Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

September 28, 1881

Death

:

January 14, 1961

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Henry Geehl was a British composer and pianist who was born on August 15, 1881, in London, England. He was the son of a German father and an English mother, and his family was musically inclined. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Geehl showed a talent for music, and he began taking piano lessons when he was just five years old. Geehl's musical education continued throughout his childhood and adolescence. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Tobias Matthay, a renowned piano teacher. He also studied composition with Frederick Corder and piano with Percy Pitt. Geehl was a gifted student, and he won several prizes and awards during his time at the academy. After completing his studies, Geehl began his career as a pianist and composer. He performed in concerts throughout England and Europe, and he also worked as a music teacher. In 1914, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a stretcher-bearer during World War I. He was later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he served as a musician and composer. During his time in the military, Geehl composed several pieces of music, including marches and songs. After the war, Geehl returned to his career as a pianist and composer. He continued to perform in concerts and to compose music for various occasions. He also worked as a music director for several theaters and film studios. In 1934, he was appointed as the musical director of the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, where he composed music for many films. Geehl's compositions were varied and included works for piano, orchestra, and voice. He was particularly known for his songs, which were often performed by famous singers of the time. Some of his most popular songs include "The Blue Danube," "The Nightingale," and "The Star of Bethlehem." He also composed several operettas, including "The Rebel Maid" and "The Girl in the Taxi." In addition to his work as a composer, Geehl was also a respected music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was known for his innovative teaching methods, which emphasized the importance of technique and expression in music. Geehl's career spanned several decades, and he continued to compose and perform music until his death in 1961. His legacy as a composer and educator lives on, and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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