Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1865

Death

:

1934

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Edwin Henry Lemare was a British-born classical music composer and organist who lived from 1865 to 1934. He was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England, to a family of musicians. His father, Edwin Lemare, was a church organist, and his mother, Sarah, was a singer. From a young age, Lemare showed a great interest in music and began playing the piano and organ at the age of six. Lemare's musical education began at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under the renowned organist and composer, Sir George Alexander Macfarren. He quickly became a prodigious talent, winning numerous awards and accolades for his performances. In 1884, he was appointed organist at St. John's Church in Kensington, London, where he remained for six years. In 1892, Lemare moved to the United States, where he quickly established himself as one of the leading organists of his time. He was appointed organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, where he remained for four years. During this time, he also gave numerous recitals and concerts throughout the United States, earning a reputation as a virtuoso performer. Lemare's compositions were heavily influenced by the Romantic era, and he was known for his use of rich harmonies and complex textures. He wrote numerous works for the organ, including symphonies, sonatas, and preludes. His most famous work is the Symphony No. 1 in G minor, which was premiered in 1901 at the St. Louis World's Fair. The symphony was a critical and commercial success, and it remains one of his most popular works to this day. In addition to his work as a composer and organist, Lemare was also a prolific arranger. He arranged numerous works for the organ, including transcriptions of orchestral works by composers such as Wagner, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky. His arrangements were highly regarded for their technical virtuosity and musical sensitivity. Lemare's career was not without controversy, however. In 1902, he was involved in a scandal when it was discovered that he had plagiarized a work by the French composer Charles-Marie Widor. The incident caused a great deal of embarrassment for Lemare, and it damaged his reputation as a composer. Despite this setback, Lemare continued to compose and perform throughout his life. He returned to England in 1914, where he was appointed organist at the prestigious St. Margaret's Church in Westminster. He remained in this position until his death in 1934. Today, Lemare is remembered as one of the most important organists and composers of his time. His works continue to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world, and his legacy as a virtuoso performer and innovative composer lives on.

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