Cecil Coles

Cecil Frederick Coles (October 7 1888 – April 26 1918), was a Scottish composer who was killed on active service in World War I [ [http://www.bardic-music.com/Coles.htm Brief biography] ] .

Coles was born in Kirkcudbright, and educated at George Watson’s School, Edinburgh. In 1907 he went to the Royal College of Music on a scholarship. He later studied at Edinburgh University and Stuttgart Conservatory. On completion of his studies, he became assistant conductor to the Stuttgart Royal Opera and was organist of St. Katherine's, an English church in the city. He married Phoebe Relton, and returned to the UK in 1913. When war broke out, he joined the Queen's Victoria Rifles and became their bandmaster. While on active service, he sent manuscripts home to his friend Gustav Holst. He was killed by German sniper fire on the Western Front, while helping recover casualties. He was buried at Crouy.

Coles' work was "rediscovered" in a 2001 recording [ [http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/details/67293.asp Hyperion website] ] .

Works

Piano

*"Intermezzo" (1911)
*"Rondo in A minor" (1909)

Orchestral

*"Fra Giacomo" (cantata) (1914)
*"Scherzo in A minor"
*"Overture: The Comedy of Errors"
*"Sorrowful Dance"

References