Frank Hutchens
Encyclopedia
Francis "Frank" Hutchens OBE (15 January 1892 – 18 October 1965) was a pianist
, music teacher and composer
originally from New Zealand
. He became a popular concert pianist in Australia
, and was a founding member of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music
, where he taught for fifty years.
, migrated to New Zealand
in 1879. Richard tried his hand at farming and bootmaking before settling down at Hawera
as a piano teacher. Frank Hutchens was born in Leeston
near Christchurch
on 15 January 1892. He attended Hawera District High School.
In 1904, at the age of twelve, Hutchens had the opportunity to demonstrate his talents after his piano teacher arranged for him to play for the virtuoso Ignaz Paderewski
, who was then touring New Zealand. Impressed with the boy's potential, Paderewski encouraged him to study in Europe
. The following year, at the age of thirteen, Hutchens travelled alone to London
to attend the Royal Academy of Music
, where he studied piano and composition with Tobias Matthay
and Frederick Corder
. At the Academy he won the Sterndale Bennett
and Thalberg
scholarships, and also the Hine Prize and the Chappell gold medal for pianoforte playing. In 1909, at the age of 17, he became the youngest subprofessor yet appointed to the Academy. In 1911 however, he was forced to return home after his mother fell ill and the family faced financial difficulties.
, Australia
for a stopover, he was given the opportunity to perform with the Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society conducted by Alfred Hill
. He decided to stay, and in 1915 was offered a position by Henri Verbrugghen
as a founding professor with the newly formed New South Wales Conservatorium of Music
, which he accepted. Hutchens was rejected for military service in 1916, and he went on to become an influential teacher, retaining his role as professor with the Conservatorium for fifty years. Prior to his death in 1965 at the age of 73, he was the only remaining original member of the Conservatorium on staff.
In addition to his successful teaching career, Hutchens in 1924 formed a piano duo with Lindley Evans
, which was destined to become another long and successful partnership. Over the course of the next forty years, Hutchens and Evans made many tours of Australia and New Zealand, giving concerts and broadcasts, and they were among the first composer-performer teams to be recorded commercially in Australia.
Highlights of the partnership included the premiere of Hutchens' own work the Fantasie Concerto and Evans' Idyll with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
in 1943 (later recorded by the duo in 1962), a recital for Dame Nellie Melba
, and the premiere performance in Australia of Francis Poulenc
's Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor
. The success of the Hutchens-Evans partnership enabled them to establish a scholarship for young musicians, funded by their own concerts.
As an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
and Trinity College of Music
in London, Hutchens had the requisite experience to assist in the establishment of the Australian Music Examinations Board
as an independent body. He was also a professor at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, President of the NSW Musical Association, a director of APRA, and a member of the Sydney Conservatorium's advisory board.
He was still active as a performer and teacher when he sustained fatal injuries in a car accident, and died at Mona Vale Hospital
on 18 October 1965.
he was appointed an Officer (OBE) of the Order of the British Empire
for "services to Music in the State of New South Wales."
Scholarships in composition are awarded annually in his name to students under 25, and his portrait, by Cornish
painter Stanhope Forbes
, is held by the Sydney Conservatorium to which he devoted so much of his working life.
.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, music teacher and composer
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...
originally from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He became a popular concert pianist in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and was a founding member of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia...
, where he taught for fifty years.
Early life and education
Hutchens' parents, Richard Lavers Hutchens and his wife Maria Siles, née Hoskins, both CornishCornish Australian
Cornish Australians are citizens of Australia whose ancestry originates in Cornwall, United Kingdom, one of the six Celtic Nations. They form part of the worldwide Cornish diaspora which also includes large numbers of people in the US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and many Latin...
, migrated to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 1879. Richard tried his hand at farming and bootmaking before settling down at Hawera
Hawera
Hawera is the second-largest town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of . It is near the coast of the South Taranaki Bight, 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 20 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki/Egmont.It is also on State Highway 45,...
as a piano teacher. Frank Hutchens was born in Leeston
Leeston
Leeston is a small town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 40 kilometres southwest of Christchurch, between the shore of Lake Ellesmere and the mouth of the Rakaia River...
near Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
on 15 January 1892. He attended Hawera District High School.
In 1904, at the age of twelve, Hutchens had the opportunity to demonstrate his talents after his piano teacher arranged for him to play for the virtuoso Ignaz Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski GBE was a Polish pianist, composer, diplomat, politician, and the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland.-Biography:...
, who was then touring New Zealand. Impressed with the boy's potential, Paderewski encouraged him to study in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The following year, at the age of thirteen, Hutchens travelled alone to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to attend the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, where he studied piano and composition with Tobias Matthay
Tobias Matthay
Tobias Augustus Matthay was an English pianist, teacher, and composer.-Biography:Matthaw as born in London in 1858 to parents who had come from northern Germany and were naturalised British subjects...
and Frederick Corder
Frederick Corder
Frederick Corder was an English composer and music teacher.-Biography:Corder was born in Hackney, the son of Micah Corder and his wife Charlotte Hill. He was educated at Blackheath Proprietary School and started music lessons, particularly piano, early. Later he studied with Henry Gadsby...
