Edward Bairstow

English composer, Edward Bairstow, was born in Huddersfield in August 1874 and studied composition at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1893 he became an apprentice to Frederick Bridge at Westminster Abbey where he stayed both as pupil and assistant for six years. He held organist positions throughout his life, most notably at York Minster, and conducted for Leeds Philharmonic Society, York Musical Society and the Royal Choral Society. In 1929 he was appointed Professor of Music at Durham University where he also took a Dmus degree. He was knighted in 1932 and received honorary degrees from Leeds and Oxford Universities.

Bairstow’s compositions are mainly for the church. He wrote 29 anthems including ‘Blessed City, ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence’ and ‘Save us, O Lord’ and his settings for the Morning, Communion and Evening services are widely used. He also wrote for organ.