (written in conjunction with his late brother), "Captain Bill" and "Old Sarah."
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary, but his brother is there.]

41) Robert Chignell, composer and bass-baritone.
   b. Romsey, Hants, 1882.
   He has composed a number of orchestral works, including two Tone-poems, Serenade Humoresque, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Romance for violin and orchestra, two Scenes from the North Sea (Heine) for baritone and orchestra, etc., and an unpublished opera, "Romeo and Juliet," the prelude to which was performed at Harrowgate in October, 1912.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

42) J. Moir Clark, composer.
   b. Aberdeen, 1863.
   Compositions include a quintette for piano and strings (1892), also numerous pieces for the piano, a Scotch suite for orchestra (1895), an air with variations for piano (1889); he has also written a suite and other pieces for flute and piano, and a Polonaise for violin and piano, as well as numerous songs.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

43) Algernon Clarke, conductor, composer and violinist.
   b. Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, 1864.
   Son of John Algernon Clarke, organist and 'cellist, and his wife Charlotte Winter, contralto.
   e. at Birmingham.
   [No further details about his compositions. Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

44) Cuthbert Edward Clarke, musical director and composer.
   b. Hampstead, 1869.
   Father, an artist by profession, being an amateur violinist.
   e. at Boulogne (France), Collegiate School, Camden Town, and Frith Street, Soho.
   Composed a suite entitled "Forest Nymphs," which a critical Manchester audience received with favour. He has composed the music of many ballets, "High Jinks," "The Debutante," "Dancing Doll," and "Harvest Home," a vocal ballet performed all over the country. He has also composed and arranged music for the Revues "Come Inside," "Hello, London!" and "Everybody's Doing It." Also many musical monologues.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

45) Robert Coningsby Clarke, song writer.
   b. Woolwich, 1879.
   Father the late Colonel Clarke, R.A., C.M.G., Surveyor-General of Ceylon.
   e. at Marlborough and Trinity College, Oxford, and as a private pupil of Sir Frederick Bridge.
   Has written numerous songs, which are characterised by musicianly qualities, including "To Carnations," "A Birthday Song," "Say not Good-bye," "Take your Lute and Sing," "A Bowl of Roses," "The Linnet," "Oh my Garden full of Roses," "Poppies for Forgetting," "Master and Man," "You'll get heaps o' lickin's," "A Dedication," "Betty's Way," "The Night and You," "A Sheaf of Little Songs" (3 vols.), "Songs of Summer," "The Perfect Tune" (song cycles), "Rustic Songs" (series), etc.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

46) Frederic Cliffe, pianist and composer.
   b. Low Moor, near Bradford, 1857.
   His symphony in C Minor was produced at the Crystal Palace in 1889; the following year his orchestral picture, "Cloud and Sunshine," was produced by the Philharmonic Society; his second symphony, entitled "A Summer Night," was first performed at the Leeds Festival in 1892, and his Violin Concerto at the Norwich Festival in 1896. He has composed an "Ode to the North-East Wind" (Sheffield Festival, 1905), and a large number of songs.

47) Julian Clifford, composer, conductor, solo pianist.
   b. London, 1877.
   Father: Thomas Clifford, barrister-at-law.
   e. at Tonbridge, Ardingly and Leipzig Conservatoire.
   [No further details about his compositions. Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

48) G. H. Clutsam, composer and musical critic [and former pianist].
   b. Sydney, New South Wales, 1867.
   He now devotes himself to composition, and has published some 150 songs and many pianoforte pieces. A cantata, the "Quest of Rapunzel," was produced by the Queen's Hall Choral Society in 1909. In 1910 Mr. Beecham produced the one-act opera, "A Summer Night," at His Majesty's Theatre and Covent Garden; another one-act opera, "After a Thousand Years," was produced at the Tivoli, and was followed by a fantastic memodrame, "The Pool," at the Alhambra. His latest operatic work, "King Harlequin," was produced with success in Berlin, November, 1912.
   He has been musical critic on the Observer since 1908.

49) Thomas Henry Collinson, organist, composer and conductor.
   b. Alnwick, 1858.
   Has composed and published anthems and church services.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

50) Arthur Cooke, pianist [and composer, singer, and conductor].
   b. West Bromwich, 1879.
   Son of Arthur William Cooke and his wife Ellen Eliza Wake; is a direct descendant of Hereward the Wake on his mother's side.
   e. Wesleyan School, West Bromwich.
   First appeared as a solo pianist at a concert in West Bromwich, 1894; has since been engaged at the Queen's Hall Promenade Concerts, 1905-12, and Symphony Concerts, February, 1913, in Scriabine's "Prometheus" (first performance in England); played Delius's Pianoforte Concerto (Philharmonic) and at Palladium, London, 1911, with Beecham Orchestra.
   His compositions include a suite for strings, pianoforte trio, pianoforte and violin sonata, cantata, "The Fountain of Tears," and numerous songs.
   Recreations: Football and billiards.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

51) William Waddington Cooke, pianist and composer.
   b. West Keel, Lincolnshire, 1868.
   e. privately.
   He has completed a light opera, and has written some highly successful songs.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

52) Frederick Corder, composer, teacher and journalist.
   b. London, 1852.
   Son of Micah Corder, merchant and amateur musician, and Charlotte Corder, amateur pianist.
   e. at Blackheath Proprietary School.
   His opera, "Nordisa," was produced by the Carl Rosa Company in 1887, and he has also composed numerous works for the orchestra as well as songs and other compositions, among which a motet in fifty parts for female voices should be mentioned. He wrote the English versions of Wagner's operas, published 1880-2.
   He is an ardent book collector, a devotee of chess, and is interested in most things save politics and sport. He founded the Society of British Composers in 1905.

