Martin Neary
Encyclopedia
Martin Neary LVO
(born 28 March 1940, London
) is an English
organist
and choral conductor. He was Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral
from 1972 to 1988, and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey
from 1988 to 1998. Martin Neary, read theology and music at Cambridge University.
As the organist at Westminster Abbey, he was the musical director of the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales
, for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
in the New Year Honours List in 1998.
He has been particularly active in the promotion of the music of John Tavener
, whose "Song for Athene
" was performed by the choir of the Abbey as Diana's coffin was borne out by the pallbearer
s.
On 22 April 1998, The Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, dismissed Dr Neary from his position at Westminster Abbey
on the grounds of gross misconduct. Dr Neary petitioned Her Majesty The Queen
, as Visitor of the Abbey, to resolve the dispute. The Queen appointed Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle to be her Commissioner, and he determined that the summary dismissal was justified. The report also stated that Dr Neary’s well recognised musical abilities, and the hard work which he and Mrs Neary had done on behalf of the Abbey and the choir, were not in question.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(born 28 March 1940, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
) is an English
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...
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...
and choral conductor. He was Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
from 1972 to 1988, and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
from 1988 to 1998. Martin Neary, read theology and music at Cambridge University.
As the organist at Westminster Abbey, he was the musical director of the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in the New Year Honours List in 1998.
He has been particularly active in the promotion of the music of John Tavener
John Tavener
Sir John Tavener is a British composer, best known for such religious, minimal works as "The Whale", and "Funeral Ikos"...
, whose "Song for Athene
Song for Athene
"Song for Athene" is a musical composition by British composer John Tavener with lyrics by Mother Thekla, an Orthodox nun, which is intended to be sung a cappella by a four-part choir...
" was performed by the choir of the Abbey as Diana's coffin was borne out by the pallbearer
Pallbearer
A pall-bearer is one of several funeral participants who helps carry the casket of a deceased person from a religious or memorial service or viewing either directly to a cemetery or mausoleum, or to and from the hearse which carries the coffin....
s.
On 22 April 1998, The Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, dismissed Dr Neary from his position at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
on the grounds of gross misconduct. Dr Neary petitioned Her Majesty The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, as Visitor of the Abbey, to resolve the dispute. The Queen appointed Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle to be her Commissioner, and he determined that the summary dismissal was justified. The report also stated that Dr Neary’s well recognised musical abilities, and the hard work which he and Mrs Neary had done on behalf of the Abbey and the choir, were not in question.