William Lloyd Webber
Encyclopedia
William Southcombe Lloyd Webber (11 March 1914 – 29 October 1982) was an English
organist and composer
.
, he was fortunate, from a musical point of view, that his father was a keen organ
'buff' who spent what little money he had travelling to hear various organs in and around the capital. Often he would take his son with him, and before long, young William started to play the organ himself and developed a keen interest that bordered on the obsessional.
By the age of 14, William Lloyd Webber had already become a well-known organ recitalist, giving frequent performances at many important churches and cathedrals throughout Great Britain
. He won an organ scholarship to Mercers' School
, later winning a further scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music
where he studied with Ralph Vaughan Williams
and gained his FRCO diploma at nineteen. Because there was already another student at the college with the name William Webber, William continued to use his second middle name 'Lloyd' from then on as part of his name.
Parallel to his activities as an organist, he began to compose, and several interesting works date from this early period including Fantasy Trio of 1936. Although the Second World War
interrupted his composition (he was organist and choirmaster at All Saints, Margaret Street
, London throughout the war) its ending marked the beginning of Lloyd Webber's most prolific years as a composer.
In 1938, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of All Saints, later moving to Westminster Central Hall
, London
, one of the most significant Methodist churches in the United Kingdom. His first compositions developed in the 1930s. In 1942 he married the pianist
and violin
ist Jean Hermione Johnstone (1921–1993). The marriage, which lasted until his death, produced two sons:
composer Andrew
(born 1948) and cellist Julian
(born 1951).
From 1945 until the mid-1950s, Lloyd Webber composed vocal and instrumental music, choral and organ works, chamber music and orchestral works. Works from this period include the oratorio 'St. Francis of Assisi', the orchestral tone-poem 'Aurora', the Sonatinas for viola and piano, and flute and piano, and numerous songs, organ pieces and choral works. But Lloyd Webber's roots were firmly embedded in the romanticism of such composers as Sergei Rachmaninov, Jean Sibelius
and César Franck
, and he became increasingly convinced that his own music was 'out of step' with the prevailing climate of the time. Rather than compromise his style, he turned to the academic side of British musical life - teaching at the Royal College of Music
, directing the choir at Central Hall, Westminster, and, in 1964, accepting the Directorship of the London College of Music
, a post which he held until his death in 1982.
Disillusioned with composition, he wrote virtually nothing for the next 20 years - until shortly before his death, when a sudden flowering of creativity produced among a number of works the mass 'Missa Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae', (available on an ASV CD, DCA961).
Lloyd Webber was by nature a shy and withdrawn character. He had an avowed dislike of self-promotion and found the 'cut and thrust' approach apparently necessary for the furtherance of a composer's career to be complete anathema. He also had no time for the trappings of verbosity, and was a man averse to wasting words or, in his music, notes. "Why", he would ask his pupils, “write six pages, when six bars will do?"
Lloyd Webber's music has recently enjoyed a resurgence and is heard increasingly in both live and recorded performances. When 'Aurora' was recorded for Philips in 1986 by Lorin Maazel
and the London Philharmonic Orchestra
, Edward Greenfield
of The Guardian called it "skillfully and sumptuously scored ... music as sensuous as any you will find from a British composer".
In 2005, Lloyd Webber's The Divine Compassion was revived by the Aeolian Singers
. This large scale choral work takes 95 minutes to perform and is based on the account of Passion of Christ
in the Gospel of John
.
A 'William Lloyd Webber Festival' took place in the spring and summer of 2007 in London.
Partsongs
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
organist 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...
.
Life and career
Lloyd Webber was born in London. The son of William Charles Henry Webber, a self-employed plumberPlumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
, he was fortunate, from a musical point of view, that his father was a keen organ
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...
'buff' who spent what little money he had travelling to hear various organs in and around the capital. Often he would take his son with him, and before long, young William started to play the organ himself and developed a keen interest that bordered on the obsessional.
By the age of 14, William Lloyd Webber had already become a well-known organ recitalist, giving frequent performances at many important churches and cathedrals throughout Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. He won an organ scholarship to Mercers' School
Mercers' School
The Mercers' School was a private school in the City of London, England, with a history going back to at least 1542, which closed in 1959.After the disestablishment of the Hospital of St Thomas of Acon in 1538, the hospital's land was bought by the Mercers' Company , and the school was founded in...
, later winning a further scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
where he studied with Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
and gained his FRCO diploma at nineteen. Because there was already another student at the college with the name William Webber, William continued to use his second middle name 'Lloyd' from then on as part of his name.
