The son of a London merchant, Richard Walthew was born in Islington and educated at Islington Proprietary School.  He then studied music at the Guildhall School of Music and subsequently won an open scholarship to The Royal College of Music where he became a pupil of Stanford and Parry and a contemporary of Vaughan Williams.

At the age of twenty his ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’ for soloist, chorus and orchestra was performed by The Highbury Philharmonic on 20 March 1893 at the Highbury Athenaeum (now replaced by a block of flats). Just over a year later his first piano concerto was performed by The Strolling Players Orchestral Society at the Queen’s Hall on 3 May 1894 with the composer at the piano.

At different times he was Music Director of The Passmore Edwards Settlement and The London Stock Exchange Orchestra. In 1907 he was appointed professor at Queens College, Harley Street founded in 1848 ‘for the instruction of ladies’, its founders including William Sterndale Bennett and John Hullah.  In 1909 he became conductor of the South Place Orchestra, part of the South Place Sunday Concerts run by the South Place Ethical Society, which in 1929 had Conway Hall purpose-built for them.  Many of Walthew’s chamber music compositions were composed specifically for these concerts. His music has been described as ‘devoid of affectation and ostentation’.  Perhaps his most important works are his Phantasy Quintet and his Trio in G.

His closest friend from their school days was William Heath Robinson, artist, designer and cartoonist who designed the wrapper for the Twelve Songs shown below.

The images displayed above are from an extensive archive of Walthew manuscripts and first editions generously donated by the family.

WORKS

Orchestral

Festival Overture in D, 1896
Orchestral Variations in B flat major, 1909
Overture, ‘Friend Fritz’ –  performed in 1914 by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra  – now lost
Overture and entr’acts for ‘Aladdin’, 1899
‘The Masque of Peace’, 1916
‘Three Night Scenes’ for orchestra, 1906
Piano Concerto in D,  1894 premiered in 1894 at The Queen’s Hall, London (full score and parts exist)
Piano Concerto in E flat major, 1903  lost?
Caprice-Impromptu for violin and orchestra (also exists for a violin or viola and piano duet), 1904. Published by Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew
‘Fiametta’ concert piece for piano and orchestra – first performance 29 March 1925 now lost
‘Table-Music’  Suite in four movements for string orchestra arranged by J.Brown, 1932
Minuet and intermezzo for string orchestra, 1940

Chamber

Piano Quintet in F minor, 1905
Phantasy Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass in E minor, 1912. Published by Stainer & Bell
Quintet in E flat for clarinet and strings, 1930
Piano Quartet in G minor, 1903
String Quartet in E major, 1900
String Quartet in B flat major
String Quartet in E flat major, 1917
Six lyric pieces for string quartet: Caprice, Intermezzo, Mazurka, Romance, Legende & A L’Ongoraise, 1904
Trio for piano, violin and clarinet in C minor, 1896. Published by Boosey & Co.
Trio for piano violin and cello in G major, 1907. Published by Boosey & Co.
Trio for clarinet, horn and piano
Regret and Conversation Gallante for piano violin and cello – version for clarinet and piano, 1927
Prelude, Sarabande and Fugue for piano, violin and cello
Five diversions for string trio, 1915
Prelude and Fugue for two clarinets and bassoon, 1945
Bagatelles for clarinet and piano in four movements
Sonata for violin and piano in A flat major
Serenade – Sonata for violin and piano  in F minor, 1925
Sonatina in G for violin and piano
Sonatina in A for violin and piano, 1926
Sonata di camera for violin and piano, 1902
Three sketches for violin and piano – scherzetto, arietta & rondino, 1900. Published by Boosey & Co.
Caprice – impromptu for violin and piano
Four impressions for violin and piano, 1928
Sonata in D for viola and piano, 1938
Sonata for cello and piano
Idyll for flute and piano, 1907. Published by Stainer & Bell
Four Meditations for clarinet and piano – 1st set, 1895. Published by Boosey & Co.
Four Meditations for clarinet and piano – 2nd set, 1901. Published by Boosey & Co.
Suite in F for clarinet and piano, 1899
Concerto for clarinet and piano – although there is evidence, the composer never got around to orchestrating this.
Miniature quartet for flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon
Triolet in E flat for Oboe, clarinet and bassoon, 1932
Horn sonata
Mosaic in ten easy pieces for clarinet and piano (also orchestrated for viola and piano), 1900
Introduction and allegro for bassoon and piano, 1900

