Directory of Past Classical Organists

The next was a Minuet in the ancient style, written by Charles Quarles, sometime organist at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Raynor had been organist at Newark prior to his appointment at Lincoln. Raynor proved less than satisfactory. He amused himself by attempting to throw the soloists Off their stride in the anthems. Brought before the chapter following one such incident in 1771 when a Mr Binns, one of the vicars choral, found himself singing one anthem, whilst Raynor played the Organ in the Tune of a different Anthem whereby the Singer was interrupted and the Choir put into Confusion; he was rebuked; some years later (1784) he abused and threatened the Dean 'in the grossest manner', and his services were dispensed with.

William Weaver Ringrose

Mr. George Riseley, cx-Sheriff of Bristol, died to-day, aged 87. For many years conducted the Bristol Musical Festival, the Bristol Choral Society, and the Royal Orpheus Glee Society, and for fully 50 years he was the leading personality in musical circles in the West of England. The Royal Orpheus Glee Society gave Royal command performances at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle under Mr. Riseley. Mr. Riseley was articled 70 years ago to the organist Bristol Cathedral, and was appointed organist and choirmaster in 1876. founded the Bristol Society of Instrumentalists in 1877, and became conductor to the Royal Orpheus Glee Society in following year. He was conductor of the Bristol Choral Society for many years,

By the death or Dr. J. Varley Roberts, which. has just taken place at Oxford, British Church music Ioses a. predominant figure. The deceased musician was a, Yorkshirernan having been born at Stanningley, near Leeds, on September 25th, 1841. His talent developed early, and at 12 years of age he held a responsible position as organist at Farsley, near Leeds, After filling a number of positions as organist and choirmaster in mid-Yorkshire, including that at Halifax Parish Church, he was, in 1882, elected organist and master of the choristers at Magdalen College, Oxford, succeeding Sir Walter:. Parratt, and it was while occupying this position —which is regarded as one of the plums of the musical profession—that his wide fame was built up,

An unfinished symphony left by Dr. Cyril Bradley Rootham, the 62-years old composer, who died at his home at Cambridge yesterday from pneumonia, will be completed by Dr. Patrick Hadley, his friend and former pupil.
Dr. Rootham had been working on the composition of his second symphony for two years, but latterly his hands had failed him and he dictated the work to his pupils. The sketch is finished, but part of the scoring is incomplete. Dr. Rootham left it with Dr. Hadley for the instrumentation for orchestra to be completed.
The composer’s works were frequently broadcast by the B.B.C. one, "Brown Earth," a fortnight ago.
He was University lecturer in form and analysis of music from 1913-18, and conductor of the University Musical Society for 14 years until 1936. He had been Fellow since 1914, and organist since 1901, of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
Formerly organist at St. Asaph Cathedral, Dr. Rootham examined for musical degrees at Cambridge University and conducted performances of works in the Cambridge Theatre between 1911 and 1928.

The King has appointed Mr Edgar Stanley Roper, F. R. C. O., to be organist, choirmaster, and composer at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, in room of the late Dr Charles Harford Lloyd

Dr. Edgar Stanley Roper, former organist, choirmaster and composer at the Chapels Royal died to-day. He would have been 75 next month. He had been critically ill at his home in Streatham Hill, London.
For over SO years he was suborganist or organist at the Chapels Royal, a record unequalled by any of his predecessors, who included Thomas Tails, William Byrd, Henry Purcell, and Orlando Gibbons.
He took part in the Coronation ceremonies of King Edward VII. King George V. and King George VI. He was organist at Westminster Abbey for tie funeral service of the Unknown Warrior, and wrote the special settings for the Te Deum and the Benedictus for the Coronation of King George VI. to whom the work was dedicated.

On the 16th inst., at 21, Holywell-street, Millbank, in the 78th year of his age, John Bernard Sale, Esq., formerly musical instructor to her Majesty.

