Arthur Elwell Fisher
Encyclopedia
Arthur Elwell Fisher was an English composer
, organist
, violist
, violin
ist, and music educator who was primarily active in North America. His compositional output includes String Trio in G, Opus 54, a Rhapsody for violin and orchestra, a Thanksgiving Cantata, several works for solo piano
and solo violin, numerous choral works
, and roughly 100 songs. His cantata
for female choir and piano, The Wreck of the Hesperus, premiered in 1893 and the following year was rescored for performance by a mixed choir and orchestra for the opening festival of Massey Hall
. Music critic Hector Charlesworth
described Fisher as "a man of profound learning, though still under the shadow of the cathedral, like most English musicians of the eighties." His works were published in Canada by I. Suckling & Sons and A. & S. Nordheimer Co., in England by Ashdown, Curwen Press
, and Novello, and in the United States by Century, Oliver Ditson and Company, G. Schirmer
, and Summy-Birchard Music.
and with Henry Holmes
(1839–1905) in London. He worked as a church organist in Liverpool during the 1870s. In 1879 he emigrated to Canada to assume the post of organist at St George's Church in Montreal. He left there in 1882 to pursue studies at Trinity College
in Toronto where he earned a Bachelor of Music
in 1887. He also earned associates diplomas from Trinity College of Music
and the Royal College of Organists
in 1889 through visiting examiners from those schools to Canada.
Fisher joined the music faculty of the Toronto Conservatory of Music (TCM) in 1887 where he taught courses in piano, violin, voice, and theory. He also taught similar courses at the Toronto College of Music
, held several church organist posts in Toronto, founded the St Cecilia Choral Society of Toronto, and actively performed as a violist in the TCM's Toronto String Quartette
. In 1887 he was appointed the TCM's first travelling examiner; officiating local examinations in Ontario and in Western Canada. From 1887-1890 he contributed numerous editorials and musical compositions the Musical Journal. Among his notable pupils was W. H. Hewlett
.
In 1893 Fisher resigned from his position at the TCM due to conflicts surrounding the terms of his contract with the school. He was appointed a music examiner at the University of Toronto
in 1896 and that same year was made music director of the Kingston Ladies' College. Sometime during the first decade of the 20th century he joined the faculty of the Chicago Musical College
where he was actively teaching up through 1912. After this his whereabouts and activities are unknown, although scholars believe he most likely remained in the United States until his death.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, violist
Violist
-Notable violists:A* Julia Rebekka Adler * Sir Hugh Allen , conductor* Kris Allen * Johann Andreas Amon * Paul Angerer , composer* Steven Ansell * Atar Arad * Cecil Aronowitz...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist, and music educator who was primarily active in North America. His compositional output includes String Trio in G, Opus 54, a Rhapsody for violin and orchestra, a Thanksgiving Cantata, several works for solo piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and solo violin, numerous choral works
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, and roughly 100 songs. His cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
for female choir and piano, The Wreck of the Hesperus, premiered in 1893 and the following year was rescored for performance by a mixed choir and orchestra for the opening festival of Massey Hall
Massey Hall
Massey Hall is a venerable performing arts theatre in the Garden District of downtown Toronto. The theatre originally was designed to seat 3,500 patrons but, after extensive renovations in the 1940s, now seats up to 2,765....
. Music critic Hector Charlesworth
Hector Charlesworth
Hector Willoughby Charlesworth was a Canadian writer, editor, and critic. From 1904 to 1910 he was an editor and critic at the Toronto Mail and Empire. In 1910 he went to Saturday Night and was its editor from 1926 to 1932...
described Fisher as "a man of profound learning, though still under the shadow of the cathedral, like most English musicians of the eighties." His works were published in Canada by I. Suckling & Sons and A. & S. Nordheimer Co., in England by Ashdown, Curwen Press
Curwen Press
The Curwen Press was founded by the Reverend John Curwen in 1863 to publish sheet music for the "tonic sol-fa" system. The Press was based in Plaistow, Newham, east London, England, where Curwen was a pastor from 1844...
, and Novello, and in the United States by Century, Oliver Ditson and Company, G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
, and Summy-Birchard Music.
Life and career
Born in England, Fisher studied the violin at the Conservatoire de ParisConservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance founded in 1795, now situated in the avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France...
and with Henry Holmes
Henry Holmes (composer)
Henry Holmes was an English violinist, composer, and music educator. His compositional output includes a violin concerto, several works for solo violin, four symphonies, a concert overture, two sacred cantatas for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, and other chamber and choral works.Born in...
(1839–1905) in London. He worked as a church organist in Liverpool during the 1870s. In 1879 he emigrated to Canada to assume the post of organist at St George's Church in Montreal. He left there in 1882 to pursue studies at Trinity College
University of Trinity College
The University of Trinity College, informally referred to as Trin, is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Trinity was intended by Strachan as a college of strong Anglican alignment, after the University of Toronto severed its ties with the Church of...
in Toronto where he earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1887. He also earned associates diplomas from Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
and the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
in 1889 through visiting examiners from those schools to Canada.
Fisher joined the music faculty of the Toronto Conservatory of Music (TCM) in 1887 where he taught courses in piano, violin, voice, and theory. He also taught similar courses at the Toronto College of Music
Toronto College of Music
The Toronto College of Music was a Canadian music conservatory in Toronto, Ontario that was actively providing higher education in music during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Founded in 1888 by conductor F.H. Torrington, the college was notably the first music conservatory affiliated...
, held several church organist posts in Toronto, founded the St Cecilia Choral Society of Toronto, and actively performed as a violist in the TCM's Toronto String Quartette
Toronto String Quartette
The Toronto String Quartette was the name of three un-related professional Canadian string quartets based in Toronto, Ontario.-The first TSQ: 1884-1887:...
. In 1887 he was appointed the TCM's first travelling examiner; officiating local examinations in Ontario and in Western Canada. From 1887-1890 he contributed numerous editorials and musical compositions the Musical Journal. Among his notable pupils was W. H. Hewlett
W. H. Hewlett
William Henry Hewlett was a Canadian organist, conductor, composer, and music educator of English birth.-Early life and education:...
.
In 1893 Fisher resigned from his position at the TCM due to conflicts surrounding the terms of his contract with the school. He was appointed a music examiner at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1896 and that same year was made music director of the Kingston Ladies' College. Sometime during the first decade of the 20th century he joined the faculty of the Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
where he was actively teaching up through 1912. After this his whereabouts and activities are unknown, although scholars believe he most likely remained in the United States until his death.