Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley (22 July 1830 – 26 October 1903) was an English composer, best known for his role as Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh.[1] Prior to his appointment to this role in 1865 he established his reputation as an organist, composer, and musician. During his tenure at the University of Edinburgh he founded a number of university musical societies across Scotland, most notably the Edinburgh University Music Society, and successfully resolved the university's Reid School of Music into a Faculty[2] able to award degrees to its graduates. He socialized with and mentored contralto, composer, and festival organizer Mary Augusta Wakefield.[3]
Life
editHe was born at Ealing on 22 July 1830. He was second son of Sir Herbert Oakeley, 3rd Baronet. He was educated at Rugby and at Christ Church, Oxford, he graduated B.A. in 1853 and proceeded M.A. studies in 1856. He studied with Stephen Elvey. In 1865, he was elected Reid Professor of Music at Edinburgh University.[4]
He was knighted in 1876, and in 1881 was appointed "Composer of Music to Queen Victoria in Scotland".[citation needed] In June 1901, he received an honorary doctorate (LL.D) from the University of Glasgow during celebrations for the university's 450th jubilee.[5] He retired from his professorship in 1891. His address in Eastbourne was 53, Grand Parade, where he died unmarried on 26 October 1903.[4]
Music
editAs a composer, Oakeley mostly produced church music, including anthems, hymn tunes (most notable 'Edina' and 'Abends,') and settings of the morning and evening service. His Jubilee Cantata was written for the Cheltenham Festival in 1887. His orchestral works include the Edinburgh March and the Suite in Olden Style. Oakeley also produced songs, a piano sonata and preludes and fugues for organ.[6]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Oakeley, E.M. The Life of Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley (1904)
- ^ Unknown (1975). "Edinburgh University Musical Society Formed". University of Edinburgh Journal. XXVII: 138.
- ^ Rosa Newmarch. Mary Wakefield: A Memoir (1912), pp. 44, 48-9
- ^ a b Hadden 1912.
- ^ "Glasgow University Jubilee". The Times. No. 36481. London. 14 June 1901. p. 10. Retrieved 5 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ 'Herbert Oakeley', in Our History, University of Edinburgh wiki
References
edit
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Hadden, James Cuthbert (1912). "Oakeley, Herbert Stanley". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography (2nd supplement). London: Smith, Elder & Co.- Field, Christopher D. S. "Oakeley, Sir Herbert Stanley (1830–1903)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/35273. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- The Life of Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley ... G. Allen. 1904.
External links
edit- Works by or about Herbert Oakeley at the Internet Archive
- Music Collection of Professor Sir Herbert Stanley Oakley (Details of Sir Herbert Oakeley's Music Collection, held by the University of Edinburgh Library's Special Collections Division.)
- Website of the Edinburgh University Music Society
- Website of the current Reid School of Music
- Prelude on the Hymn Tune 'Abends', played by Wayne Warren