53) Paul W. Corder, composer and teacher.
   b. London, 1879.
   Son of Frederick Corder.
   Composed opera, "Grettir the Strong" (1901); "The Moon Slave," a terpsichorean fantasia (1902); "Dross," a wordless music-drama (1905); overture, "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1903); orchestral fantasia, "Morar" (1906), "The Dryad" ballet, 1908, and numerous similar works chiefly for piano.
   [Grove's Dictionary gives him one line in his father's entry.]

54) Mlle. Ghita Corri (Mrs. Neville Lynn), operatic and concert vocalist [and composer].
   b. Edinburgh.
   Daughter of Henry Corri (leading baritone at Covent Garden, and founder of Corri's Opera Company, which opened up the provinces for grand opera before Carl Rosa and similar companies were started), and Mdme. Ida Gillies Corri.
   e. privately.
   Composer of "Coronation," "The Land of Light," "Love Dreams," "Say Yes," "Have Faith," and several other published songs.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary - nor is her father.]

55) Claudius H. Couldery, composer and pianist.
   b. Lewisham, 1842.
   Father: Mr. R. H. Couldery, a landscape painter and amateur musician, amongst whose works are twelve études published in Germany and England by Messrs. Schott & Co.
   Chief works: sacred cantatas, "Christ's Entry into Jerusalem," and "The Penitence and Praise of David"; patriotic cantata, "For Valour"; a series of three cantatas for female voices: (1) "The Building of the Ship" - the original MS. of which Her Majesty Queen Alexandra graciously accepted, in June, 1906 (2) "Carmen Puellis," (3) " A Pageant of Queens"; Concert Overture in F (1885); overture, "To the Memory of a Hero" (1890); a Romance in A flat, a Cradle Song, an Andante Religioso for organ, harp and orchestra; a Trumpet and Organ Fantasia (1898), besides numerous pianoforte compositions.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

56) Henry Coward, conductor [and composer].
   b. Liverpool, 1849.
   Was originally apprenticed to the cutlery business, taking several prizes as a superior craftsman. Later gained Mus. Bac. and Mus. Doc. at Oxford.
   He has been an industrious composer, his works including a cantata, "Magna Charta," 1882; "Queen Victoria," 1885; "The Story of Bethany," 1891; "The King's Error," first performed at the Tonic Festival at the Crystal Palace; "Heroes of Faith," 1895; and numerous anthems, Sunday-school songs, school songs, glees, hymns, etc.
   He has just completed a tour of the world with 200 of his chorus.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

57) James Munro Coward, organist and composer.
   Father: the late James Coward, organist.
   Among his compositions is a cantata "The Fishers" (1889), and a Jubilee Hymn, for chorus and military band (1897); has also composed a large number of pieces for the American and Mustel organs.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

58) Frederic Hymen Cowen, composer and conductor.
   b. Kingston, Jamaica, 1852.
   Father: Frederick Augustus Cowen, secretary to the late Earl of Dudley.
   At the age of eight, composed an opera, "Garibaldi," which was performed privately. In 1864 a trio which he had written for violin, 'cello and piano was performed at a concert at Dudley House by Joachim, Piatti and himself. His first pianoforte concerto and his earliest symphony were performed at the St. James's Hall in December, 1869. His first important choral work, "The Rose Maiden," was successfully produced when he was eighteen, and is still a popular work with musical societies. In 1871 among his most important compositions was a symphony, also an overture. In 1873 he visited Italy, with a view to the composition of an opera on "The Lady of Lyons." In 1876 he wrote a cantata, "The Corsair," on Byron's poem, while his opera "Pauline" was produced by Carl Rosa. In 1880 he wrote his famous "Scandinavian Symphony." The following year he wrote the cantata "St. Ursula." His "Welsh Symphony" was composed in 1884, after which came "The Sleeping Beauty," 1885, and the oratorio "Ruth," 1887. In 1887 his Symphony No. 5 in F was first performed. In 1888 he offered himself as Principal of the R.A.M., but withdrew his candidature on receiving the offer to act as conductor of the concerts at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition at a fee of £5,000, an offer which he accepted. In 1889 he composed the cantata "St. John's Eve." His opera "Thorgrim" was produced in 1890, and his next opera, "Signa," was first produced in Milan in 1893. One more opera, "Harold," the libretto of which was written by Sir Edward Malet, was produced in 1895. His subsequent principal compositions are "The Transfiguration," sacred cantata, 1895; "In Fairyland," Suite de Ballet, 1896; "Four Old English Dances," 1896; "Idyllic Symphony" (No. 6); "Dream of Endymion," scena for tenor, 1897; "Concertstuck," for pianoforte and orchestra; "Ode to the Passions," 1898; "The Butterflies' Ball," overture, 1900; "Phantasy of Life and Love," for orchestra, 1901; "Coronation Ode" and "Coronation March," 1902; "Indian Rhapsody," for orchestra, 1903; "John Gilpin," cantata, 1904; "Four Old English Dances" (2nd set), 1905, and an oratorio "The Veil" (1910). He has composed about 300 songs, many of which have achieved extraordinary popularity, such as "It was a Dream," "The Better Land," "The Promise of Life," "Because." [Many more particulars, especially about performances, may be found in the book.]

