Alfred Hollins
Encyclopedia
Alfred Hollins was a respected English
organist
, composer
and teacher who was a famous recitalist in Scotland.
from birth. His mother died while he was very young, and very little is known about his father. After his mother's death Hollins was sent to live with his "Aunt Mary", who gave him his first piano
lesson. It is rumoured that Hollins had perfect pitch and upon hearing any two notes on the piano could name them.
In 1878 Hollins enrolled at the Royal Normal College for the Blind at Upper Norwood. He impressed the Principal of his potential as a musician such that he was given the opportunity to study with Fritz Hartvigson on the piano
and Dr E.J. Hopkins on the organ
. Hollins then presented several successful concerts including one at the Crystal Palace
where he performed the solo
part of the Emperor Concerto and a concert at Windsor
in the presence of Queen Victoria.
The opportunity arose for Hollins to study in Berlin
under Hans von Bülow
. While in Germany
Hollins gave a series of concerts - at one time playing three concerti in the one evening - The Liszt
Eb, the Schumann
A minor and the ‘Emperor’. He played before the royal families of Germany and the Low Countries
.
In 1884 Hollins was given his first professional appointment as an organist
, at St John's, Redhill
. In 1885 Hollins appeared at the Music and Inventions Exhibition in 1885 – this time playing the concert organ. Shortly afterwards another period of study presented itself at the Hoch Conservatory
in Frankfurt.
In the ensuing eleven years, Hollins was organist at Upper Norwood
Presbyterian Church, at the People's Palace (Crystal Palace) and teaching piano and organ at the Royal Normal College for the Blind. During this period Hollins also made a tour of the United States
, and visited major concert halls at the time.
Soon the Reverend Hugh Black, assistant minister at the Free St. George's Church in Edinburgh
persuaded the Presbyterian kirk to allow the installation of an organ at St. George's. An organ was procured. According to some stories, Black traveled to Nottingham
to hear Hollins play, and offered Hollins the position there and then. Hollins accepted the offer and was then committed to St. George's for the rest of his life.
Hollins did make multiple concert tours. In 1904, Hollins toured New Zealand
and Australia
. In 1907, 1909 and 1916 he went to South Africa
to give a series of concerts at Johannesburg
and Cape Town
, giving the opening recital for the organ at the new Town Hall in Cape Town. He had been instrumental in developing the specification for the organ. In 1913 he played in Germany, recording for the Welte Philharmonic Organ.
In 1922, Hollins was awarded an Honorary Doctorate
of Music from Edinburgh University in 1922. This was in addition to being made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Organists
in 1904.
In 1925/26 Hollins gave a major tour of the United States, during which he visited sixty-five cities. It has been estimated that Hollins traveled some 600,000 miles on his concert tours.
In later years, Hollins wrote A Blind Musician Looks Back, his memories as an organist and teacher.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and teacher who was a famous recitalist in Scotland.
Biography
Hollins was blindBlindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
from birth. His mother died while he was very young, and very little is known about his father. After his mother's death Hollins was sent to live with his "Aunt Mary", who gave him his first piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lesson. It is rumoured that Hollins had perfect pitch and upon hearing any two notes on the piano could name them.
In 1878 Hollins enrolled at the Royal Normal College for the Blind at Upper Norwood. He impressed the Principal of his potential as a musician such that he was given the opportunity to study with Fritz Hartvigson on the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and Dr E.J. Hopkins on the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
. Hollins then presented several successful concerts including one at the Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
where he performed the solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
part of the Emperor Concerto and a concert at Windsor
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
in the presence of Queen Victoria.
The opportunity arose for Hollins to study in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
under Hans von Bülow
Hans von Bülow
Hans Guido Freiherr von Bülow was a German conductor, virtuoso pianist, and composer of the Romantic era. He was one of the most famous conductors of the 19th century, and his activity was critical for establishing the successes of several major composers of the time, including Richard...
. While in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Hollins gave a series of concerts - at one time playing three concerti in the one evening - The Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
Eb, the Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
A minor and the ‘Emperor’. He played before the royal families of Germany and the Low Countries
Low Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
.
In 1884 Hollins was given his first professional appointment as an organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, at St John's, Redhill
St John's, Redhill
St John's is a hamlet on the fringes of Redhill, Surrey. The small community is now a conservation area circled by Earlswood and Redhill Common. St John's is in one of the three ecclesiastical parishes that make-up Redhill...
. In 1885 Hollins appeared at the Music and Inventions Exhibition in 1885 – this time playing the concert organ. Shortly afterwards another period of study presented itself at the Hoch Conservatory
Hoch Conservatory
Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium - Musikakademie was founded in Frankfurt am Main on September 22, 1878. Through the generosity of Frankfurter Joseph Hoch, who bequeathed the Conservatory one million German gold marks in his testament, a school for music and the arts was established for all age groups. ...
in Frankfurt.
In the ensuing eleven years, Hollins was organist at Upper Norwood
Upper Norwood
Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood...
Presbyterian Church, at the People's Palace (Crystal Palace) and teaching piano and organ at the Royal Normal College for the Blind. During this period Hollins also made a tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and visited major concert halls at the time.
Soon the Reverend Hugh Black, assistant minister at the Free St. George's Church in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
persuaded the Presbyterian kirk to allow the installation of an organ at St. George's. An organ was procured. According to some stories, Black traveled to Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
to hear Hollins play, and offered Hollins the position there and then. Hollins accepted the offer and was then committed to St. George's for the rest of his life.
Hollins did make multiple concert tours. In 1904, Hollins toured New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 1907, 1909 and 1916 he went to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to give a series of concerts at Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, giving the opening recital for the organ at the new Town Hall in Cape Town. He had been instrumental in developing the specification for the organ. In 1913 he played in Germany, recording for the Welte Philharmonic Organ.
In 1922, Hollins was awarded an Honorary Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
of Music from Edinburgh University in 1922. This was in addition to being made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
in 1904.
In 1925/26 Hollins gave a major tour of the United States, during which he visited sixty-five cities. It has been estimated that Hollins traveled some 600,000 miles on his concert tours.
In later years, Hollins wrote A Blind Musician Looks Back, his memories as an organist and teacher.
External links
- MusicWeb Biography, list of works, etc.