Ivor Atkins
Encyclopedia
Sir Ivor Algernon Atkins (29 November 1869 – 26 November 1953) was the choirmaster and organist at Worcester Cathedral
for over 50 years (1897-1950). He is well known for editing Allegri's Miserere with the famous top-C part for the treble
. He is also well known for The Three Kings, an arrangement of a song by Peter Cornelius
as a choral work for Epiphany.
Born into a Welsh musical family at Llandaff
, Atkins graduated with a bachelor of music degree from The Queen's College, Oxford
in 1892, and subsequently obtained a Doctorate in Music (Oxford). He was assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral
(1890-1893) and organist of St Laurence Church, Ludlow
from 1893 to 1897.
He composed songs, church music, service settings and anthems. With Edward Elgar
he prepared an edition of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Knighted in 1921 for services to music, Atkins was President of the Royal College of Organists
from 1935 to 1936. He died in Worcester
.
He was a friend of Edward Elgar, who in 1904 dedicated the third of his Pomp and Circumstance Marches
to Atkins.
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
for over 50 years (1897-1950). He is well known for editing Allegri's Miserere with the famous top-C part for the treble
Boy soprano
A boy soprano is a young male singer with an unchanged voice in the soprano range. Although a treble, or choirboy, may also be considered to be a boy soprano, the more colloquial term boy soprano is generally only used for boys who sing, perform, or record as soloists, and who may not necessarily...
. He is also well known for The Three Kings, an arrangement of a song by Peter Cornelius
Peter Cornelius
Carl August Peter Cornelius was a German composer, writer about music, poet and translator. He was born and died in Mainz where his grave in the Hauptfriedhof survives....
as a choral work for Epiphany.
Born into a Welsh musical family at Llandaff
Llandaff
Llandaff is a district in the north of Cardiff, capital of Wales, having been incorporated into the city in 1922. It is the seat of the Church in Wales Bishop of Llandaff, whose diocese covers the most populous area of South Wales. Much of the district is covered by parkland known as Llandaff...
, Atkins graduated with a bachelor of music degree from The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
in 1892, and subsequently obtained a Doctorate in Music (Oxford). He was assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
The current Hereford Cathedral, located at Hereford in England, dates from 1079. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediæval map of the world dating from the 13th century. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.-Origins:...
(1890-1893) and organist of St Laurence Church, Ludlow
St Laurence Church, Ludlow
St Laurence's Church, Ludlow is a parish church in the Church of England in Ludlow.-Background:The parish church was established as a Norman place of worship in association with the founding of Ludlow in the 11th century AD. This parish church in Shropshire, England contains an extensive set of...
from 1893 to 1897.
He composed songs, church music, service settings and anthems. With Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
he prepared an edition of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Knighted in 1921 for services to music, Atkins was President 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...
from 1935 to 1936. He died in Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
.
He was a friend of Edward Elgar, who in 1904 dedicated the third of his Pomp and Circumstance Marches
Pomp and Circumstance Marches
The "Pomp and Circumstance Marches" , Op. 39 are a series of marches for orchestra composed by Sir Edward Elgar....
to Atkins.