It will be learnt with regret that Mr. Bertram Luard Selby, who was formerly organist of Rochester Cathedral, died onBoxing Day in his sixty-sixth year, at Winterton Vicarage, Lincolnshire

Dr. George Robertson Sinclair. Mus. Doc., Hon. F.R.C.0.. Hon. R.A.M., L.R.A.M.. organist of Hereford Cathedral and conductor Birmingham Festival Society, died suddenly at Birmingham on Wednesday night. He conducted a rehearsal in the city, and afterwards went to his hotel, where, at 11.30, he was found in his bedroom in state of collapse. "Medical assistance was summoned, but death took place before the doctor arrived. Dr. Sinclair, who was54years of age, was well known in English musical circles, Born at Croydon in 1863, and educated atSt. Michael's College, Tenbury, of which was honorary fellow.Dr. Sinclair studiedmusic under Sir F. Ouseley. Sir Robert Stewart, and Dr. C. H. Lloyd. He was assistant organist at Gloucester Cathedral, and organist and choirmaster St. Mary de Crypt Church, Gloucester (1880); and at the age 17 was appointed organist and choirmaster of Truro Cathedral. As conductor of the Three Choirs Festivals at Hereford Cathedral, where went in 1889, Dr. Sinclair is best known to music lovers in this part the country. He filled this role during the time he was at Hereford eight, times, viz., 1891-4-7, 1900-3-6-9-12. The fact of his appointment as conductor to the Birmingham Festival Choral is sufficient testimony to the esteem in which he was held in the larger world of music. He also conducted the Hereford Choral Society, the Herefordshire Orchestral Society, the Diocesan Choral Union, and the Ross Musical Society; was Grand Organist to the Freemasons' Grand Lodge of England; Grand Organist to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons (1903) and Grand Organist to the Supremo Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch (1909). In music his tastes were catholic, and his abilities both as an executant and conductor of a high order; he was also a composer of merit. In his leisure hours he hobbied in motor-cycling and photography. His death will be much regretted in the musical world .

Sir George Thomas Smart, the veteran organist of the Chapel Royal, St. James's, died in London on Saturday, in his 92nd year.
He was born in 1776, was knighted in 1811, and was for many years an eminent and successful teacher of music He succeeded Mr. Charles vett, as organist of the Chapel Royal in 1822. on the nomination of the late Archbishop of Canterbury (Howley) when Bishop of London and Dean of the Chapels Royal.
Sir George directed the music at the coronations of King William IV. and Queen Victoria, and, as a conductor, had directed above 1020 oratorios.
Weber was an intimate friend of his, and lived for a long time at his house; and Jenny Lind studied the "Messiah" with him preparatory to her first memorable appearance in English oratorio.

We learn from the Hereford Times that the memorial to the late George Townshend Smith, for 34 years the accomplished organist of Hereford Cathedral, and one of the most genial men that ever lived, has taken the form of a window, which has been fixed in the clerestory of the north transept.
The originally proposed idea of a mural tablet of incised marbles was given up in a ccordance with the wishes of the Dean and Chapter.
The window consists of seven circles, arranged to form a rose-shaped design. The central circle is two feet in diameter; each of the smaller circles is about one foot in diameter. The subject of the central circle is that of David playing on the harp. This circle also contains the words "David Rex," let in on the left side of the figure. The smaller circles contain each an angel figure playing upon a stringed instrument, varied for each circle. In these circles also occur the words "Alleluia" and "Holy, Holy, Holy." In a border surrounding the central circle is contained the inscripion—"George Townshend Smith, ob. Aug., 1877, ret 63." The prevailing colours are Prussian blue, ruby, orange, and white. "The great height of the window caused, many to express a doubt whether the colours and figures would be seen at all, but now that the memorial is erected, surprise has been expressed at the beauty of the colouring arid clearness of outline of the subjects at a height of 62 feet from the floor. This reflects great credit upon the artists, Messrs Clayton and Bell, of Regent street, London, and shows that the position of the window was carefully borne in mind in preparing the design and colours. The work of fixing the glass in the cathedral has been carefully carried out under the superintendence of Mr. Hobart Clarke, sculptor, of Portland-street, Hereford. The window has a rich and artistic appearance, and is conidered to be an ornament to the spot where it is placed.
The thanks of the subscribers are due to the Dean and Chapter for having granted them so visible and favourable a site.
An ornamental brass had previously been placed on the south wall near the back of the organ by the widow and daugh-tors of the demised.

