Cyril Stanley Christopher (Composer)

Born: June 23, 1897 - Oldbury, Worcestershire, England
Died: March 31, 1979 - Sutton Coldfield, England

The English organist and composer; Cyril Stanley Christopher, studied with Sir Edward Bairstow, Professor C.H. Kitson, Alfred Hollins (organ), G.D. Cunningbam, Ambrose Coviello. He obtained his MusD from Dunelm College.

Cyril Stanley Christopher held numerous posts as a church organist and a choral conductor, lecturer, and adjudicator. He was Organist Emeritus at Carrs Lane Church, Birmingham 1930. He also taught theory (harmony, counterpoint, etc.) at the Birmingham School of Music. Formerly he was Lecturer & Tutor, Bd. of Adult Education at University of Birmingham; Music Master at King Edward's Grammer School; Chorus Master at B. B. C. (Midland Station); Conductor of Dudley Madrigal Society. He has given concerts as a solo organist, concerts of B. B. C., with Birmingham Bach Society, City of Birmingham Choir, etc. He held the titles: FRCO = Fellowship Diploma of Royal College of Organists ((Turpin Prize); FNSM = Fellow of the Birmingham School of Music; LRAM = Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music; ARCM = Associate of Royal Academy of Music. He was married with Maried Mabel Senior.

Cyril Stanley Christopher wrote mainly for chorus, but also instrumental works.

Works

Instrumental:
Variations on an Old English Tune, for string orchestra
2 short symphonic poems: Midsummer Night and The Lone Shore
Two Fantasy-Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano (the 1^st: 1939)
Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano (1954)
Sonata for oboe & piano (1956)
Serenade for wind instruments, cello, and double bass (1967)
Quartet for piano & strings
Sonata (in one movement) for violin & piano
Piano: Three Concert Preludes, Tone Stanzas, etc.
Organ: Sonata Brevis, Rhapsody on a Ground, Three Choral Improvisations, etc.

Vocal:
Hymn of Nature, for soloists, chorus & orchestra
Cantatas, Via Crucis, A New Heaven, for soloists, chorus & organ
Vocal Solo
Five Songs, etc.
Many Motets, Anthems & Part-Songs (mixed, female & male voices)

Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of 20^th Century Classical Musicians (1997); International Who's Who in Music & Musicians' Directory (6^th Edition, 1972)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (July 2011)

Cyril Stanley Christopher: Short Biography | Bach-inspired Piano Works: Works | Recordings | Other Arrangements/Transcriptions: Works | Recordings

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