George Linstead
Encyclopedia
George Frederick Linstead (24 January 1908 – 28 December 1974) was a musician
, critic
and composer
, who featured prominently in the musical life of Sheffield
and South Yorkshire
.
Linstead spent his childhood in the village of Doveridge
, South Derbyshire
, where his musical talents first developed. The sudden death of his father in 1915 forced the family to move to Sheffield
, where he spent the rest of his life, never forgetting his country roots. After leaving Sheffield Central School
in 1923, he devoted himself to a musical career. Through financial circumstances he was never able to attend university for undergraduate studies, but nevertheless obtained numerous degrees and diplomas through external study, including those of Bachelor and Doctor of Music.
For many years, Linstead was the music critic of the Sheffield Telegraph
. He was a music lecturer at Sheffield University, an organist and choirmaster (latterly at Christ Church, Fulwood), and for many years contributed program notes for the Philharmonic concerts. His numerous compositions included works for orchestra
, solo instrument, piano
, Organ (music)
, and choir
. Some of these were performed by the Halle Orchestra and received their first public hearing in the City Hall. Several of these compositions have a local connection, including his Symphonic Study “Doveridge”, his arrangement of the Castleton Garland
Dance, and his film music for “Engineers in Steel”, commissioned for the British Steel Corporation.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, critic
Critic
A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement. Informally, criticism is a common aspect of all human expression and need not necessarily imply skilled or accurate expressions of judgement. Critical judgements, good or bad, may be positive , negative , or balanced...
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...
, who featured prominently in the musical life of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
.
Linstead spent his childhood in the village of Doveridge
Doveridge
Doveridge is a village and Civil parish in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, near the border with Staffordshire and about east of Uttoxeter. Its name comes from its bridge over the river Dove , a tributary of the River Trent....
, South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire is a local government district in Derbyshire, England. It contains a third of the National Forest, and the council offices are in Swadlincote....
, where his musical talents first developed. The sudden death of his father in 1915 forced the family to move to Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, where he spent the rest of his life, never forgetting his country roots. After leaving Sheffield Central School
Sheffield Central Technical School
The former Sheffield Central Technical School was housed in the collection of buildings now called Leopold Square in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England...
in 1923, he devoted himself to a musical career. Through financial circumstances he was never able to attend university for undergraduate studies, but nevertheless obtained numerous degrees and diplomas through external study, including those of Bachelor and Doctor of Music.
For many years, Linstead was the music critic of the Sheffield Telegraph
Sheffield Telegraph
The Sheffield Telegraph is a weekly newspaper published in Sheffield, England.-History:Founded in 1855 as the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, it was the city's first daily newspaper, published at 08:00 each morning. The newspaper struggled until W. C...
. He was a music lecturer at Sheffield University, an organist and choirmaster (latterly at Christ Church, Fulwood), and for many years contributed program notes for the Philharmonic concerts. His numerous compositions included works for orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, solo instrument, 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...
, Organ (music)
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, and choir
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...
. Some of these were performed by the Halle Orchestra and received their first public hearing in the City Hall. Several of these compositions have a local connection, including his Symphonic Study “Doveridge”, his arrangement of the Castleton Garland
Castleton Garland Day
Castleton Garland Day or Garland King Day is held on 29 May in the town of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District...
Dance, and his film music for “Engineers in Steel”, commissioned for the British Steel Corporation.
External links
- http://www.georgeflinstead.org.uk.