Basil Harwood | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Basil Harwood |
Born | Woodhouse, Gloucestershire, England | 11 April 1859
Died | 3 April 1949 London | (aged 89)
Genres | Organ music; choral music |
Occupation(s) | Organist and composer |
Instrument(s) | Organ |
Years active | 1883–1939 |
Basil Harwood (11 April 1859 – 3 April 1949) was an organist and composer in the English church music tradition, best known today for his liturgical works, particularly his anthem O How Glorious is the Kingdom (1898) and his Service in A flat (1892), which still remain popular in English churches. He wrote numerous hymn tunes, several of which became well-known including Luckington ("Let All the World in Every Corner Sing") and Thornbury ("O Jesus I Have Promised" and " Thy hand, O God, has guided").
Basil Harwood was born on 11 April 1859 at Woodhouse, Olveston, Gloucestershire, the youngest child of Edward Harwood (1818–1907), a banker. [1] His mother Mary, née Sturge (1840–1867), was of Quaker extraction, and Harwood was brought up in that faith until a switch to Anglicanism in 1869 following his father's second marriage. [1]
As a boy, Harwood attended Walton Lodge preparatory school in Clevedon, followed in 1864 by Charterhouse. [1] In 1876 he won a scholarship to Trinity College, Oxford, where he was placed in the second class in classical moderations (1879) and the third in modern history (1881). [1] He took his music degree ( BMus) in 1880, studying with C. W. Corfe, then the university's Choragus. [1]
After Oxford, Harwood spent a year in Leipzig studying composition with Jadassohn and the organ with Papperitz. [1]
Harwood's first professional position was organist of St Barnabas', Pimlico in 1883, a post he held until 1887. [2] He then served as organist at Ely Cathedral for five years, followed by a final move to Oxford in 1892 where he remained organist of Christ Church Cathedral until his retirement in 1909. [2] [1]
He became Doctor of Music (DMus) in 1896, submitting as his doctoral work a setting of Psalm 86, Inclina domine. [1]
During his time in Oxford Harwood acted as conductor of the Oxford Orchestral Association (1892–8), and became the first conductor of the Oxford Bach Choir in 1896. [1] He held the position of Precentor of Keble College between 1892 and 1903, and was Choragus at the university from 1900 until his retirement. [2] [1] He edited The Oxford Hymn Book (1908) [1] as well as acting as an Oxford examiner for several academic years between 1900 and 1915. [2]
Harwood's musical works sit within the 'English' tradition established by Wesley, Stainer, Parry and Stanford. [1] He is best known today for his liturgical works, particularly his anthem O How Glorious is the Kingdom (1898) and his Service in A flat (1892), which still remain popular with English choirs. [1] He wrote numerous hymn tunes, several of which became well-known including Luckington ("Let All the World in Every Corner Sing"), Thornbury ("O Jesus I Have Promised" and " Thy hand, O God, has Guided"), and St Audrey ("Sing ye Faithful, Sing with Gladness"). [3] [1]
He produced a number of choral works, often for church festivals, including Inclina Domine (Gloucester Festival 1898); As by the Streams of Babylon (Oxford Bach Choir 1907); Jesus, Thy Boundless Love (St Paul's Cathedral 1909); Song on May Morning (Leeds Festival 1913); Love Incarnate (Gloucester Festival 1925); Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem (Gloucester Festival 1928); and Sacrifice Triumphant (1939). [2]
Harwood's organ style was distinctive and technically challenging. [1] He made significant contributions to the repertory of English Romantic music with works requiring considerable virtuoso technique such as Sonata no.1 in C sharp minor op.5, Dithyramb op.7, and Toccata op.49. [3] His love of plainchant and hymn tunes is often evident in his organ works. [1]
Harwood was deeply religious and was said to have had a quiet, gentle, and reserved personality. [1] On 27 December 1899 he married one of his former pupils, Mabel Ada Jennings (1871–1974). The couple had two sons, John Edward Godfrey (born 1900) and Basil Anthony (born 1903). [1] In 1909 Harwood took early retirement and returned to Gloucestershire to manage his family estate there. [3]
In 1936 Harwood and his wife moved to London, where they remained except for some temporary absences in Bournemouth and then Shiplake during the war. [1] Harwood died on 3 April 1949 at his home, 50 Courtfield Gardens, Kensington, aged 89. [1] His ashes were interred in St Barnabas's Church, Pimlico. [1]