Harry Puddicombe
Encyclopedia
Harry Puddicombe was a Canadian
composer
, pianist
, and music educator. He is best remembered for his work as a teacher, notably founding the Canadian Conservatory of Music
in 1902 and serving as its director for 35 years. The original score of his piano work Poème tragique is held at the Library and Archives Canada
.
, Puddicombe's father made a living as a cabinet maker. He later changed his first name to Harry. In 1891 he traveled to Germany
to study the piano with Martin Krause
in Leipzig
. He studied with Krause through 1896 with the initial intention of pursuing a career as a concert pianist. However, he had suffered from a severe case of stage fright
which eventually forced him to abandon a performance career.
In 1901 Puddicombe returned to Ottawa where he began a private music studio. The following year he founded the Canadian Conservatory of Music
which was located on Bay Street in Ottawa. He served as the school's director for the next 35 years. His brother-in-law, the multi-talented Donald Heins
, was enlisted as a member of the faculty and became an instrumental part of the school's success. Heins notably established the school's symphony orchestra in 1903 and served as its director through 1927. In 1910 the orchestra was restructured to become Ottawa's first professional symphony orchestra. Other notable teachers that Puddicombe enlisted were Annie Jenkins and Herbert Sanders
. Among his notable pupils were Yvon Barette, Joseph Beaulieu
, Gladys Ewart
, Johana Harris
, and Hélène Landry.
The Canadian Conservatory of Music closed in 1937, when the school's building was confiscated by the municipality of Ottawa to meet the expanding public school system's needs. Puddicombe continued to operate a private studio through the latter years of his life. He died in Ottawa in 1953.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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...
, pianist
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:...
, and music educator. He is best remembered for his work as a teacher, notably founding the Canadian Conservatory of Music
Canadian Conservatory of Music
The Canadian Conservatory of Music was a music conservatory in Ottawa, Canada that was actively providing higher education in music during the first half of the 20th century. Founded by Harry Puddicombe in 1902, the school was located on Bay Street...
in 1902 and serving as its director for 35 years. The original score of his piano work Poème tragique is held at the Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...
.
Life
Born Henry Puddicombe in London, OntarioLondon, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Puddicombe's father made a living as a cabinet maker. He later changed his first name to Harry. In 1891 he traveled to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to study the piano with Martin Krause
Martin Krause
Martin Krause was a German concert pianist, piano teacher, music critic, and writer.- Career :Martin Krause was born in Lobstädt, Saxony as the youngest son of the choirmaster and church schoolmaster Johann Carl Friedrich Krause in Lobstädt...
in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
. He studied with Krause through 1896 with the initial intention of pursuing a career as a concert pianist. However, he had suffered from a severe case of stage fright
Stage fright
Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially . In the context of public speaking, this fear is termed glossophobia, one of the most common...
which eventually forced him to abandon a performance career.
In 1901 Puddicombe returned to Ottawa where he began a private music studio. The following year he founded the Canadian Conservatory of Music
Canadian Conservatory of Music
The Canadian Conservatory of Music was a music conservatory in Ottawa, Canada that was actively providing higher education in music during the first half of the 20th century. Founded by Harry Puddicombe in 1902, the school was located on Bay Street...
which was located on Bay Street in Ottawa. He served as the school's director for the next 35 years. His brother-in-law, the multi-talented Donald Heins
Donald Heins
Donald Heins was a Canadian violinist, violist, conductor, organist, composer, and music educator of English birth. He notably founded the first professional orchestra in Ottawa, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra , in 1902, serving as its director until 1927...
, was enlisted as a member of the faculty and became an instrumental part of the school's success. Heins notably established the school's symphony orchestra in 1903 and served as its director through 1927. In 1910 the orchestra was restructured to become Ottawa's first professional symphony orchestra. Other notable teachers that Puddicombe enlisted were Annie Jenkins and Herbert Sanders
Herbert Sanders
Herbert Sanders was a Canadian organist, pianist, conductor, composer, writer on music, and music educator of English birth. His compositional outpust includes numerous sacred songs, anthems, and works for organ. He won the American Guild of Organists's Clemson Gold Medal for composition twice...
. Among his notable pupils were Yvon Barette, Joseph Beaulieu
Joseph Beaulieu
Joseph Beaulieu was a Canadian composer, folklorist, and music educator. He traveled extensively throughout Canada collecting folk songs, which he compiled in several published books. As a composer, his works reflect his strong interest in folk music in there structure and melody. He wrote over...
, Gladys Ewart
Gladys Ewart
Gladys Ewart was a Canadian pianist and music educatorBorn in Ottawa, she was the daughter of John S. Ewart and Jessie Ewart . She studied with Harry Puddicombe at the Canadian Conservatory of Music in her native city, with Alexander Siloti in New York City, and with Martinus Sieveking in London...
, Johana Harris
Johana Harris
Johana Harris was a Canadian pianist, composer, and music educator. She had highly successful career as a concert pianist, making numerous recordings and appearing as a soloist with almost every major American symphony orchestra. She made over 100 solo recordings, working with such labels as...
, and Hélène Landry.
The Canadian Conservatory of Music closed in 1937, when the school's building was confiscated by the municipality of Ottawa to meet the expanding public school system's needs. Puddicombe continued to operate a private studio through the latter years of his life. He died in Ottawa in 1953.