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Edwin Stephenson (organist)

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Edwin Stephenson
Born1871 (1871)
Died1922 (aged 50–51)
NationalityEnglish
EducationRoyal College of Music
Occupationchurch organist
Years active1888–1922
Known forTudor church music, organ compositions

Edwin Stephenson (1871–1922) was an English cathedral organist, who served in St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham.[1]

Background

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He was born in Windermere, Cumbria in 1871. He was a pupil at the Royal College of Music.

His career started early when at the age of 14 he was appointed to Cartmel Priory as organist.[2]

He was a proponent of Tudor church music and he published the Lamentations of Robert Whyte (a former organist at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster).

At a time when many organ recitals favoured transcriptions of orchestral works, Stephenson eschewed them in favour of organ compositions. His recital programmes included the sonatas and larger chorale fantasias of Max Reger and the later symphonies of Charles Widor.

Career

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Organist of:

Cultural offices
Preceded by
Arthur Elmore
Organist and Master of the Choristers of St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham
1906–1914
Succeeded by
Preceded by Organist of St. Margaret's Church, Westminster
1914–1922
Succeeded by
Herbert Dawson

References

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  1. ^ The Succession of Organists. Watkins Shaw.
  2. ^ Musical Times. Vol 63. 1 Nov 1922