Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1896

Death

:

1976

 

Maurice Jacobson was a British composer, conductor, and musicologist who made significant contributions to the classical music world during the 20th century. Born on October 23, 1896, in London, Jacobson was the son of a Jewish immigrant family from Poland. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a seamstress. Jacobson showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Jacobson's musical education began at the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition with Charles Villiers Stanford and piano with Tobias Matthay. He also studied conducting with Adrian Boult and Malcolm Sargent. After completing his studies, Jacobson worked as a freelance composer and conductor, and he also taught music at various schools and colleges. Jacobson's early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style of the late 19th century, but he later developed a more modernist approach. His works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, choral music, and songs. Some of his most notable compositions include his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1927, and his Piano Concerto, which was premiered in 1931. In addition to his work as a composer, Jacobson was also a respected musicologist. He wrote several books on music, including a biography of the composer Gustav Holst and a study of the music of the Renaissance composer William Byrd. He also edited and arranged music by other composers, including Bach, Handel, and Purcell. During World War II, Jacobson served in the British Army as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. After the war, he continued to work as a composer and conductor, and he also became involved in music education. He was a professor of music at the University of Cape Town in South Africa from 1952 to 1956, and he later taught at the Royal College of Music in London. Jacobson's later compositions continued to explore modernist techniques, but he also incorporated elements of traditional Jewish music into his work. His Jewish Suite, which was premiered in 1955, is a collection of pieces based on Jewish folk melodies. He also wrote several works for Jewish liturgy, including a setting of the Sabbath evening service. Jacobson's contributions to the classical music world were recognized with several awards and honors. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1964, and he received the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1971. He died on December 2, 1976, in London, at the age of 80. In conclusion, Maurice Jacobson was a talented composer, conductor, and musicologist who made significant contributions to the classical music world during the 20th century. His compositions explored both traditional and modernist techniques, and his work as a musicologist helped to shed light on the music of other composers. His legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

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