Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1865

Death

:

1942

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Alfred Hollins was a British classical music composer and organist who lived from 1865 to 1942. He was born in Hull, England, on September 11, 1865, to a musical family. His father, William Hollins, was a well-known organist and composer, and his mother, Mary Hollins, was a singer. Alfred Hollins showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later learned to play the organ and became a prodigious talent. Hollins received his early education at the Hull Grammar School, where he excelled in music. He then went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a student of Charles Villiers Stanford and Walter Parratt. He won several prizes and awards during his time at the college, including the prestigious Mendelssohn Scholarship in 1888. After completing his studies, Hollins began his career as an organist and composer. He held several positions as a church organist, including at St. George's Church in Doncaster and St. George's Church in Edinburgh. He also performed as a concert organist, giving recitals throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Hollins was known for his virtuosic organ playing and his innovative compositions. He was particularly skilled at improvisation, and many of his compositions were based on his improvisations. His music was influenced by the Romantic composers of his time, such as Wagner and Liszt, as well as by the English choral tradition. One of Hollins' most famous works is his Concert Overture in C minor, which he composed in 1896. The piece is a dramatic and powerful work, with a soaring melody and intricate harmonies. It was premiered at the Crystal Palace in London and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Hollins also composed several works for the organ, including his famous A Song of Sunshine, which is a bright and cheerful piece that showcases the organ's capabilities. He also composed several hymn tunes, including the popular tune for the hymn "Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun." In addition to his work as a composer and organist, Hollins was also a teacher. He taught at the Royal College of Music and at the Edinburgh College of Music, where he was the principal from 1913 to 1936. He was known for his dedication to his students and for his innovative teaching methods. Hollins' career was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. He suffered a stroke in 1940 and was unable to perform or compose for the remainder of his life. He died on May 17, 1942, at the age of 76. Despite his relatively short career, Alfred Hollins left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. His innovative compositions and virtuosic organ playing continue to inspire musicians and audiences today. He was a true master of his craft and a pioneer in the field of organ music.

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