Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 4, 1872 in London, England

Death

:

November 14, 1951 in East Preston, Sussex, England

 

Richard Henry Walthew was a British composer, pianist, and teacher who lived from 1872 to 1951. He was born in London and showed an early aptitude for music, studying piano and composition with various teachers. He later attended the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Frederick Corder and Tobias Matthay. Walthew's early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style of composers such as Brahms and Schumann. He wrote a number of works for piano, including a set of variations on a theme by Schumann and a sonata in A minor. He also composed songs and chamber music, including a string quartet and a piano trio. In 1902, Walthew became a professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music, where he taught for over 30 years. He was known for his rigorous teaching style and his emphasis on technique and musical expression. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as performers and teachers. Walthew's compositions from this period reflect his interest in the music of his contemporaries, including Debussy and Ravel. He wrote a number of works for piano and orchestra, including a piano concerto and a suite for piano and strings. He also composed a ballet, "The Faun," which was performed by the Royal Ballet in 1914. During World War I, Walthew served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, where he was responsible for organizing concerts and other entertainment for the troops. He also composed a number of patriotic songs and marches, including "The British Grenadiers" and "The King's Own Scottish Borderers." After the war, Walthew continued to compose and teach. He wrote a number of works for chamber ensembles, including a string quintet and a wind quintet. He also composed a number of works for solo instruments, including a sonata for violin and piano and a suite for cello and piano. Walthew's later works reflect his interest in the music of the Baroque period. He wrote a number of works for harpsichord, including a suite in G minor and a set of variations on a theme by Handel. He also composed a number of works for choir, including a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Walthew's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of form. His compositions are often influenced by the music of his contemporaries, but also reflect his own unique voice as a composer. He was a respected teacher and mentor to many musicians, and his legacy continues to be felt in the world of classical music today.

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