Jump to content

Norman Cocker: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m confirming place of birth
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
'''Norman Cocker''' (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953<ref>{{cite book |last= Evans |first= Robert |date= 1997 |title= Dictionary of Composers for the Church in Great Britain and Ireland |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xZCvAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA68 |location= [[London]] |publisher= [[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |page= 68 |isbn= 978-1441137968}}</ref>) was a British [[organ (music)|organist]], choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.<ref>[http://www.naxos.com/person/Norman_Cocker/27122.htm Norman Cocker- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music.]</ref>
'''Norman Cocker''' (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953<ref>{{cite book |last= Evans |first= Robert |date= 1997 |title= Dictionary of Composers for the Church in Great Britain and Ireland |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xZCvAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA68 |location= [[London]] |publisher= [[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |page= 68 |isbn= 978-1441137968}}</ref>) was a British [[organ (music)|organist]], choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.<ref>[http://www.naxos.com/person/Norman_Cocker/27122.htm Norman Cocker- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music.]</ref>


Cocker was born in [[Sowerby Bridge]]<ref>Census for England and Wales, 1889 and 1911</ref>, [[Yorkshire]], England, and became a [[chorister]] at [[Magdalen College, Oxford]]. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship at [[Merton College, Oxford]], but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work. While at Oxford he conducted an ensemble called the Oxford University Light Music Orchestra, taking his amateur players through [[Archibald Joyce]] waltzes and selections from ''[[The Merry Widow]]''.<ref name=light>'Mr Norman Cocker', in ''The Times'', 1 December 1953, p. 10</ref> Norman Cocker held the diploma of [[Royal College of Organists|ARCO]], obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.
Cocker was born in [[Sowerby Bridge]],<ref>Census for England and Wales, 1889 and 1911</ref> [[Yorkshire]], England, and became a [[chorister]] at [[Magdalen College, Oxford]]. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship at [[Merton College, Oxford]], but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work. While at Oxford he conducted an ensemble called the Oxford University Light Music Orchestra, taking his amateur players through [[Archibald Joyce]] waltzes and selections from ''[[The Merry Widow]]''.<ref name=light>'Mr Norman Cocker', in ''The Times'', 1 December 1953, p. 10</ref> Norman Cocker held the diploma of [[Royal College of Organists|ARCO]], obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.


In the First World War Cocker served with the [[Lancashire Fusiliers|16th Lancashire Fusiliers]].<ref name=point/> He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years.<ref name=light/>
In the First World War Cocker served with the [[Lancashire Fusiliers|16th Lancashire Fusiliers]].<ref name=point/> He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years.<ref name=light/>


He was appointed Assistant Organist at [[Manchester Cathedral]] in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and choral master there in 1943,<ref>[http://cdmnet.org/Julian/schemes/cocker1.htm Norman Cocker - Manchester Cathedral]</ref> and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at the [[Wilmslow_Road#Theatres_and_cinemas|Gaumont Cinema]] in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).<ref>Philip L. Scowcroft. [http://www.musicweb-international.com/garlands/49.htm ''A Forty Ninth Garland of Light Music Composers]''</ref>
He was appointed Assistant Organist at [[Manchester Cathedral]] in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and choral master there in 1943,<ref>[http://cdmnet.org/Julian/schemes/cocker1.htm Norman Cocker - Manchester Cathedral]</ref> and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at the [[Wilmslow_Road#Theatres_and_cinemas|Gaumont Cinema]] in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).<ref>Philip L. Scowcroft. [http://www.musicweb-international.com/garlands/49.htm ''A Forty Ninth Garland of Light Music Composers'']</ref>


