Harold Craxton
Encyclopedia
Thomas Harold Hunt Craxton, OBE (30 April 188530 March 1971) was an English
pianist
and composer
.
Craxton studied piano
at the Tobias Matthay
Pianoforte School and made a name for himself early in his career as an accompanist with performers such as Dame Nellie Melba
, Dame Clara Butt
, Lionel Tertis
and John McCormack.
In 1919 he became a professor
at the Royal Academy of Music
. He remained there until 1961, although he continued teaching from his studio long into his later years. Some notable students included: Ronald Kinloch Anderson, John Bingham, Joyce Howard Barrell
, Howard Brown
, Christine Croshaw, Alexander Kelly
, Denis Matthews
, A. A. Owen, and Alan Richardson.
Craxton was also an active composer
. His first published work was the "Three Pieces for Pianoforte" (1911). Some of his songs were recorded by John McCormack and Lauritz Melchior
. He also collected musical compositions in association with Alfred Edward Moffat
.
Craxton and his wife Essie had one daughter and five sons, including the artist John Craxton
, the BBC Television Producer Antony Craxton and the distinguished oboist Janet Craxton
.
Craxton died aged 85 in 1971.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and 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...
.
Craxton studied 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...
at the Tobias Matthay
Tobias Matthay
Tobias Augustus Matthay was an English pianist, teacher, and composer.-Biography:Matthaw as born in London in 1858 to parents who had come from northern Germany and were naturalised British subjects...
Pianoforte School and made a name for himself early in his career as an accompanist with performers such as Dame Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...
, Dame Clara Butt
Clara Butt
Dame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
, Lionel Tertis
Lionel Tertis
Lionel Tertis, CBE was an English violist and one of the first viola players to find international fame.Tertis was born in West Hartlepool, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, and initially studied the violin in Leipzig and at the Royal Academy of Music in London...
and John McCormack.
In 1919 he became a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
. He remained there until 1961, although he continued teaching from his studio long into his later years. Some notable students included: Ronald Kinloch Anderson, John Bingham, Joyce Howard Barrell
Joyce Howard Barrell
Joyce Howard Barrell, née Gedye , was an English composer. She was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and was educated at Leicester University, studying with Benjamin Burrows and Harold Craxton for piano and Grace Burrows for violin. After completing her studies, Barrell worked as composer and...
, Howard Brown
Howard Brown (pianist)
Howard Fuller Brown is a Canadian pianist, harpsichordist, and music educator. He was active as a concert pianist and recitalist in Atlantic Canada during the mid-twentieth century, appearing as a soloist with many important Canadian symphony orchestras...
, Christine Croshaw, Alexander Kelly
Alexander Kelly (pianist)
Alexander Kelly was a British pianist, composer and former head of keyboard studies at the Royal Academy of Music....
, Denis Matthews
Denis Matthews
Denis Matthews was an English pianist and musicologist.Denis James Matthews was born in Coventry, the son of a motor salesman. He attended Arnold Lodge School, Leamington Spa, from 1927 to 1932 and Warwick School from October 1932 to the summer of 1936, when he left to study at the Royal Academy...
, A. A. Owen, and Alan Richardson.
Craxton was also an active 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...
. His first published work was the "Three Pieces for Pianoforte" (1911). Some of his songs were recorded by John McCormack and Lauritz Melchior
Lauritz Melchior
Lauritz Melchior was a Danish and later American opera singer. He was the pre-eminent Wagnerian tenor of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, and has since come to be considered the quintessence of his voice type.-Biography:...
. He also collected musical compositions in association with Alfred Edward Moffat
Alfred Edward Moffat
Alfred Edward Moffat was a Scottish musician, composer and collector of music. He was born in Edinburgh on 4th December 1863. His father was John Moffat, a photographer, and his mother was Sophia Maria Knott. He was educated at Edinburgh Collegiate School in 27-28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh....
.
Craxton and his wife Essie had one daughter and five sons, including the artist John Craxton
John Craxton
John Leith Craxton, RA, was an English painter. He was sometimes called a neo-Romantic artist but he preferred to be known as a "kind of Arcadian".-Career:...
, the BBC Television Producer Antony Craxton and the distinguished oboist Janet Craxton
Janet Craxton
Janet Helen Rosemary Craxton was an English oboe player and teacher. She was the youngest of the six children and the only daughter of the pianist and teacher Harold Craxton. Her older brothers included the artist John Craxton...
.
Craxton died aged 85 in 1971.
External links
- Craxton Memorial Trust
- Christopher Howell: Remembering Harold Craxton
- Obituary of his second son Anthony.