. At the Academy he won the Sterndale Bennett
William Sterndale Bennett
Sir William Sterndale Bennett was an English composer. He ranks as the most distinguished English composer of the Romantic school-Biography:...
and Thalberg
Sigismond Thalberg
Sigismond Thalberg was a composer and one of the most distinguished virtuoso pianists of the 19th century.- Descent and family background :...
scholarships, and also the Hine Prize and the Chappell gold medal for pianoforte playing. In 1909, at the age of 17, he became the youngest subprofessor yet appointed to the Academy. In 1911 however, he was forced to return home after his mother fell ill and the family faced financial difficulties.
Later career
Having given many recitals in New Zealand, Hutchens decided in 1913 to return to London to resume his career, but after arriving in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
for a stopover, he was given the opportunity to perform with the Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society conducted by Alfred Hill
Alfred Hill
Alfred Francis Hill CMG OBE was an Australian/New Zealand composer, conductor and teacher.-Biography:Alfred Hill was born in Melbourne in 1869. His year of birth is shown in many sources as 1870, but this has now been disproven. He spent most of his early life in New Zealand...
. He decided to stay, and in 1915 was offered a position by Henri Verbrugghen
Henri Verbrugghen
Henri Verbrugghen was a Belgian musician, who directed orchestras in England, Scotland, Australia and the United States....
as a founding professor with the newly formed New South Wales Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia...
, which he accepted. Hutchens was rejected for military service in 1916, and he went on to become an influential teacher, retaining his role as professor with the Conservatorium for fifty years. Prior to his death in 1965 at the age of 73, he was the only remaining original member of the Conservatorium on staff.
In addition to his successful teaching career, Hutchens in 1924 formed a piano duo with Lindley Evans
Lindley Evans
Lindley Evans CMG was a South African-born Australian composer, pianist and teacher. He is best known for his collaboration with Frank Hutchens in a famous piano duet which lasted 41 years, and as the ABC's "Mr Melody Man" for 30 years.Harry Lindley Evans was born in Cape Town in 1895, to English...
, which was destined to become another long and successful partnership. Over the course of the next forty years, Hutchens and Evans made many tours of Australia and New Zealand, giving concerts and broadcasts, and they were among the first composer-performer teams to be recorded commercially in Australia.
Highlights of the partnership included the premiere of Hutchens' own work the Fantasie Concerto and Evans' Idyll with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra , commonly known as the Sydney Symphony, is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney...
in 1943 (later recorded by the duo in 1962), a recital for Dame Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...
, and the premiere performance in Australia of Francis Poulenc
Francis Poulenc
Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc was a French composer and a member of the French group Les six. He composed solo piano music, chamber music, oratorio, choral music, opera, ballet music, and orchestral music...
's Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor
Concerto for two pianos (Poulenc)
Francis Poulenc's Concerto for two pianos in D minor, FP 61, was commissioned by and dedicated to the Princess Edmond de Polignac and composed over the period of three months in the summer of 1932...
. The success of the Hutchens-Evans partnership enabled them to establish a scholarship for young musicians, funded by their own concerts.
As an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world...
and 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...
in London, Hutchens had the requisite experience to assist in the establishment of the Australian Music Examinations Board
Australian Music Examinations Board
The Australian Music Examinations Board is a privately funded corporation which assesses music, speech, and drama in Australia. The organisation had its beginnings at the Universities of Melbourne and Adelaide in 1887; the organisation now has a Federal Office in Melbourne, and offices in each...
as an independent body. He was also a professor at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, President of the NSW Musical Association, a director of APRA, and a member of the Sydney Conservatorium's advisory board.
Personal life
In 1955 Hutchens married Joyce White, granddaughter of R. H. D. White. His wife, a former pupil of his whom he had known since 1927, was a musician herself who gave much encouragement to his career. The couple had no children.He was still active as a performer and teacher when he sustained fatal injuries in a car accident, and died at Mona Vale Hospital
Mona Vale Hospital
Mona Vale Hospital is a 156 bed district hospital located in the suburb of Mona Vale in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, Australia.The Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health Service is responsible for the management of Mona Vale Hospital....
on 18 October 1965.
Awards and honours
Hutchens was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1939, and was also named a "Bard of Cornwall". In the 1962 Queen's Birthday HonoursQueen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
he was appointed an Officer (OBE) of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for "services to Music in the State of New South Wales."
Scholarships in composition are awarded annually in his name to students under 25, and his portrait, by Cornish
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
painter Stanhope Forbes
Stanhope Forbes
Stanhope Alexander Forbes R.A., , was an artist and member of the influential Newlyn school of painters...
, is held by the Sydney Conservatorium to which he devoted so much of his working life.
Music
Hutchens wrote a considerable amount of music, and his works are said to have "charm and craftsmanship". Among his best known works are the Concerto Symphonique for piano and orchestra, the Concerto and Quintet (both for piano and strings), the Fantasie Concerto, and Air Mail Palestine for baritone and orchestra. He also made a large number of recordings for the ABCAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
.