Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1900

Death

:

1975

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Eric Harding Thiman was a British composer, pianist, and organist who was born on 10 October 1900 in Ashford, Kent, England. He was the son of a Congregational minister and was raised in a musical family. Thiman's mother was a pianist, and his father was a singer, so he was exposed to music from an early age. Thiman began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for music. Thiman attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Charles Villiers Stanford and piano with Herbert Fryer. He won several prizes for his compositions while at the college, including the Cobbett Prize for Chamber Music in 1922. Thiman also studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1923 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1926. After completing his studies, Thiman became a professor of harmony and counterpoint at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He also served as the organist and choirmaster at several churches in London, including St. Michael's Church in Highgate and St. George's Church in Hanover Square. Thiman was a prolific composer, and his works include choral music, chamber music, piano music, and hymns. One of Thiman's most famous works is his setting of the hymn "Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart." The hymn was written by Thiman's father, and Thiman composed the music for it in 1932. The hymn has since become a staple in many Christian churches and is often sung at weddings and funerals. Thiman's choral music is also well-known and has been performed by choirs around the world. His choral works include "The Lord is My Shepherd," "O Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord," and "Thee, O God, I Praise." Thiman's choral music is characterized by its simple melodies and harmonies, which make it accessible to both amateur and professional choirs. Thiman's chamber music includes several works for string quartet, including his String Quartet No. 1 in D Major and his String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor. Thiman's chamber music is notable for its lyrical melodies and rich harmonies. Thiman's piano music includes several sets of preludes and fugues, as well as several sonatas and other works for solo piano. Thiman's piano music is characterized by its technical demands and its use of complex harmonies. Thiman was also a prolific arranger of music, and he arranged many works for choir and orchestra. His arrangements include "The Holly and the Ivy," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Once in Royal David's City." Thiman continued to compose and perform music throughout his life, and he was awarded several honors for his contributions to music. He was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music in 1948 and was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1961. Thiman died on 13 December 1975 in London, England, at the age of 75. In conclusion, Eric Thiman was a British composer, pianist, and organist who was known for his choral music, chamber music, piano music, and hymns. He was a prolific composer who won several prizes for his compositions and was a professor of harmony and counterpoint at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Thiman's music is characterized by its simple melodies and harmonies, its technical demands, and its use of complex harmonies. Thiman's contributions to music have made him a beloved figure in the world of classical music, and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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