Francis G. Sanders (Organ, Arranger)

Born: England

Francis G. Sanders was the organist of St. Peter, Granleigh Gardens in London in the 1910’s. He was also an occasional concert pianist and musical assistance to whom Henry J. Wood entrusted many jobs of orchestrations. A postcard thanking Sanders for "all you help and assistance" in the 1911 Sheffield Festival added : " I don't know what I should do without you - you are always so kind, reliable and prompt.

Francis G. Sanders’ own name appeared in 1919 promenade schedule as orchestrator of one if J.S. Bach's masterpieces for organ, the Passacaglia in C Minor. In general, however, his services were anonymous, in fulfillment of Henry J. Wood's instructions, and Henry J. Wood took the credit. Such was, and is, a recognized role for the assistance (as a kind of devil) to a perpetually busy conductor. It must be said, however, that the single mention of Sanders in the book Music of Life gives no inkling of closeness and length (at least from 1907 ti 1939) of their collaboration. Only when a collection of letters from Henry J. Wood to Sanders came to light (they were put up for sale at Sotheby's in December 1992) was this essential aspect of Wood's working life revealed.

Source: Arthur Jacobs: "Henry J. Wood Maker of the Proms", pp. 128-129
Contributed by Aggelos Tsompanidis (May 2011)

Francis G. Sanders: Short Biography | Arrangements/Transcriptions: Works | Recordings

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