G. D. Cunningham
Encyclopedia
George Dorrington Cunningham (London
October 2, 1878 - Birmingham
August 4, 1948) was an important concert organist
. Born of musical parents, Cunningham studied piano with his mother, subsequently switching to organ at the Guildhall School of Music. Upon graduation he studied with Josiah Booth at Park Chapel, Crouch End
, North London. From there he enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music
, where he became an FRCO at age eighteen and organist of the Alexandra Palace
at twenty-two, in 1901.
After 1900 Cunningham's fame as a recitalist steadily grew. However during the armistice celebrations of 1918 the instrument at Alexandra Palace was wantonly wrecked, and was not restored and re-opened again until December 1929. In 1924 Cunningham was appointed Birmingham City Organist
and Birmingham University Organist. He was conductor of the City of Birmingham Choir
for many years. He also played often at the Town Hall of the same city. In September 1930 he made recordings on the restored Alexandra Palace organ.
Cunningham's most important students were E. Power Biggs
, George Thalben-Ball
, who succeeded him at Birmingham in 1949, and Michael (Stockwin) Howard
.
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...
October 2, 1878 - Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
August 4, 1948) was an important concert 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...
. Born of musical parents, Cunningham studied piano with his mother, subsequently switching to organ at the Guildhall School of Music. Upon graduation he studied with Josiah Booth at Park Chapel, Crouch End
Crouch End
Crouch End is an area of north London, in the London Borough of Haringey.- Location :Crouch End is in a valley between Harringay to the east, Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green to the north, Finsbury Park and Archway to the south and Highgate to the west...
, North London. From there he enrolled in 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 became an FRCO at age eighteen and organist of the Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is a building in North London, England. It stands in Alexandra Park, in an area between Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green...
at twenty-two, in 1901.
After 1900 Cunningham's fame as a recitalist steadily grew. However during the armistice celebrations of 1918 the instrument at Alexandra Palace was wantonly wrecked, and was not restored and re-opened again until December 1929. In 1924 Cunningham was appointed Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist is an appointment made by the City of Birmingham. The purpose of the appointment is to have an organist for civic occasions and who will provide a series of free public organ recitals....
and Birmingham University Organist. He was conductor of the City of Birmingham Choir
City of Birmingham Choir
The City of Birmingham Choir is a large, well-established, choral society based in Birmingham, UK. It promotes five or more concerts each season, mostly in Symphony Hall or Town Hall Birmingham. Many of its concerts are accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Occasional concerts...
for many years. He also played often at the Town Hall of the same city. In September 1930 he made recordings on the restored Alexandra Palace organ.
Cunningham's most important students were E. Power Biggs
E. Power Biggs
Edward George Power Biggs , more familiarly known as E. Power Biggs, was a British-born American concert organist and recording artist.-Biography:...
, George Thalben-Ball
George Thalben-Ball
Sir George Thomas Thalben-Ball CBE was an organist and composer who, though originally from Australia, spent most of his life in Britain....
, who succeeded him at Birmingham in 1949, and Michael (Stockwin) Howard
Michael Howard (musician)
Michael Stockwin Howard was an English choral conductor, organist and composer. He was an important part of the Early Music movement in the middle of the last century, in particular as a celebrated interpreter of 16th century polyphony In his later years he made notable recordings of the late...
.