Frederic Cliffe

Frederic Cliffe (* 1857; † 19. November 1931) was an English composer.

Life

As a youth, Cliffe showed a promising musical aptitude and was enrolled as a scholar of the National Training School for Music, the parent of the Royal College of Music, under its first Principal Arthur Sullivan [http://www.cph.rcm.ac.uk/Tour/Pages/Cliffe.htm Frederic Cliffe ] ] .

From 1884 to 1931 he held the post of Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music. Among his pupils were John Ireland and Arthur Benjamin.

Cliffe had a short career as a composer from 1889 to 1905. His principal works were two Symphonies, the first of which was produced at The Crystal Palace in 1889, and subsequently performed at a Philharmonic concert, being well received on each occasion, with "The Daily Telegraph" hailing it as "a masterpiece". Although not overtly programmatic, its first movement was influenced by a visit to Norway by Cliffe. His Second Symphony had its first performance at the Leeds Festival in 1892. Cliffe gave titles to each of its movements: I. At Sunset. II. Night. III. Fairy Revels. IV. Morning.

His 'scena', "The Triumph of Alcestis", for contralto voice and orchestra, was composed for Clara Butt.

After that seven year period of composing substantial works, he had no record of further major composition and his works received few subsequent performances during his lifetime.

His Violin Concerto in D minor was edited in 2007 by Christopher Fifield and published by Patrick Meadows, and will soon be recorded with Fifield conducting.

[ [http://www.musicweb-international.com/cliffe/index.htm Frederick CLIFFE British Composer ] ] . Only recently have they been rediscovered and recorded ["Frederic Cliffe: Symphony No. 1; Cloud and Sunshine", Sterling CDS-1055-2 (2003), Malmö Opera Orchestra, conductor Christopher Fifield.] .

Works

*"Symphony in C minor ", 1889
*"Orchestral Picture: Cloud and Sunshine", Philharmonic Society 1890
*"Symphony in E minor", 1892
*"Violin Concerto in D minor", 1896 (pub. 2007 Soundpost)
*"The Triumph of Alcestis", Scena for Contralto and Orchestra, Sheffield Festival 1902
*"Ode to the North-East Wind", Choral Ballad, Norwich Festival 1905

References

External links

[http://www.cph.rcm.ac.uk/Tour/Pages/Cliffe.htm Royal College of Music, Centre for Performance History collections]

[http://www.musicweb-international.com/cliffe/index.htm MusicWeb, article by Jürgen Schaarwächter]