Parallel to his activities as an organist, he began to compose, and several interesting works date from this early period including Fantasy Trio of 1936. Although the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
interrupted his composition (he was organist and choirmaster at All Saints, Margaret Street
All Saints, Margaret Street
All Saints, Margaret Street is an Anglican church in London built in the High Victorian Gothic style by the architect William Butterfield and completed in 1859....
, London throughout the war) its ending marked the beginning of Lloyd Webber's most prolific years as a composer.
In 1938, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of All Saints, later moving to Westminster Central Hall
Westminster Central Hall
The Westminster Central Hall or Methodist Central Hall is a Methodist church in the City of Westminster. It occupies the corner of Tothill Street and Storeys Gate just off Victoria Street in London, near the junction with The Sanctuary next to the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and facing...
, London
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...
, one of the most significant Methodist churches in the United Kingdom. His first compositions developed in the 1930s. In 1942 he married the 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 violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Jean Hermione Johnstone (1921–1993). The marriage, which lasted until his death, produced two sons:
composer Andrew
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
(born 1948) and cellist Julian
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
(born 1951).
From 1945 until the mid-1950s, Lloyd Webber composed vocal and instrumental music, choral and organ works, chamber music and orchestral works. Works from this period include the oratorio 'St. Francis of Assisi', the orchestral tone-poem 'Aurora', the Sonatinas for viola and piano, and flute and piano, and numerous songs, organ pieces and choral works. But Lloyd Webber's roots were firmly embedded in the romanticism of such composers as Sergei Rachmaninov, Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
and César Franck
César Franck
César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck was a composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher who worked in Paris during his adult life....
, and he became increasingly convinced that his own music was 'out of step' with the prevailing climate of the time. Rather than compromise his style, he turned to the academic side of British musical life - teaching at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, directing the choir at Central Hall, Westminster, and, in 1964, accepting the Directorship of the London College of Music
London College of Music
The London College of Music is a music school which is part of the University of West London in England.The LCM was founded in 1887 and existed as an independent music conservatoire based at Great Marlborough Street in central London until 1991...
, a post which he held until his death in 1982.
Disillusioned with composition, he wrote virtually nothing for the next 20 years - until shortly before his death, when a sudden flowering of creativity produced among a number of works the mass 'Missa Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae', (available on an ASV CD, DCA961).
Lloyd Webber was by nature a shy and withdrawn character. He had an avowed dislike of self-promotion and found the 'cut and thrust' approach apparently necessary for the furtherance of a composer's career to be complete anathema. He also had no time for the trappings of verbosity, and was a man averse to wasting words or, in his music, notes. "Why", he would ask his pupils, “write six pages, when six bars will do?"
Lloyd Webber's music has recently enjoyed a resurgence and is heard increasingly in both live and recorded performances. When 'Aurora' was recorded for Philips in 1986 by Lorin Maazel
Lorin Maazel
Lorin Varencove Maazel is an American conductor, violinist and composer.- Early life :Maazel was born to Jewish-American parents in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France and brought up in the United States, primarily at his parents' home in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. His father, Lincoln Maazel , was...
and the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, Edward Greenfield
Edward Greenfield
Edward Greenfield is an English music critic and broadcaster. He joined the Manchester Guardian in 1953, working as a lobby correspondent in the House of Commons. He has been a record critic for the newspaper since 1955, a music critic since 1964, and was chief music critic from 1977 until his...
of The Guardian called it "skillfully and sumptuously scored ... music as sensuous as any you will find from a British composer".
In 2005, Lloyd Webber's The Divine Compassion was revived by the Aeolian Singers
Aeolian Singers
The Aeolian Singers, president Peter Skellern, musical director Stephen Jones, rehearsal pianist Anna Le Hair, was established in 1963. With about 80 members, it is Hemel Hempstead's largest mixed-voice chorus. While based in Hertfordshire, the singers also perform in major London concert halls and...
. This large scale choral work takes 95 minutes to perform and is based on the account of Passion of Christ
Passion (Christianity)
The Passion is the Christian theological term used for the events and suffering – physical, spiritual, and mental – of Jesus in the hours before and including his trial and execution by crucifixion...
in the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
.
A 'William Lloyd Webber Festival' took place in the spring and summer of 2007 in London.
