Directory of Past Classical Organists

Extract from Cathedral Organists Past and Present
By John E. West
Published in 1921
Additional information from the British Newspaper Archive.

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Charles Donald Maclean	27^th Mar 1843 - 23^rd Jun 1916
Charles Donald Maclean was born at Cambridge, March 27, 1843. A pupil of Ferdinand Biller at Cologne. Director of the Music at Eton College, 1872. Resigned the post at Eton and was for some years resident in India. Eventually settled in London. Died June 23, 1916. Composer of an Oratorio, "Noah," a Cantata. "Sulmala," a Requiem Mass, Church Music, Orchestral Music, Chamber Music, Songs, Pianoforte pieces. Etc. Organist of Exeter College, Oxford, 1862 Eton College 1872 - 1875		Biographical Dictionary of the Organ Find a Grave Web site Unsung Composers Web site ETON. The College. The office of musical instructor at the College, vacant by Dr. Haynes's resignation, has been filled up by Dr. Hornby, the head master, with the selection Mr. Charles Donald Maclean, M.A., Mus. Doc, of Exeter College, Oxford, and formerly organist of Exeter College and of the Madras Cathedral, and conductor of the Madras Philharmonic Society. The post of organist, which is in the gift of the college, was also at the same time conferred on Dr. Maclean. Bucks Herald Saturday 13 April 1872 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) CIVIL SERVICE OF INDIA The undermentioned candidates, selected in 1964, have passed the "further examination":- Charles Donald Maclean. Madras (Mark = 1242) Saunders's News-Letter Tuesday 01 August 1865 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) In a Convocation holden on Friday. at two o'clock, a grace was passed granting permission to Charles Donald Maclean. Bachelor of Music, of Exeter College, to proceed to the degree of doctor in that faculty earlier than permitted by the statuses in order that he may proceed at once to India. Oxford Times Saturday 11 November 1865 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) MUSICAL NOTES The career of Dr. Charles Donald Maclean, who died recently, was peculiar, possibly unique, in the fact that he combined music with long period of work in India as an Indian Civil servant. Born in 1843, he was educated at Shrewsbury and Exeter College, Oxford, of which he was a scholar. He was organist of his college and took his degree of Doctor of Music at the early age of 22. For a few years he was organist and music director at Eton, being succeeded by Sir Joseph Barnby. In India he held appointments chiefly in Madras. Returning to England in 1593, he became general secretary of the International Musical Society, which before the war had its headquarters Leipzig. Dr. Maclean produced long list of musical compositions. Western Daily Press Monday 03 July 1916 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Charles Stewart Macpherson	20^th May 1870 - 28^th May 1927
Charles Stewart Macpherson was born in Edinburgh, May 20, 1870. Chorister in St. Paul's Cathedral. Student of the Royal Academy of Music. Sub-Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, 1895. Composer of an Orchestral Overture and two Suites, 137th Psalm for soli, chorus, and orchestra, Church Music, Part-songs, a Fantasy Prelude for the Organ. Arranger of Scottish Music. Editor of "The New Cathedral Psalter Chant Book" (Village Church Edition). Lecturer on musical subjects, Etc. Organist of St. David's, Weem, Aberfeldy, 1887; Private Chapel, Luton Hoo, Beds, 1889; St Paul's Cathedral, London 1916 - 1927	Charles Stewart Macpherson	Biographical Dictionary of the Organ Cyber Hymnal Web Site Composers For Organs Portrait Gallery Revolvy Web site FAMOUS ORGANIST DEAD LATE DR. MACPHERSON. Dr Charles Macpherson, the famous organist of St Paul ' s Cathedral, and whose association with the Cathedral covered almost the whole of his life, died in the street on Saturday afternoon. With his wife he had been to the Grosvenor Hotel, near Victoria Station, London, when he was suddenly taken ill, and fell on the pavement. His wife called a taxi-cab, and Dr Macpherson was assisted into this and taken to St George ' s Hospital. On arrival he was found to be dead-it is believed from heart failure. He had seemed in his usual health and good spirits up to the time of his seizure He was at St Paul's on Thursday and Friday evening, and on Saturday morning he was laughing and chatting with his friends. NATIVE OF EDINBURGH. Dr Macpherson, who was born in Edinburgh in 1870, was the son of the late Charles Macpherson, City Architect. He went to St Paul's as a choir boy in 1870, and was educated at the Choir School. Leaving St. Paul's, where he had also been an organ pupil in 1887, he was for about two years organist of St David's, Weem, near Aberfeldy. From 1889 until 1895 he was organist of the private chapel at Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, the residence of the late Madame de Falbe. In the latter years he was appointed sub-organist at St Paul's, and in 1916 succeeded Sir George Martin as organist. From 1890 he was, for five years, a student at the Royal Academy of Music, where he took the Charles Lucas Medal for Composition. Dr Macpherson (the degree was conferred by the University of Durham, honoris causa) produced a number of compositions, orchestral, chamber music, choral, and for organ. Among these are an Overture and an Orchestral Suite on Highland themes, which are still in manuscript, the orchestral "Hallowe'en," and the cantata, "By the Waters of Babylon." His "Te Deum" was written for the signing of peace in 1918. Dr Macpherson's marriage to Miss Newbolt, daughter of Canon Newbolt, had a peculiar interest in that it was the first wedding in St Paul's within living memory, as St Paul's is not licensed for marriages, and special permission and licence had to be obtained. Dr and Mrs Macpherson had one son, who is now at Uppingham School. In the leisure moments of a busy life, the late Dr Macpherson found recreation in sketching and golf. The Scotsman - Monday 30 May 1927 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Arthur Henry Mann	16^th May 1850 - 19^th Nov 1929
Arthur Henry Mann was born at Norwich, May 16, 1850. Chorister in Norwich Cathedral, and Assistant-Organist there to Dr. Z. Buck. Composer of Church Music, Organ Music, Part-songs, Etc. Editor of Talus's Motet for forty voices, and other music. One of the Compilers of the Music Catalogue of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Musical Editor of Church of England Hymnal, Etc. Organist of St. Peter's, Wolverhampton, 1870; Tettenhall Parish Church, 1871; Beverley Minster,1875; Kings College, Cambridge 1876 - 1929 Cambridge University 1897	Arthur Henry Mann	Wikipedia page Biographical Dictionary of the Organ Composers of Classical Music Web Site Cyber Hymnal Web Site Composers For Organs Portrait Gallery Revolvy Web site Hymnary Web site Choral Public Domain Library Web site 1882 Mus. Doc. Arthur Nenry Mann, New Coll. Extract: A short historical account of the degrees in music at Oxford and Cambridge. (Williams, C. F. Abdy) DR. A. H. MANN. Fatal Seizures of Famous Cambridge Organist. Dr. Arthur Henry Mann, University organist and organist of King's College Chapel, died at a Cambridge nursing home yesterday. He was in his eightieth year, and was one of the most distinguished musical figures at Cambridge. Dr. Mann played at the service at King's College Chapel on Sunday morning, and sung in the world-famous choir, as he was wont to do at unaccompanied services, in the afternoon. On Monday he had two seizures, which proved fatal. He was a native of Norwich. He secured his Mus.Bac.Oxon in 1875, and followed that with the Mus.Doc.Oxon the following year. In 1870 he became organist at St. Peter's, Wolverhampton, in 1871 of Tettenhall Parish Church, and in 1875 of Beverley Minster. He was organist of King's College Chapel at the early age twenty-six, which post he held until the day of his death. His knowledge of Handel was profound, and he was the composer hymn tunes which have remained prime favourites. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Wednesday 20 November 1929 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Charles George Marchant
Placeholder entry Organist of

