Alex Lithgow

Alexander Frame Lithgow (1 December 1870 in Glasgow - 12 July 1929 in Launceston, Tasmania) was a Scottish-born, New Zealand and Australian based composer and bandleader known as the "Sousa of the Antipodes".

Youth

In 1876, the Lithgows emigrated to Invercargill, New Zealand aged 6. Alex went to Invercargill Grammar School (now Invercargill Middle School). His family was musical, performing as the six-member Lithgow Concert Company around Southland.

1881 At the age of 11 having had lessons on the Cornet Alex joined the local brass band the Invercargill Garrison Band. Alex also learnt the Violin.

1886 At the age of 16 he advanced to be the band's solo and principal cornetist.

Early Adulthood

1890 At the age of 20 he became their Bandmaster. He also played with the Theatre Royal orchestra as first violin. He won solo cornet titles for the next few years.

1892 His first composition, 'Wairoa', was published. This was named after a ship at Bluff.

1893 At the age of 23 he left Invercargill and toured New Zealand as a professional soloist.

Move to Australia

1894 Aged 24 he left New Zealand and moved to Australia where became conductor of the St Joseph's Total Abstinence Society Band in Launceston Tasmania. He earned his living as a compositor at the The Examiner and the Daily Telegraph.

1900 Alex aged 30 married Elizabeth Hill Telfer at a Presbyterian church at Launceston on 6th June.

1901 He came back briefly to New Zealand to conduct the Woolston Band at Christchurch where at a charity concert the band performed an entire concert of his compositions.

1903 He went back to Launceston St Joseph's Band.

1904 At the age 34 he joined the Australian Army's 12th Battalion Launceston Regiment Band.

1909 He spent his time conducting and being a spontaneous composer for the silent film orchestra at the Lyceum and Princess Theatres.

'The Invercargill March'

At the age of 39 his celebrated quick march, 'The Invercargill March', was handed over to the city of Invercargill. It broke all phonograph sales records, and with 'Parade of the Anzacs' was heard at Gallipoli and on the European front.

It seems this march was written in 1900 as a jig for Symphonic band. When Invercargill was to host the New Zealand national brass band contest in 1909, his brother Tom (at that time conducting the Invercargill Garrison Band) asked Alex for a test piece of music. Alex donated this piece of music and it was presented to the city of Invercargill. On the music Alex wrote "To Invercargill, the Southernmost City in New Zealand (End of the World), and its Citizens, I dedicate this March as a memento of the many pleasant years spent there in my boyhood"

Later life

1922 He returned back to the St Joseph's band for the last time.

1923 He founded and conducted the Launceston Concert Orchestra where he presented many of his compositions plus symphonic jazz. There were more charity all-Lithgow compositions concerts.

1927 At the age of 57 he retired from work and the Band due to ill health.

His marches were published throughout the world and the Americans acclaimed him as 'the Sousa of the Antipodes'. Lithgow produced approximately two hundred marches, as well as numerous pieces for band, orchestra, piano and voice. He acquired no copyrights and many of his pieces, in his immaculate notation, were lost or unpublished. Music dominated his existence, but time for composing was scarce when after a long day's work he cycled home to change for an evening performance or a musical gathering.

12-7-1929 At the age of 59 a few months short of his 60th birthday Lithgow died of cerebral haemorrhage at Launceston. At his funeral massed bands played 'The Invercargill'. He is buried in Carr Villa cemetery. He was survived by his wife, son and two daughters. One of the daughters Pat Ward wrote a book on him. In 1953 a memorial plaque was unveiled at Paterson Street Barracks and a Band Rotunda built in City Park, Launceston. Still today in Tasmania they continue with Lithgow-only concerts. Tasmanians regard him as theirs but to Kiwis he is from Invercargill.

Bibliography

* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100108b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography]
*Lloyd Esler Historian Southland Times
*International Military Music Society NZ Branch
*St Joe's Big Band Launceston
*Ward, Pat, Alex F Lithgow 1870-1929: March Music King (Armadale, W.A.: P. Ward, (c)1990).