Somewhere about 1780 John Stafford Smith wrote "The Anacreoutic Song" for a Society with that name London. Some years later an American wrote words fit the tune and it became "The Star Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the U.S.A.
John Stafford Smith, born in and educated in Gloucesterwas the second son Martin Smith, organist of Gloucester Cathedral.
Next year marks the bi-centennary of John Stafford Smith's birth and a move being considered mark it In suitable fashion Gloucester.

Mr Charles Frederick South, organist of Salisbury Cathedral, has died nis residence, The Close, Salisbury, at the age of sixty-six. He had held the position over 32 years, being appointed in January, 1884.

June 6th, Mr. Samuel Spofforth, aged 84 upwards cf thirty seven years organist of the Cathedrsl Lichfield

News was received in Oxford on Monday of the death of Sir John Stainer at Verona.
He was taking a tour on the Continent, and his death, it is believed, was sudden.
Sir John Stainer will be best remembered, perhaps, as awriter of church music. He was an enthusiastic disciple of Dykes, and believed, as Dykes did, in the great educating influence of fine words accompanied by fine music. He held that the words of a hymn well set mean far more to the singer or hearer, and influence him far more than the same words, however beautiful, set to indifferent music. He did not claim to be, nor was he, as great a composer of hymn-music as was Dykes, but his methods were the same, and occasionally he achieved almost equally beautiful results. The difference between master and disciple in this Connection is well illustrated by their settings of the funeral hymn, "Now the labourer's task is o'er." Stainer's setting, though fine in many respects, does not approach the beauty and solemnity of his master's music.
His anthems and services are too numerous to mention: they are well known to every churchgoer. Of his longer works, perhaps his oratorio, "The Crucifixion," is best known—an exquisitely beautiful piece of music which has become very familiar to Londoners by reason of its annual performance in Marylebone Parish Church and elsewhere during the season of Lent. His cantatas, "The Daughter of Jairus," which was performed at the Worcester Festival in 1878, and "St. Mary Magdalen," which was performed at Gloucester in 1883, are not so well known. Of all his music, however, the shortest piece he wrote is undoubtedly that which is sung most often, perhaps no piece of music is likely be sung more often. is the "Sevenfold Amen" a few bars of music in which for beauty and simplicity the cadences are unsurpassed in church music. Sir John was born in 1840. and was the son of a schoolmaster in Southwark; he was a chorister at St. Paul's between 1847 and 1856.
At the age of sixteen he became organist to St. Michael's College, Tenbury. then recently founded the late Sir F. G. Ouseley; and at the early age of nineteen he was made organist of Magdalen College, Oxford. He seized the opportunity of graduating in arts well as in music, proceeding to Mus. Bac. in 1859, B.A. in 1363, Mus. Doc. 1855, M.A. 1855. In 1850 Dr. Stainer had been appointed organist of the University Church by the then Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jeune, some time Bishop of Peterborough, and he held this appointment, together with the of Magdalen, until 1372, when was appointed to succeed Sir John Goss as organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, which post he resigned early in 1888. In 1373 was nominated by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as one of the jurors of the Exhibition in Paris, and when was closed he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
In 1828 Dr. Stainer was appointed Inspector of Music on the Education Department, in the place of the late Dr. Huilah, and also had the honour of being nominated member of the Council of the Royal College of Music by the Prince of Wales. 1885 Dr. Stainer received the degree of Doc., and in 1885 that of D.C.L., honoris causa, from the University of Durham. In 1833 he received the honour of knighthood, and in was appointed Professor of Music to the University of Oxford, as successor to Sir F. G. Ouseley, deceased.
He was an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music, one of the vice-presidents of the Royal College of Organists, and president of the Musical Association.
In 1893 he received the distinction of being elected an Honorary Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxon. In July, 1899, he was entertained at dinner by the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, to commemorate the completion of the fiftieth year of his association with the cathedral. Sir John was well known to music lovers in Birmingham. So recently as Februaiy he was chosen by the Birmingham Clef Club to become their president in succession to the late Sir Arthur Sullivan, and the members looked forward to a visit from him on the occasion of the forthcoming annual meeting. The only visit in connection with the performance of his works was made to the Midland Institute about fifteen years ago, when he lectured upon "Christinas' Carols," and the Madrigal Society, of which Mr. Stockley was conductor, sang several of his compositions. Other visits were to Saltley College in the discharge of his duties as musical examiner. Several churches have included his "Crucifixion" in their choral programme for Good Friday.