E. G. Monk
Placeholder entry Organist of		Wikipedia page Biographical Dictionary of the Organ Dictionary of National Biography Composers of Classical Music Web Site Cyber Hymnal Web Site Composers For Organs Portrait Gallery Revolvy Web page Westminster Abbey Web Site Hymnary Web site Choral Public Domain Library Web site

F. Ouseley
Placeholder entry Organist of
Clement Charlton Palmer
Placeholder entry Organist of

Walter Parratt
Placeholder entry Organist of

Dodd Perkins	1750 - 9^th Apr 1820
Dodd Perkins Was a composer of Songs, Glees Etc. Two chants by him are contained in Dr. Beckwith's Collection. Died April 9 1820. Buried in the "Palm Churchyard"e. Organist of Wells Cathedral 1781 - 1819		Biographical Dictionary of the Organ

William Perkins	c.1784 - 11^th Nov 1860
William Perkins was the son of the Dodd Perkins. He wrote a Double Chant in E, traditionally known at Wells as " Malibran's Maria Felicia Malibran 24 Mar 1808 – 23 Sept 1836 Spanish singer who commonly sang both contralto and soprano parts, Chant," from the circumstance of that great singer joining in it at Wells Cathedral, August 22, 1830. Died November 11, 1860. Buried by the side of his father. Two Anthems by him, "I cried unto the Lord" and "O Lord, our Governour," are in the Cathedral books. Organist of Wells Cathedral 1819 - 1860		Biographical Dictionary of the Organ Deaths Nov. 11, Horsington, near Wells, William Perkins, Esq., aged 76. Deceased was for many years in the Commission of the Peace for Wells, and several times filled the civic chair. He was formerly the organist and vicarchoral of Wells Cathedral. Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 21 November 1860 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

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Directory of Past Classical Organists

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