Short bio Herbert Sumsion
Full biography Herbert Sumsion
Herbert Whitton Sumsion was an English musician and composer known for his compositions for the organ and choir. He was born on January 14, 1899, and became the organ scholar at Gloucester Cathedral in 1915, where he worked under the guidance of Sir Herbert Brewer. Sumsion's talent for music quickly became apparent, leading to his appointment as organist at St. George's Church in Tyldesley in 1922 and then at St. Mary's Church in Warwick in 1924.
In 1928, Sumsion was appointed as the organist at Gloucester Cathedral, where he would remain for the next four decades and become one of the most celebrated musicians of his time. He was known for his use of traditional techniques and the influence of English hymns in his compositions, as well as his love for the music of Bach. Sumsion was also a prolific composer, and his works were performed by numerous prestigious choirs and orchestras.
Sumsion passed away on August 11, 1995, leaving behind a rich legacy of music and compositions. His notable works include "Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A," "Te Deum in G," and "Processional for a Bishop." The English Church Music Series, a collection of CDs that focuses on the works of English church composers, features several of Sumsion's compositions.
Overall, Herbert Sumsion is remembered as a talented and accomplished composer who made significant contributions to the world of church music and organ composition.
Compositions featuring Herbert Sumsion
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communion Service, for chorus & organ in A and D | 10:27 min | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| 2 | In Exile | 8:24 min | Choral | 1981 |
| 3 | They that go down to the sea in ships, for chorus & organ | 6:10 min | Choral | 1979 |
| 4 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for boys' chorus & organ in G major | 7:16 min | Choral | 1942 |
| 5 | A Mountain Tune for string orchestra | 5:44 min | Orchestral | 1940 |
| 6 | Introduction and Theme | 7:55 min | Keyboard | 1935 |
| 7 | Te Deum Laudamus in G major, for chorus | 7:43 min | Choral | 1935 |
| 8 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for chorus & organ in G major | 7:28 min | Choral | 1932 |
| 9 | Introduction and Theme, for organ ("Ostinato") | 8:00 min | Keyboard | 1932 |
| 10 | O Lord, thou hast searched me out, for chorus & organ | 7:03 min | Choral | - |
| 11 | Variations on a Folk Tune, for organ | 8:09 min | Keyboard | - |
| 12 | One thing have I desired of the Lord, anthem for chorus & organ | 2:21 min | Choral | - |
| 13 | Pastoral, for organ | 3:01 min | Keyboard | - |
| 14 | Praise to the Lord of our salvation, for choir | 9:41 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | Praise to the Lord, for chorus & organ | 8:29 min | Choral | - |
| 16 | Prelude for organ on "The holly and the ivy" | 4:00 min | Keyboard | - |
| 17 | Prelude, for organ | 2:09 min | Keyboard | - |
| 18 | Preludes (4) on Well-Known Carols, for organ | 7:27 min | Keyboard | - |
| 19 | Quiet Postlude, for organ | 6:25 min | Keyboard | - |
| 20 | Sonata for violin & piano in E minor, Op. 3 | 16:11 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 21 | Te Deum for chorus & organ in B flat major | 7:25 min | Choral | - |
| 22 | The Holy Birth | 17:11 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 23 | The Lord ascendeth up on high, for chorus & organ | 5:24 min | Choral | - |
| 24 | The spacious firmament, for chorus & organ | 5:04 min | Choral | - |
| 25 | There is a green hill far away, for chorus & organ | 4:47 min | Choral | - |
| 26 | Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, for chorus | 5:07 min | Choral | - |
| 27 | Toccata on "University," for organ | 2:59 min | Keyboard | - |
| 28 | Elegy, for organ | 5:05 min | Keyboard | - |
| 29 | Air, Berceuse and Procession, for organ | 16:58 min | Keyboard | - |
| 30 | Benedicte | 5:41 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 31 | By the Cross of Jesus, for chorus & organ | 2:55 min | Choral | - |
| 32 | Canzona, for organ | 4:30 min | Keyboard | - |
| 33 | Ceremonial March, for organ | 4:07 min | Keyboard | - |
| 34 | Chorale Prelude on "Down Ampney" | 5:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 35 | Chorale Prelude on "Dundee," for organ | 3:01 min | Keyboard | - |
| 36 | Chorale Prelude on "Liebster Immanuel," for organ | 2:07 min | Keyboard | - |
| 37 | Cradle Song, for chorus | 5:11 min | Choral | - |
| 38 | Cradle Song, for organ | 6:44 min | Keyboard | - |
| 39 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, for chorus & organ in A major | 7:53 min | Choral | - |
| 40 | Evening Service for chorus & organ in G major | 8:05 min | Choral | - |
| 41 | Fantasie on Adeste Fideles for organ | 4:39 min | Keyboard | - |
| 42 | Fear not, O Land, anthem for chorus & organ | 6:28 min | Choral | - |
| 43 | Festival Benedicite, for chorus & organ | 7:16 min | Choral | - |
| 44 | I sing of a maiden | 2:15 min | Choral | - |
| 45 | I was glad, anthem for chorus & organ | 4:37 min | Choral | - |
| 46 | Intermezzo, for organ | 6:01 min | Keyboard | - |
| 47 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for chorus (or boys' chorus) & organ in D major | 8:11 min | Choral | - |
| 48 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for male chorus & organ in G major | 6:38 min | Choral | - |
Albums featuring Herbert Sumsion
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Herbert Sumsion, Daniel Cook (2) – The Complete Organ Works Of Herbert Sumsion(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2013 | Priory |
| 2 |  |
Herbert Sumsion, Daniel Cook (2) – The Complete Organ Works Of Herbert Sumsion(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2013 | Priory |
| 3 |  |
Herbert Sumsion, The Ecclesium Choir Conducted By Philip Stopford – British Church Composer Series - 9(CD, Album) | 2007 | Priory |
| 4 |  |
Elgar / Herbert Sumsion • Choir Of Worcester Cathedral • Christopher Robinson – Sacred Music • Organ Sonata No.1 In G | 1996 | EMI Classics |
| 5 |  |
Elgar • Parry • Howells • Whitlock • Vaughan Williams • Sumsion - Donald Hunt – English Organ Music 2 | 1993 | Naxos |
| 6 |  |
Sumsion • Howells • Finzi - Worcester Cathedral Choir / The Donald Hunt Singers – Sumsion • Howells • Finzi | 1983 | Hyperion |
| 7 |  |
Elgar / Herbert Sumsion, Christopher Dearnley, Robert Joyce (2), Herrick Bunney, Allan Wicks – Organ Sonata No.1 In G And Organ Music By Bliss, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Williamson(LP) | 1977 | His Master's Voice |
| 8 |  |
Gloucester Cathedral | 1965 | His Master's Voice |
| 9 |  |
Elgar, Herbert Sumsion, Bliss, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Williamson – Organ Sonata No.1 In G(LP, Compilation, Stereo) | - | His Master's Voice |
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