George Clutsam
Encyclopedia
George Howard Clutsam was an Australian pianist, composer and writer, best remembered as the arranger of Lilac Time
. Clutsam published over 150 songs.
, New South Wales
, Australia. His career began as a pianist, at which he had little formal training. After establishing himself in Australia and neighbouring countries, he moved to London in 1889, where he continued as an accompanist to various artists including his fellow Australian Nellie Melba
in 1893. From 1895 he increasingly moved to arrangement and composition of orchestral works and light opera.
In 1908, Clutsam married Minnie Fischer, a successful singer, also Australian. Between 1908 and 1918 he wrote music criticism for The Observer
, while continuing to compose and arrange. In 1912, he wrote a biography of Franz Schubert
. As well as the many stage works, he wrote numerous songs, including the charming, popular (but now politically incorrect) Ma Curly-Headed Babby. Later he became Vice-Chairman of the Performing Right Society. He also wrote music for the silent cinema, and subsequently also composed for the "talkies".
Clutsam published under a number of pseudonyms, namely Paul Aubry, Robert Harrington, H.S. Iseledon, Georges Latour and Ch.G. Mustal.
He died in London in 1951 at the age of 85.
Das Dreimäderlhaus
Das Dreimäderlhaus , adapted into English language versions as Blossom Time and Lilac Time, is a Viennese pastiche 'operetta' with music by Franz Schubert, rearranged by Hungarian Heinrich Berté , and a libretto by Alfred Maria Willner and Heinz Reichert...
. Clutsam published over 150 songs.
Life
Clutsam was born 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...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia. His career began as a pianist, at which he had little formal training. After establishing himself in Australia and neighbouring countries, he moved to London in 1889, where he continued as an accompanist to various artists including his fellow Australian 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...
in 1893. From 1895 he increasingly moved to arrangement and composition of orchestral works and light opera.
In 1908, Clutsam married Minnie Fischer, a successful singer, also Australian. Between 1908 and 1918 he wrote music criticism for The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
, while continuing to compose and arrange. In 1912, he wrote a biography of Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
. As well as the many stage works, he wrote numerous songs, including the charming, popular (but now politically incorrect) Ma Curly-Headed Babby. Later he became Vice-Chairman of the Performing Right Society. He also wrote music for the silent cinema, and subsequently also composed for the "talkies".
Clutsam published under a number of pseudonyms, namely Paul Aubry, Robert Harrington, H.S. Iseledon, Georges Latour and Ch.G. Mustal.
He died in London in 1951 at the age of 85.
Selected musicals and other works
- Carnival Scenes (1895; orchestral work)
- A Summer Night (1910; opera)
- King Harlequin (1912; opera)
- Carmen Ballet (1912; Alhambra Theatre, based on Bizet music)
- Young England (1916 musical)
- A Southern MaidA Southern MaidA Southern Maid is an operetta in three acts composed by Harold Fraser-Simson, with a book by Dion Clayton Calthrop and Harry Graham and lyrics by Harry Graham and Harry Miller. Additional music was provided by Ivor Novello and George H. Clutsam, with additional lyrics by Adrian Ross and Douglas...
(1920; contributed additional music) - 101 original studies for the pianoforte (1920)
- The Green Lanes of England (1920; orchestral suite)
- Gabrielle (1921 musical)
- Lilac TimeDas DreimäderlhausDas Dreimäderlhaus , adapted into English language versions as Blossom Time and Lilac Time, is a Viennese pastiche 'operetta' with music by Franz Schubert, rearranged by Hungarian Heinrich Berté , and a libretto by Alfred Maria Willner and Heinz Reichert...
(1922 arrangement of Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
's music) - The Damask Rose (1929; arrangement of Chopin music)
- Heart's Desire (1937; film score)
- Three Plantation Sketches (orchestral work)
- Plantation Songs