59) William Creser, composer and conductor.
   b. York, 1844.
   Father being choirmaster at St. John's Church.
   His compositions include numerous oratorios, including "The Sacrifice of Freia," produced at the Leeds Festival, 1889; an "Old English Suite" for orchestra, 1896; and he has also written a quantity of chamber music, including a quartet for strings, a trio for pianoforte and strings, a sonata for piano and violin, and organ pieces.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

60) Edward George Croager, organist and conductor [and composer].
   b. London, 1861.
   Has composed a number of anthems, hymn tunes, etc., and a patriotic cantata, "Our Watchword," performed by the West Hampstead Choral and Orchestral Society in 1888.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

61) John Crook, composer and conductor.
   Composer of numerous musical pieces and operas produced in London, including "Lancelot the Lovely," "Jaunty Jane Shore," "Claude Duval," "Don Quixote," "Venus," "Orpheus," "Quits," "Lady Slavey," "New Barmaid," "King Kodak" (part composer), "Young Recruit" (part composer), "Sage and Onions" and "King's Dragoons"; composer of a large number of songs; wrote incidental music to "Peter Pan" and to J. M. Barrie's wordless play, "Pantaloon," produced at Duke of York's, 1905, and twice played by command before the late King Edward and Queen Alexandra during the same month.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

62) Frederick J. Crowest, writer on music, editor, organist and composer.
   b. London, 1860.
   e. London and Italy.
   Became favourably known as a tenor singer under the name of Arthur Vitton.
   Among his published works are the following: "The Great Tone Poets," Bentley, 1874; "Book of Musical Anecdotes," Bentley, 1878; "Phases of Musical England," Remington, 1881; "Musical History and Biography," 1883; "Advice to Singers," "Great Musicians" (Series), Sampson Low; "Musical Groundwork," 1890; "Dictionary of British Musicians," Jarrold, 1895; "The Story of British Music," etc.
   [No further details about his compositions. Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

63) William Hayman Cummings, tenor vocalist, composer, conductor, musical antiquarian.
   b. at Sidbury, Devonshire, 1831.
   He is the composer of several prize glees and songs, a cantata [The Fairy Ring], as well as a primer on the Rudiments of Music (Novello), and some sacred music.
   He has of late years devoted much time to literary and antiquarian pursuits, and is the owner of a famous library of rare musical works, including a wonderful collection of MSS.; he is also an ardent fisherman.

64) Richard Cummings, baritone and teacher of singing [and minor composer].
   b. London, 1857.
   Son of Joseph Cummings.
   e. Temple Church Choir School.
   Has composed many songs, etc., in MS.
   [Not in Grove's Dictionary.]

[Paul Barasi]

Comedy of Errors? Indeed: composed in 1911 by Cecil Coles and, alas, if he didn't make it onto the 1913 list, then he would doubtless fall in the last months of the Great War without ever having got on such a list at all. At that's a real shame, as what he left behind him is well worth hearing and gives us some inkling of his potential. (Mind you,
if the site settles on a 1918 cutoff, that may be all we'd end up with here anyway!)

[chill319]

What fun! It's interesting to search for the word 'symphony' in the developing list.

[eschiss1]

Re Julian Clifford see Wikipedia. Large article...

Hrm. Would rather have a -good- string quartet than a bad symphony.  Or a stunning brief song than a mediocre either. I think Carl Nielsen (e.g.) wrote really good symphonies but the pearl of his output is a few of his songs- but don't expect many to agree. But expect the point of the question of who wrote a symphony among these was something else...

[eschiss1]

(btw P. Sear has performed a few of Paul Corder's preludes on his YouTube channel, and Paul Corder also gets a Wikipedia article. He did write a violin concerto, and a string quartet and a couple of operas, though I don't know if they survive, and his Heroic Elegy for piano of 1919 I've seen mentioned a time or three (maybe while looking up his father's elegy for 24 violins and organ of 1908...)

[chill319]

Would rather have a -good- string quartet than a bad symphony.  Or a stunning brief song than a mediocre either.

Me too, Eric. But I'll bet you agree that often goes beyond fun.

For me the fun lies in learning something new. A number of 'symphony' hits in the list are from composers already well known to participants in this site. Then there are the other hits... I'm going to assume (just for fun) that at least one or two of them are rather good, even unexpectedly good. Worth looking out for.

[eschiss1]

No argument there either!