Norman Cocker is today remembered mainly for his organ compositions, particularly ''Tuba Tune'' (1922), still often performed today and recorded many times.<ref>for instance, ''Stanford and his Contemporaries'', British organ music played by Jennifer Bate, ASV QS 6222 (2000)</ref> There is also a modern edition of four short organ pieces: ''Angelus'', ''Trio'', ''Interlude'' and ''Paean''.<ref>[https://www.musicroom.com/norman-cocker-four-pieces-organ-stah370 ''Four Pieces for Organ'', Stainer & Bell]</ref> Other works include choral anthems and hymns, and also several symphonies especially written for school orchestras, including the orchestra at [[Chetham's School of Music|Chetham's School]].<ref name=guard>Obituary, ''The Manchester Guardian'', 16 November 1953, p. 2</ref><ref>Penny Williams. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8NAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Norman+Cocker%22&pg=PA78 Chetham's: Old and New in Harmony]'' (1986), p. 78</ref> Keith Swallow and John Wilson have recorded his ''Eight Piano Duets'', Op. 5 (1913-15).<ref name=point>''[http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/may06/points_North_cameo2036.htm Points North: Piano Duets]'', Campion Cameo CD 2036 (2006), reviewed at ''MusicWeb International''</ref>
Norman Cocker is today remembered mainly for his organ compositions, particularly ''Tuba Tune'' (1922), still often performed today and recorded many times.<ref>for instance, ''Stanford and his Contemporaries'', British organ music played by Jennifer Bate, ASV QS 6222 (2000)</ref> There is also a modern edition of four short organ pieces: ''Angelus'', ''Trio'', ''Interlude'' and ''Paean''.<ref>[https://www.musicroom.com/norman-cocker-four-pieces-organ-stah370 ''Four Pieces for Organ'', Stainer & Bell]</ref> Other works include choral anthems and hymns, and also several symphonies especially written for school orchestras, including the orchestra at [[Chetham's School of Music|Chetham's School]].<ref name=guard>Obituary, ''The Manchester Guardian'', 16 November 1953, p. 2</ref><ref>Penny Williams. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8NAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Norman+Cocker%22&pg=PA78 Chetham's: Old and New in Harmony]'' (1986), p. 78</ref> Keith Swallow and John Wilson have recorded his ''Eight Piano Duets'', Op. 5 (1913-15).<ref name=point>''[http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/may06/points_North_cameo2036.htm Points North: Piano Duets]'', Campion Cameo CD 2036 (2006), reviewed at ''MusicWeb International''</ref>
Line 42: Line 42:
[[Category:Musicians from Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Musicians from Yorkshire]]
[[Category:British classical organists]]
[[Category:British classical organists]]
[[Category:British male organists]]
[[Category:Cathedral organists]]
[[Category:Cathedral organists]]
[[Category:British classical composers]]
[[Category:British classical composers]]
[[Category:20th-century organists]]
[[Category:20th-century British organists]]
[[Category:20th-century British male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century British male musicians]]
[[Category:Male classical organists]]
[[Category:British male classical organists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Manchester]]
[[Category:Musicians from Manchester]]
[[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]]

Latest revision as of 05:17, 7 November 2024

Norman Cocker (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953[1]) was a British organist, choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.[2]

Cocker was born in Sowerby Bridge,[3] Yorkshire, England, and became a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship at Merton College, Oxford, but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work. While at Oxford he conducted an ensemble called the Oxford University Light Music Orchestra, taking his amateur players through Archibald Joyce waltzes and selections from The Merry Widow.[4] Norman Cocker held the diploma of ARCO, obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.

In the First World War Cocker served with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers.[5] He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years.[4]

He was appointed Assistant Organist at Manchester Cathedral in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and choral master there in 1943,[6] and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at the Gaumont Cinema in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).[7]

Norman Cocker is today remembered mainly for his organ compositions, particularly Tuba Tune (1922), still often performed today and recorded many times.[8] There is also a modern edition of four short organ pieces: Angelus, Trio, Interlude and Paean.[9] Other works include choral anthems and hymns, and also several symphonies especially written for school orchestras, including the orchestra at Chetham's School.[10][11] Keith Swallow and John Wilson have recorded his Eight Piano Duets, Op. 5 (1913-15).[5]

Cocker was also an amateur magician and a good cook.[10]

Cultural offices
Preceded by
Archibald Wilson
 Organist and Master of the Choristers of Manchester Cathedral
1943–1953 		Succeeded by

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Evans, Robert (1997). Dictionary of Composers for the Church in Great Britain and Ireland. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-1441137968.
  2. ^ Norman Cocker- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music.
  3. ^ Census for England and Wales, 1889 and 1911
  4. ^ a b 'Mr Norman Cocker', in The Times, 1 December 1953, p. 10
  5. ^ a b Points North: Piano Duets, Campion Cameo CD 2036 (2006), reviewed at MusicWeb International
  6. ^ Norman Cocker - Manchester Cathedral
  7. ^ Philip L. Scowcroft. A Forty Ninth Garland of Light Music Composers
  8. ^ for instance, Stanford and his Contemporaries, British organ music played by Jennifer Bate, ASV QS 6222 (2000)
  9. ^ Four Pieces for Organ, Stainer & Bell
  10. ^ a b Obituary, The Manchester Guardian, 16 November 1953, p. 2
  11. ^ Penny Williams. Chetham's: Old and New in Harmony (1986), p. 78
[edit]
Cultural offices
Preceded by
Archibald Wilson
 Organist and Master of the Choristers of Manchester Cathedral
1943–1953 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Norman_Cocker&oldid=1255895508"