Orchestra
- Lento in E Major for String Orchestra (1939)
- Waltz in E Minor for Orchestra (1939)
- Aurora, Tone Poem for Orchestra (1951)
- Three Spring Miniatures for Small Orchestra (1952); orchestration of original piano work
-
- Gossamer (A Little Waltz)
- Willow Song (A lament)
- Tree Tops (A Toccatina)
- Serenade for Strings
- I. Barcarolle (1951)
- II. Romance (1980)
- III. Elegy (1960)
- Invocation for Harp, Timpani and String Orchestra (1957)
Brass band
- Little Suite for Brass
-
- I. Prelude
- II. Adagio
- III. Festive March
Chamber
- Three Pieces for Cello and Piano
-
- In the Half-Light (1951)
- Air Varié (adapted from Tantum Ergo by César FranckCésar FranckCésar-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck was a composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher who worked in Paris during his adult life....
) - Slumber Song
- Fantasy Trio in B Minor for Violin, Cello and Piano (1936)
- Sonatina for Flute and Piano (1941)
- Benedictus for Violin and Organ (1942)
- Nocturne for Cello and Piano or Harp (1948); from the oratorio St. Francis of Assisi
- Air and Variations for Clarinet and Piano (1952)
- Sonatina for Viola and Piano (1952)
- Country Impressions (1960)
- Mulberry Cottage for Flute and Piano (1960)
- On Frensham Pond (Aquarelle) for Clarinet and Piano (1960)
- A Lyric Suite for Cello and Piano (1964)
- Summer Pastures for Horn and Piano
- Suite in B for Trumpet and Piano
- The Gardens at Eastwell (A Late Summer Impression) for Violin and Piano or Harp (1982)
Piano
- Three Spring Miniatures for Piano (1952); also orchestrated
-
- Gossamer (A Little Waltz)
- Willow Song (A lament)
- Tree Tops (A Toccatina)
- Six Pieces for Piano
- A Song for the Morning (1957); composed under the pseudonym Clive Chapel
- Scherzo in G Minor
- Arabesque
- Romantic Evening
- Explanation; composed under the pseudonym Clive Chapel
- Song without Words
- Three Pieces for Piano
- Presto for Perseus
- Autumn Elf
- Badinage de Noël
- Scenes from Childhood for Piano
- Cake Walk
- Sentimental Waltz
- Air
- Scherzo
- Evening Hymn
- China Doll
- A Short Tone-Study for Piano
- River Song for Piano 4-Hands
- Danse Macabre for 2 Pianos
Organ
- Chorale, Cantilena and Finale
- Three Recital Pieces (1952)
-
- Prelude
- Barcarolle
- Nuptial March
- Aria – Thirteen Pieces
- Prelude on St Cross;
- Choral March
- Communion
- Solemn Procession
- Prelude on Passion Chorale
- Prelude on Rockingham
- Festal March
- Prelude on Gerontius
- Aria
- Verset
- Prelude on Winchester New
- Vesper Hymn
- Meditation on Stracathro
- Reflections – Seven Pieces
- Prelude
- Slumber Song
- Summer Pastures
- Romance
- Intermezzo
- Christ in the Tomb (from The Divine Compassion)
- Postlude
- Eight Varied Pieces
- Arietta in A Major
- Minuet
- Recessional
- Andantino alla Cantilena
- Introit
- Dedication March
- Pastorale
- Epilogue
- Songs without Words – Six Pieces
- Noel Nouvelet
- Song without Words
- Trumpet Minuet
- God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
- The Coventry Carol
- Good King Wenceslas
- Five Portraits for Home Organs
- Elegy
- Six Interludes on Christmas Carols
- Interlude on 'The Holly and the Ivy'
- Interlude on 'Whence is this goodly fragrance?'
- Interlude on 'Noël nouvelet'
- Interlude on 'Good King Wenceslas'
- Interlude on 'Coventry Carol'
- Interlude on 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen'
Choral
- Missa Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae for Choir and Organ (1979)
- Princeps Pacis (The Prince of Peace), Mass for Chorus and Organ (1962)
- The Saviour, A Meditation upon the Death of Christ for Chorus and Organ
- The Divine Compassion, Sacred Cantata for Tenor, Baritone, Chorus and Organ
- St. Francis of Assisi, Oratorio for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, String Orchestra and Harp (1948)
- Born a King, a Christmas Cantata for Soloists, Chorus and Organ
- Songs of Spring, Cantata for Female Chorus and Piano
- O Lord, Spread Thy Wings O'er Me, Anthem for Soprano (or Treble Voice), Chorus and Accompaniment
- Spirit of God, Anthem for Chorus and Organ
- Dominus Firmamentum Meum, Anthem for Chorus and Organ
- Lo! My Shepherd Is Divine, Anthem for Soprano, Alto, Chorus and Organ
- Lo, God Is Here, Anthem for Chorus and Organ
- Seven Anthems
-
- Sing the Life, Easter Carol for Chorus and Accompaniment
- A Hymn of Thanksgiving for Unison Voices and Organ
- O Love, I Give Myself to Thee for Female Chorus and Organ
- O for a Closer Walk with God for Chorus and Organ
- Then Come, All Ye People, Carol for Chorus and Accompaniment
- The Lord Is My Shepherd for Chorus and Organ
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling for Chorus and Organ (1964); from The Good Samaritan
- Tantum Ergo, Anthem for Bass Solo, Chorus and Organ
- Jesus, Dear Jesus, Carol for Boy Treble, Children's Choir and Organ
- The Stable Where the Oxen Stood
- Most Glorious Lord of Lyfe, Anthem for Chorus Suitable for Easter; words by Edmund SpenserEdmund SpenserEdmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognised as one of the premier craftsmen of Modern English verse in its infancy, and one of the greatest poets in the English...
