John Ebenezer West

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Life

Born: December 7 1863

Died: February 28 1929

Biography

John Ebenezer West was born in Hackney, London, England. He was taught at home by his father William West, founder of the North-East London Academy of Music, and studied organ with Frederick Bridge. His mother, Madame Clara West, was a professional soprano, and his sister, Lottie West, a professional contralto soloist, pianist, and teacher. West studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was taught composition by his uncle, Ebenezer Prout, an authority on the fugues of Bach. West held organ posts in London at St. Mary’s, Bourdon Street, St. John of Jerusalem, South Hackney and St. Augustine’s, Queen’s Gate. He conducted various choral societies and choirs in London, Reading, Croydon, Warlingham and the highly regarded Railway Clearing House Male-Voice Choir. In 1884, he became an associate editor with Novello & Company in London. In 1897, West became chief editor and adviser, a post previously occupied by such noticables as Joseph Barnby and John Stainer. He remained with Novello’s for 45 years, 32 as chief editor. He retired shortly before his death in 1929. He was a prolific composer and editor with nearly 500 published pieces. He was a pioneer in the field of editing, especially choral and organ music from earlier centuries. He collapsed on the stage of Westminster Central Hall after conducting the third item in a concert by the Railway Clearing House Male-Voice Choir. He was rushed to nearby Westminster Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

View the Wikipedia article on John Ebenezer West.

List of choral works

Sacred works

Secular works

Partsongs for Mixed Voices

Folksong arrangements for Mixed Voices

 


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Publications

External links

[Hymntime.com]