Noel Rawsthorne
Encyclopedia
Noel Rawsthorne was a pupil of Germani in Italy and Harold Dawber at the Royal Manchester College. He became Organist of Liverpool Cathedral
from 1955 to 1980. While there, he composed many original choral works, such as the Festive Eucharist
(1978) which is still sung regularly by churches across the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool
.
He also received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Liverpool and his work with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra included supervision of the refurbishment of the Rushworth organ in the Philharmonic Hall and he has sustained substantial friendships, personal and professional, with successive maestro's of the 'Phil'.
He mentored (now Professor) Ian Tracey
, who succeeded him as Musical Director of the Cathedral in 1980.
Rawsthorne's compositions and arrangements are found in many contemporary collections of organ music. His Hornpipe Humoresque is an amusing set of variations on the familiar Sailor's Hornpipe
, in the styles of (and with apologies to) Bach
(Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement), Vivaldi
("Spring," 1st movement, from The Four Seasons
), Arne (Rule Britannia) and Widor ("Toccata" from Symphony for Organ No. 5
).
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool but it is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
from 1955 to 1980. While there, he composed many original choral works, such as the Festive Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
(1978) which is still sung regularly by churches across the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool
Anglican Diocese of Liverpool
The Diocese of Liverpool is a Church of England diocese based in Liverpool, covering Merseyside north of the River Mersey along with West Lancashire, Wigan in Greater Manchester, Warrington and Widnes in Cheshire...
.
He also received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Liverpool and his work with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra included supervision of the refurbishment of the Rushworth organ in the Philharmonic Hall and he has sustained substantial friendships, personal and professional, with successive maestro's of the 'Phil'.
He mentored (now Professor) Ian Tracey
Ian Tracey (organist)
-Previous work:Ian Tracey started to study the organ at Liverpool Cathedral under the cathedral organist at the time, Noel Rawsthorne. He then continued his studies at Trinity College, London before gaining further experience in Paris under André Isoir and Jean Langlais. In 1980 he took over from...
, who succeeded him as Musical Director of the Cathedral in 1980.
Rawsthorne's compositions and arrangements are found in many contemporary collections of organ music. His Hornpipe Humoresque is an amusing set of variations on the familiar Sailor's Hornpipe
The Sailor's Hornpipe
The Sailor's Hornpipe is a traditional hornpipe melody.- History :The usual tune for this dance was first printed as the "College Hornpipe" in 1797 or 1798 by J. Dale of London....
, in the styles of (and with apologies to) Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
(Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement), Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
("Spring," 1st movement, from The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music. The texture of each concerto is varied, each resembling its respective season...
), Arne (Rule Britannia) and Widor ("Toccata" from Symphony for Organ No. 5
Symphony for Organ No. 5 (Widor)
The Symphony for Organ No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1, was composed by Charles-Marie Widor in 1879. It lasts for about thirty-five minutes. Its Toccata is the best known of all of Widor's compositions.-Structure:The piece has five movements:# Allegro vivace...
).
External links
- Recordings by Noel Rawsthorne at Amazon.co.uk
- Programme notes on the occasion of Noel Rawsthorne's 70th birthday from Simon LindleySimon LindleySimon Lindley is a British organist, choirmaster, conductor and composer. He has been organist at Leeds Town Hall since 1976 and Master of the Music and organist of Leeds Parish Church since 1975. Senior Lecturer in Music at Leeds Polytechnic from 1976 to 1987, Lindley held the post of Senior...
's website