Piano

Aubade  in G major, 1907. Published by Joseph Williams & Co.
An Autumn Melody, 1934
Bagatelle. Published by Pazdirek.
A lyrical fantasy, 1916. Published by Cary & Co.
‘At the Picture Gallery’: ‘Itinerant Musicians’, ‘Hunting Scene’, ‘The Path Through the Wood’, ‘Interior of a Church’, ‘On a May Morning’, 1919
‘The Butterfly’, intermezzo for piano, 1929
Six Dance Sketches, 1919. Published by Stainer & Bell
Danse polonaise
Introduction, air and jig – duet, 1924
Five dream pieces, 1926
Noel, Published by Augener & Co.
Pastorale. Published by Stainer & Bell
Six easy diversions, 1924
Six miniature preludes:  ‘Up in the Morning Early’, ‘Regrets’, ‘Cheer Up!, ‘Hesitation’, ‘The Careless Shepherd’ & ‘In Haven’, 1919. Published by the Anglo-French Music Co.
Holiday waltzes, 1923
‘In Early Spring’, 1934
‘The Masqueraders’ – suite for piano, 1927
A Memory. Published by Augener & Co.
Miniature Sonata, 1921
Five preludes in varying mood, 1920
‘The Scholar and a Day off’, 1931
Serenade, 1908. Published by Augener & Co.
Slender themes:  ‘Sunbeams’ & ‘The Rivulet’, 1925
‘Sun and Shade’, 1928
Two little pieces:  Andante moderato & Allegretto, 1925
Two Pastels – ‘A lace handkerchief’ & ‘The Coutier’, 1926
Two sketches for piano:  ‘A memory’ & ‘Noel’, 1912
Valse elegante, 1896. Published by Boosey & Co.
Valse intermezzo, pastoral and improvisation, 1908. Published by Stainer & Bell
‘The Winged Horse’, 1926
Five vignettes for piano, 1941
Four miniatures, 1948
Introduction, air and jig for piano duet, 1924

Song

All Fools Day with words by R H U Bloor, 1899.  Published by Boosey & Co.
A Dream of Venice with words by R H U Bloor, 1900.  Published by Boosey & Co.
All Things Lovely and True with words by E Teschemacher, 1913
April and I with words by E Langbridge, 1897. Published by Boosey & Co.
Arcady two-part song with words by R H U Bloor, 1913
A Song of Love and Death  with violin obligato. Published by Boosey & Co.
A Summer Song with words by R H U Bloor, 1900. Published by Boosey & Co.
Amantes Amantibus
At the Church Gate with words by W M Thackeray, 1904. Published by Boosey & Co.
At the Window, 1895. Published by Chappell & Co.
Beat upon mine, Little Heart with words by A L Tennyson, 1894. Published by Boosey & Co.
Beneath the Pines, A Su Swap love song with words by C Bayliff, 1898
Bird Raptures two-part song with words by Christina Rossetti, 1931
Break, break, break, with words by Tennyson, 1898
Child Songs:  The City Child & Minnie and Winnie with words by Tennyson, 1904
The Comrades  with words by C Battersby. Published by Boosey & Co.
December unison song with words by Christina Rossetti, 1924
Doris with words by H E Hunt, 1912
Dream Daisies with words by G J Hicks, 1898
Eldorado with words by E A Poe, 1896. Published by Boosey & Co.
England  two-part song with words by H Johnson, 1907
Evening two-part song with words by R M Watson, 1927
Fain Would I Change with words by T Hume, 1899. Published by Boosey & Co.
False Cupid from Horace with words by R H U Bloor, 1903
Fold and Field with words by C Bayliff, 1903. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Fountain  unison song with words by J R Lowell
Gay go up  – Maypole song with words by R H U Bloor, 1901. Published by Boosey & Co.
Gentle Spring  unison song with words by Longfellow, 1913
A Gipsy song with words by E Teschemacher, 1902
The Gleaner’s Slumber Song with words by C Battersby
Good Morrow with words by T Heywood
The Hemlock Tree  with words by Longfellow, 1898. Published by Boosey & Co.
Hey, ho, the wind and rain with words by Shakespeare
Hey, Jolly Robin! with words by R Jones, 1899
Home – keeping hearts with words by Longfellow
Hunting song  two-part song with words by Samuel Taylor-Coleridge, 1930
Hush-a-bye Baby with words by R H U Bloor, 1900. Published by Boosey & Co.
If Love should brush you with his wing four-part song with words by A Simpson, 1912
If though art Sleeping, Maiden with words by Longfellow, 1899. Published by Boosey & Co.
Invocation at Daybreak with words by D Donaldson, 1897
In Yonder Vale with words by G Tanner
It was a lover and his lass (Duet) with words by W Shakespeare, 1892. