Frederic Cliffe

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Frederic Cliffe (born May 2, 1857 in Bradford , Yorkshire , † November 19, 1931 in London ) was an English composer .

Cliffe worked as a piano teacher at the Royal College of Music since 1884 . John Ireland and Arthur Benjamin were among his students .

In addition to some songs and smaller instrumental pieces, he wrote a total of only six large-format compositions: two symphonies , a symphonic poem , a violin concerto and two vocal works with orchestra. Cliffe was considered one of the greatest hopes in English music in his younger years; the premiere of his first symphony (April 20, 1889 in London) sparked applause. Cliffe fell silent as a composer around 1910; his compatriot Edward Elgar caused a sensation around this time with his work Enigma Variations . Cliffe's works were already forgotten during his lifetime. Recently they have been rediscovered and re-performed.

Works

  • Symphony No. 1 in C minor, 1889
  • Cloud and Sunshine, symphonic poem, 1890
  • Symphony No. 2 in E minor, 1892
  • Violin Concerto, 1896
  • The Triumph of Alcestis, scene for alto and orchestra, 1902
  • Ode to the North-East Wind, ballad for choir and orchestra, 1906

Discography

The world premiere of his Symphony No. 1 in C minor took place in Malmö in 2003: The Malmö Opera Orchestra under Christopher Fifield recorded the work as well as Cloud and Sunshine ; the Swedish classic label "Sterling" released them.

The violin concerto was released in 2011 by Hyperion Records (The Romantic Violin Concerto Vol. 10, BBC National Orchestra of Wales).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Cliffe, Frederic
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English composer
DATE OF BIRTH May 2, 1857
PLACE OF BIRTH Bradford , Yorkshire
DATE OF DEATH November 19, 1931
Place of death London