By the death of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, in London, on Saturday, the musical world has suffered its third great loss within a fortnight, Sir Frederick Bridge and Sir Walter Parratt having both also passed away during that period.
In these the Royal College Music has lost three of the very small remaining band of professors who have been on its staff sinfce its foundation in 1883. Sir Charles Stanford, who was in his 72nd year, had been connected with music during the whole of his life. At the age of eight he composed a march. At 18, he went to Cambridge as choral scholar at Queens', and at 21 became organist of Trinity. A year later became conducfor of the University Musical Society, which, in his hands achieved great importance, giving the first, English performance of several important works of contemporary foreign composers, such as Brahms, of whom Stanford was a great admirer. The public first heard of Sir Charles as a composer in 1876, when he composed the music for the Lyceum production of Tennyson's "Queen Mary" A close friendship followed until Ternyson's death, and Stanford also wrote the settings "The Revenge" and the Wellington "Ode." Sir Charles was the composer of numerous orchestral pieces and a very large selectionof chamber music, and, in addition a large amount incidental music for plays, he wrote nine operas. His choral pieces have been produced atmost of the big festivals, and he was noted as a choral conductor, in which he acted for some time at the Leeds Festival. He will also be remembered for his songs, notably his "Songs the Sea." As Professor of Music at Cambridge and senior teacher of composition at the Royal College of Music, he had as pupils many composers whose names are now prominentin this country. He was the author ofseveral books dealing with various aspects of the musician's art.

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, for many years Professor of Music at the University Cambridge and at the Royal College Music, London, left £5328.

Mr. Edwin Stephenson, organist St. Margaret's, Westminster, whose death has taken place at Ulverston, was for some time organist the Parish Church Brighton. He was appointed Canon Carnegie to the Cathedral Church at Birmingham, in 1914 he succeeded Mr Goss-Custard as organist of St. Margaret's, and has played many notable services during and since the war. His organ recitals were much appreciated by the public.

"The Times" announces the death at Windsor at the age of 48, of Mr Charles Hylton Stewart. M.A . Mus. Bac. (Camb ), organist of St George’s Chapel. Windsor Castle. He was appointed to St George’s from Chester Cathedral on the retirement of Sir Walford Davies, and took up his post only September.

Mr. James Stimpson, the organist of the Town Hall, Birmingham, died at Edgbaston on Monday. He was a son of a lay-vicar of Lincoln Cathedral, and was born in 1820.

The death of Mr. James Stimpson, who for forty-four years has been organist at the Birmingham Festival, will carry the memory of musical veterans back to the old days. Mr. Stimpson, then a young man of six-and-twenty, played the organ at the first performance of "Elijah," under Mendelssohn's conductorship, at the Birmingham Festival of 1846.

Ebor House, Ludlow.
Born 1884 at Essenden, Herts.
Trained at Ely Cathedral and private. MUS. BAC. OXON., F.R.C.O.
Organist Littleport Parish Church, 1902-06 ; St. Mary's, Ely, 1906-09 ; (Assistant), Ely Cathedral, 1906-09 ; Yeovil Parish Church, 1909-11 ; Ludlow Parish Church since 1911. Publications : Hymn tunes ; song, "Echoes."
Recreations : Walking and cycling.

