The Music Community of Victorian Worcester
Written by Albert Edward Bibbs
Another composer, Sir C. Villiers Stanford attended, and conducted a performance of his 'Phaudrig Crohoore' on February 19, 1908, and at the same Concert: Mr. Plunket Greene sang Stanford's 'Songs of the Sea', as he alone could sing them.
And on one occasion Sir. H. Walford Davies conducted his part song, 'The three jolly huntsmen'.
A notice of the Society is not complete without mention of the name of the late Mr. J.W. Austin, who for so long a period had led so painstakingly the local orchestra: and of Mr. Frank Webb, who has represented it in Committee for so many years.
The Festivals provided a Social side, as well as hard work, and the Wednesday afternoon was looked forward to as a relief to our duties. Entertainment of one kind or another was provided for the Chorus, generally an excursion, and of all those best remembered were our visits to Highnam Court, Gloucester, as guests of Sir Hubert Parry. He entertained lavishly and gave us a great welcome, which was enhanced by his ever cheery smile and beaming disposition, a most loveable man. Occasionally there were 'At Homes', and one I recall given by Sir Edward Elgar in the College Green in 1908 when I met Mr. Walter Damrosch, the famous American conductor, whose concerts and talks I still hear over the radio from New York. A picture of him I have in mind was his playing with a huge Teddy bear, with Lady Maud Warrender: so even great men can relax sometimes.
The death of Sir Hubert Parry on October 7, 1918 was a great blow to English music. It was my melancholy pleasure to attend his funeral in St. Pauls Cathedral, an unforgettable scene. The Church was crowded with notable people in all walks of life, and many famous composers, singers, and instrumental players I recognized there. The service was of an elaborate character, and consisted wholly of the music of Sir Hubert.
This calls to mind another remarkable funeral I attended, that of Madam Jenny Lind, who died at the Winds Point Malvern, October 1887. The service was held in the Abbey Church, and was presided over by Mr. William Haynes, the organist, who many Worcester people may remember. She was buried in the Malvern Cemetery.
Mr. George R, Sims records a visit to Malvern at this time:
"On Sunday morning (he says) I strolled away among the hills in the direction of the British Camp, and the result of the Sunday morning walk was that I was the first person in the world, outside her own family and her immediate attendants, to know that the soul of the sweetest singer of our time, had passed away."
Written by Albert Edward Bibbs
Another composer, Sir C. Villiers Stanford attended, and conducted a performance of his 'Phaudrig Crohoore' on February 19, 1908, and at the same Concert: Mr. Plunket Greene sang Stanford's 'Songs of the Sea', as he alone could sing them.And on one occasion Sir. H. Walford Davies conducted his part song, 'The three jolly huntsmen'.
A notice of the Society is not complete without mention of the name of the late Mr. J.W. Austin, who for so long a period had led so painstakingly the local orchestra: and of Mr. Frank Webb, who has represented it in Committee for so many years.
The Festivals provided a Social side, as well as hard work, and the Wednesday afternoon was looked forward to as a relief to our duties. Entertainment of one kind or another was provided for the Chorus, generally an excursion, and of all those best remembered were our visits to Highnam Court, Gloucester, as guests of Sir Hubert Parry. He entertained lavishly and gave us a great welcome, which was enhanced by his ever cheery smile and beaming disposition, a most loveable man. Occasionally there were 'At Homes', and one I recall given by Sir Edward Elgar in the College Green in 1908 when I met Mr. Walter Damrosch, the famous American conductor, whose concerts and talks I still hear over the radio from New York. A picture of him I have in mind was his playing with a huge Teddy bear, with Lady Maud Warrender: so even great men can relax sometimes.
The death of Sir Hubert Parry on October 7, 1918 was a great blow to English music. It was my melancholy pleasure to attend his funeral in St. Pauls Cathedral, an unforgettable scene. The Church was crowded with notable people in all walks of life, and many famous composers, singers, and instrumental players I recognized there. The service was of an elaborate character, and consisted wholly of the music of Sir Hubert.
This calls to mind another remarkable funeral I attended, that of Madam Jenny Lind, who died at the Winds Point Malvern, October 1887. The service was held in the Abbey Church, and was presided over by Mr. William Haynes, the organist, who many Worcester people may remember. She was buried in the Malvern Cemetery.
Mr. George R, Sims records a visit to Malvern at this time:
"On Sunday morning (he says) I strolled away among the hills in the direction of the British Camp, and the result of the Sunday morning walk was that I was the first person in the world, outside her own family and her immediate attendants, to know that the soul of the sweetest singer of our time, had passed away."