- Meeting Place, a Meditation upon the Birth of Christ for Baritone, Chorus and Piano or Organ (1964)
- Jamie Brown, a Happy Story in Song for Two-Part Chorus and Piano (published 1962)
Partsongs
- April for Female Chorus and Piano
- Corinna's Lute for Female Chorus and Piano
- Sun-Gold for Female Chorus and Piano, words by May Sarson
- Moon Silver for Female Chorus and Piano
- Lament for Female Chorus and Piano
- I heard a Rush of Wings for Female (or Children's) Chorus and Piano
- The Moon for Unaccompanied Chorus
- A Magic Morn for Female Chorus and Piano
- The Heather Hills for Female Chorus and Piano
Vocal
- The Call of the Morning (1950); words by George DarleyGeorge DarleyGeorge Darley was an Irish poet, novelist, and critic.He was born in Dublin, and educated at Trinity College. Having decided to follow a literary career, in 1820 he went to London, where he published his first poem, Errors of Ecstasie . He also wrote for the London Magazine, under the pseudonym of...
- Love, Like a Drop of Dew (1950); words by W. H. DaviesW. H. DaviesWilliam Henry Davies or W. H. Davies was a Welsh poet and writer. Davies spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or vagabond in the United States and United Kingdom, but became known as one of the most popular poets of his time...
- I Looked Out into the Morning (1951); words by James ThomsonJames ThomsonJames Thomson may refer to:-Politicians:* James Thomson , 19th century political figure* James William Thomson , New Zealand politician...
- Over the Bridge (1951); words by James ThomsonJames ThomsonJames Thomson may refer to:-Politicians:* James Thomson , 19th century political figure* James William Thomson , New Zealand politician...
- How Do I Love Thee?
- The Forest of Wild Thyme (1951)
- The Pretty Washer-Maiden, words by William Ernest HenleyWilliam Ernest HenleyWilliam Ernest Henley was an English poet, critic and editor, best remembered for his 1875 poem "Invictus".-Life and career:...
- To the Wicklow Hills (1954); words by R.G. Leigh
- A Rent for Love (1982); words by Irvonwy Morgan
- So Lovely the Rose, words by Joseph Murrells
- Eutopia, words by Francis Turner PalgraveFrancis Turner PalgraveFrancis Turner Palgrave was a British critic and poet.He was born at Great Yarmouth, the eldest son of Sir Francis Palgrave, the historian and his wife Elizabeth Turner, daughter of the banker Dawson Turner. His brothers were William Gifford Palgrave, Inglis Palgrave and Reginald Palgrave...
- The Cottage of Dreams
- Lullaby
- Spring Is the Time for Love
- Three Arias for Tenor and Organ
-
- And I Saw a New Heaven
- The King of Love (from The Saviour)
- Thou Art the King (from The Divine Compassion)
Discography
- Music of William Lloyd Webber, (ASV Digital, CD DCA 961, 1996)
- Organ Works of William Lloyd Webber, (Priory, PRCD 616, 1998)
- William Lloyd Webber piano music, chamber music and songs, (Hyperion, CDA67008, 1998)
- Sacred Choral Music of William Lloyd Webber, (Priory PRCD677, 1999)
- Invocation, (Chandos CHAN 9595, 1998)
External links
- William Lloyd Webber's biography
- Air Varie and In the half-light by William Lloyd Webber played by his son, Julian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-DRoD4Jh2A Performance of Aurora by the London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic OrchestraThe London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
conducted by Lorin MaazelLorin MaazelLorin Varencove Maazel is an American conductor, violinist and composer.- Early life :Maazel was born to Jewish-American parents in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France and brought up in the United States, primarily at his parents' home in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. His father, Lincoln Maazel , was... - Guardian article written by Julian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd WebberJulian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
about his father