The funeral took place on Saturday at St. Albans of Dr. Edward Thomas Sweeting. who was for 23 Years Organist and Master of the Music at Winchester College, a position from which retired in 1924
Dr. Sweeting, who was born in 1863, was organist at Rossall School from 1882to 1897. and at St. John’s College, Cambridge. from 1897 to 1901.
He did a great work at Winchester and on his retirement he went on tour all round the Empire conducting examinations for the R.C.M.
He was the author of numerous songs, pianoforte and violin pieces and Church music.
Dr. Sweeting married on August 15, 1900. Miss Keith Craven, daughter of Mr. James Glen, who. with son and a daughter, survives him.

Enterred here doth ly a worthy wyght,
Who for long tyme in musick bore the bell ;
His name to shew was Thomas Tallis hyght,
In honest vertuous lyff he dyd excell.
He served long tyme in Chappel with grete prayse,
Fower sovereygnes reignes (a thing not often seene),
I mean King Henry and Prince Edward's dayes,
Quene Marie, and Elizabeth our Quene.
He maryed was, though children he had none,
And lyv'd in love full three and thirty yeres
With loyal spowse, whos name yclept was Jone,
Who here entom'b, him company now bears.
As he dyd lyve, so also dyd he dy,
In myld and quyet sort, O happy man,
To God ful oft for mercy did he cry,
Wherefore he lyves, let Deth do what he can.

The funeral of James Taylor, organist the University and to New College, whose death occuired on the 1st inst. at his residence. No. 43, Panbury-road. in this city, took place on Saturday afternoon. The coffin, on which were placed number of beautiful wreaths, was conveyed to New College Chapel, where the first part of the Tonal Service was read by the Rev. Canon Spooner, and the Rev. Canon King, vicar of St. Peter-in-the-East, read the concluding portion at the interment in Holywell Cemetery. The mourners were Mrs. Taylor, widow of the deceased. Mr. Leonard Taylor, Mr. R. Taylor and Mr. C. Taylor, sons, and Miss and Miss Taylor, daughters. The plate on the coffin, which was of polished oak, bore the following inscription : James Taylor, Died August Ist. 1900, Aged 67.
Mr. Leonard C. Taylor asks us to state, in correction of the announcement in last week’s issue, that bis father, the late Dr. James Taylor, enjoyed excellent health for the last two years of his life, except for an illness he had last term, from which had quite recovered. He was quite well on the Tuesday before his death, and died suddenly and unexpectedly from a stroke.

Dr Edward Henry Thorne, organist and choirmaster of St. Anne's, Soho, London, since 1891, died on Tuesday, aged 82 years.
At the age of 12 he was appointed assistant organist at Windsor Castle, and on many occasions played before Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort.
As a composer he was well known for his anthems and Church music, including "All Thy works praise Thee, In the beginning was the word, O cast thy burden upon the Lord."

Dr. Edward Henry Thorne, organist and choirmaster of St. Anne's. Soho, died on Tuesday, at the age of 82 years.
Born at Cranborne, Dorsetshire, in 1834. he was appointed at the age of twelve assistant organist at the Chapel Royal, Windsor Castle, where he was educated.
For seven years he was Cathedral organist at Chichester. and then moved to London. Dr. Thorne was recently described "the Grand Old Man of the musical world," linking the younger generation with S. S. Wesley, W. S. Best, Turle, Goss. Stainer, Sullivan, and Barnby. all of whom knew personally.
As a composer Dr. Thorne was known throughout the English Church for his anthems and Church music, but he will probably more widely remembered as the composer of the setting of three popular hymns, "Jesus calls us o'er the tumult," "Around the Throne of God," and "He. who once in righteous vengeance."
He was for twenty five years organist at St. Anne's, Soho, where he continued the Bach traditions of that church. It is computed that his performances of the Christmas oratorio and the Passion Music drawn over 200,000 persons to those services.

