Frederic Cliffe

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Frederic Cliffe (* 1857; † 19. November 1931) was an English composer.

1 Life
2 Works
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Life

As a youth, Cliffe showed a promising musical aptitude and was enrolled as a scholar of the National Training School for Music, the parent of the Royal College of Music, under its first Principal Arthur Sullivan^[1].

From 1884 to 1931 he held the post of Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music^[1]. Among his pupils were John Ireland and Arthur Benjamin.

Cliffe had a short career as a composer from 1889 to 1905. His principal works were two Symphonies, the first of which was produced at The Crystal Palace in 1889, and subsequently performed at a Philharmonic concert, being well received on each occasion, with The Daily Telegraph hailing it as "a masterpiece". Although not overtly programmatic, its first movement was influenced by a visit to Norway by Cliffe. His Second Symphony had its first performance at the Leeds Festival in 1892. Cliffe gave titles to each of its movements: I. At Sunset. II. Night. III. Fairy Revels. IV. Morning.

His 'scena', The Triumph of Alcestis, for contralto voice and orchestra, was composed for Clara Butt.

After that seven year period of composing substantial works, he had no record of further major composition and his works received few subsequent performances during his lifetime^[2]. Only recently have they been rediscovered and recorded^[3].

[edit] Works

Symphony in C minor , 1889
Orchestral Picture: Cloud and Sunshine, Philharmonic Society 1890
Symphony in E minor, 1892
Violin Concerto in D minor, 1896
The Triumph of Alcestis, Scena for Contralto and Orchestra, Sheffield Festival 1902
Ode to the North-East Wind, Choral Ballad, Norwich Festival 1905