Henry Balfour Gardiner

Full biography Henry Balfour Gardiner

Henry Balfour Gardiner was a British composer born on November 7, 1877 and died on June 28, 1950. He was particularly known for his choral works and his role in promoting the English musical tradition during the early 20th century. Gardiner was born in London and began his musical education at a young age. He studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt and under Charles Villiers Stanford at the Royal College of Music in London.

Gardiner was a prolific composer, with over 100 works to his name. Some of his most famous pieces include "Evening Hymn", "Blessed are the Dead", and "A Song for Saint Cecilia's Day". He also composed chamber music, orchestral pieces, and songs. Gardiner was particularly interested in choral music, and he composed many works for choir, including "Five Partsongs" and "A Choral Suite". He also edited numerous collections of English folk songs.

In addition to his compositional work, Gardiner played an important role in the English musical scene of his time. He was a founding member of the English Music Society and was instrumental in promoting the works of other English composers, such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. Gardiner also worked as a conductor and organist, holding positions at various churches in London.

Despite his contributions to English music, Gardiner's reputation declined in the years following his death. Many of his works were forgotten, and he was often overshadowed by Vaughan Williams and other more famous English composers. However, in recent years, Gardiner's music has experienced a revival, and his contributions to the English musical tradition are once again being recognized and celebrated.