Dr. Thomas Tudway, Profeffor of Mufick in the Univerfity of Cambridge, being upwards of 70 Years of Age. He was Organift of King's College, and Pembroke-Hall ; the former of which Places he enjoy'd above fifty Years.

When members of the Press arrived at the house of the late Mr. Harry William Tupper, Mus. Bac. (Oxon.). F.R.C.0.. of 88. Radcliffe-road, West Bridgford, they were informed by the County Coroner (Lt.-Col. Bradwell), that the inquest would be held in camera. This is a most unusual procedure, and a wrong construction may have been put on the reason for the exclusion of newspaper men.
For many years the deceased was organist at the Burton-on-Trent Parish Church. subsequently filling a similar post at, Bouthwell Cathedral.
Last Friday he retired to bed about 10 p.m.. but early the next morning was found dead by his wife. The room was full of gas, and a coat and towel had been placed around the frame of her husband's bedroom door. Near his mouth was a tube attached to the gas bracket.
Hilda Mary Tupper, the widow, was the only witness called at the inquest, although Dr. C. H. Warner. of Southwell, who is the Medical Officer of Health for Beeston, was also present. Mrs. Tupper stated that her husband was 58 years of age. Until July he had been organist at Southwell Minster for 11 years. He resigned owing to a breakdown in health. The fact of leaving Southwell made him depressed. He had said he would be better out of the way. On Friday he seemed depressed.
Deceased retired to bed about 10 p.m. as usual, sleeping in a room by himself. "I awoke, and thought I could smell gas, about 5.10 a.m.," said witness. "I thought I was mistaken. I went to his room about 7.40 a.m., and found the door blocked. I found him in bed, with a gas tube near him, which was attached to a bracket near his bed. He was dead, and in his nightshirt." The verdict was: "That Harry William Tupper died from carbon monoxide poisoning. and that he committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind."

Mr. Harry William Tupper. Mus.Bac.. F.R.C.0.. of 88. Radcliffe-road. West Bridgford. formerly organist at Southwell, Cathedral. who died on September 28th intestate. left (state of the gross value of £3.557. with net personalty £2.841. Letters of administration of his will has been granted to his widow. Hilda Mary Tupper, of 88. Radchffe-rcad, West Bridgford. and Henry George Seymour. bank manager. of 36. Ashfield-avenue, King's Berth. Birmingham.

On the 5th instant, at his residence in holywell-street, Oxford, at a very advanced age, Walter Vicary, Esq., for upwards of thirty years of Magdeline College.

Tuefday laft, very fuddenly at Liverpool, Robert Wainwright, Doctor in mufic, organift of St. Peter’s Church in that town, a gentleman eminent in his profeffion, both a compofer and performer, and not more refpected for thefe than for the virtues his mind, which were confpicuous to all his acquaintances.

The Dean and Chapter have appointed Mr. Theodore Walrond acting organist of the Cathedral in succession to Mr. Sydney H. Nicholson, who isgoing to Manchester Cathedral in July.
Mr. Walrond come to Carlisle on January 1st. 1906. having been appointed organist of St. Cuthberts, Church in succession to Mr. C. O'Connor Morris.
During the past two years he has acted as assistant to Mr. Nicholson and become thoroughly acquainted with the Cathedral organ and the choir.
Prior to 1906 Mr. Walrond was for seven years music master and organist at Giggleswick School.
He was educated at Rugby and at Balliol College. Oxford. He is an M.A. of Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.
He was born at Glasgow, but spent the greater part of his life at Rugby.
Since coming to Carlisle he has taken great interest in local musical affairs, and has done much in the capacity of hon. secretary of the Carlisle Musical Festival to help forward the annual competitions held in the Drill Hall. He is a skilful executant and accomplished soloist.
By his appointment the post of organist at St. Cuthbert's will shortly become vacant.

October 20th. at Bath. Mr. George Warne. formerly organist of the Temple Church, London, aged 71