Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1916

Death

:

1996

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Douglas Guest was a British composer and conductor who was born on June 4, 1916, in Birmingham, England. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Guest showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano and singing in choirs. Guest attended King Edward's School in Birmingham, where he was a member of the school choir. He went on to study music at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gordon Jacob. He also studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. After completing his studies, Guest worked as a music teacher and conductor. He was the director of music at St. Margaret's School in Bushey, Hertfordshire, from 1946 to 1950. He then became the director of music at the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, where he remained until his retirement in 1981. Guest was a prolific composer, and his works include choral music, organ music, and chamber music. He was particularly known for his choral music, which was often written for church choirs. His works are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and sensitive use of text. One of Guest's most famous works is his anthem "For the Fallen," which was written in 1941 in memory of those who died in World War II. The piece is a setting of Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen" and is often performed at Remembrance Day services. Another well-known work is his "Evening Hymn," which is a setting of a text by Henry Francis Lyte. The piece is often sung at evensong services in Anglican churches. Guest's other choral works include "The Lord is my Shepherd," "O Clap Your Hands," and "Sing Joyfully." He also wrote a number of organ pieces, including "Prelude on 'St. Columba'" and "Toccata on 'Veni Emmanuel'." His chamber music includes a string quartet and a sonata for violin and piano. Guest was also a respected conductor and worked with a number of choirs and orchestras. He was the conductor of the Rickmansworth Choral Society from 1950 to 1970 and the conductor of the Hertfordshire Chorus from 1960 to 1970. He also conducted the London Mozart Players and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Guest was awarded the OBE in 1981 for his services to music. He died on November 12, 1996, at the age of 80. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by choirs and audiences around the world.

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