Cyril Scott
1879 - 1970
British
Summary
Frankfurt with Iwan Knorr where his fellow composition students included
Percy Grainger, Norman O’Neill, Roger Quilter and Balfour Gardiner,
later becoming known as the ‘Frankfurt Group’. He returned to Liverpool
in 1898.
Scott was a prolific composer, writing over four hundred works including
four symphonies, three operas and concerti for piano, violin, cello,
oboe and harpsichord. He became a pioneer of British piano music
producing more piano works than any other British composer at the time
and his music was admired by composers as diverse as Debussy, Strauss,
Stravinsky and Percy Grainger, a lifelong friend.
Scott’s ‘Heroic Suite’ was performed in the UK by Stanislav Richter and
his Symphony No 1 received its premiere in Darmstadt, Germany. His
Symphony No 2 was conducted by Sir Henry Wood at the BBC Proms in 1903
and the Piano Concerto was performed by Sir Thomas Beecham at the
British Music Festival in 1915. Many of his large scale works were
performed at UK festivals including Norwich and Leeds.
Scott’s music was also frequently performed abroad between the First and
Second World Wars and his one-act opera ‘The Alchemist’ was performed
in Essen, Germany in 1925.
Unfortunately, by the start of the Second World War, Scott’s popularity
had declined although he was still in demand as an interpreter of his
own music. There were fewer performances and recordings although he
continued to write prolifically until his death in 1970.
Scott’s lifetime achievements were endorsed by the International Academy
(MusD, FIA 1956), the American Conservatory, Chicago (DMus 1959) and
the Royal Academy of Music, London (1969).
Critical Acclaim
"The father of modern British music" - Eugene Goossens
Performances
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