Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

April 22, 1906 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England

Death

:

February 18, 1997 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Eric Fenby was a British composer, conductor, and musicologist who is best known for his close association with the English composer Frederick Delius. Fenby was born on April 22, 1906, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Fenby showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He later studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of the composer and conductor Sir Adrian Boult. After completing his studies, Fenby worked as a music teacher and organist in various churches. In 1928, Fenby read an article in the Musical Times about the English composer Frederick Delius, who was then living in France and suffering from blindness and paralysis. Fenby was deeply moved by Delius's story and decided to offer his services as a copyist and amanuensis. He wrote to Delius, who accepted his offer and invited him to come to France. Fenby arrived in Grez-sur-Loing, near Paris, in June 1928, and began working with Delius. He soon discovered that Delius was unable to write down his musical ideas because of his blindness and paralysis. Fenby offered to transcribe Delius's music from dictation, and over the next six years, he worked closely with the composer, transcribing his music and helping him to complete his final works. Fenby's work with Delius was a major highlight of his career. He transcribed some of Delius's most famous works, including the opera "A Village Romeo and Juliet," the tone poem "Brigg Fair," and the orchestral suite "Florida Suite." He also helped Delius to complete his final work, the opera "Fennimore and Gerda," which was premiered in 1951, two years after Delius's death. In addition to his work with Delius, Fenby was also a composer in his own right. He wrote a number of works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, and songs. His most famous work is the orchestral suite "Rossini on Ilkla Moor," which is a humorous tribute to the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini. Fenby was also a respected conductor and musicologist. He conducted many of Delius's works and was a leading authority on his music. He wrote several books about Delius, including "Delius as I Knew Him" and "The Music of Frederick Delius." He also wrote a biography of the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Fenby received many awards and honors during his career. In 1953, he was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. He was also awarded the Delius Medal by the Delius Society in 1971. In 1984, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of York. Fenby continued to work as a composer, conductor, and musicologist until his death on February 18, 1997, at the age of 90. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of British classical music, and his work with Delius is considered to be one of the most remarkable collaborations in the history of music.

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