William Hurlstone

William Yeates Hurlstone (7 January, 1876 – 30 May, 1906) was an English composer who studied at the Royal College of Music, after gaining a scholarship. He was a classically trained pianist and performed many works by famous composers. In 1906 he returned to the college as Professor of Counterpoint, only to die later that year of bronchial asthma.

He wrote a number of pieces for soloists, including Sonata in F for Bassoon and Piano, 'Trio in G minor' for clarinet, bassoon and piano and 'Quintet in G minor' for wind quartet (Flute/Clarinet/Horn/Bassoon) and piano. His most famous soloist piece in print is 'Four Characteristic Pieces' for clarinet and piano. His orchestral works included "Variations on a Swedish Air", "Variations on a Hungarian Air", "Variations on an Original Theme", and a Piano Concerto.

William Hurlstone is one of the 'might have been' great composers of the early 20th century. However, he still left a legacy of many chamber music works and a number of other works when he died in 1906.

• An article with a biography, as well as a detailed discussion of the Trio in G minor

Editions of his Music

• Four Characteristic Pieces - (Bb) Clarinet and Piano - Emerson Edition (Ref: E97)
• Quintet in g minor - Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and Piano (ed. Jonathan Kershaw 1998) - Emerson Edition (Ref: E324)
• Scherzo (missing movement from Trio in g minor) - Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano (ed. Richard Moore) - Emerson Edition (Ref: E404)
• Trio in g minor (new complete edition 2006) - Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano - publisher Emerson Edition (Ref: E488)

Edition E488 (2006) replaces the original Edition E62 (1982) which was found to contain many inaccuracies

• Sonata in F - Bassoon and Piano - Emerson Edition (Ref: E75)

Recordings

• Hurlstone: Chamber Works (Dutton Vocalion) CDLX7128 (2003)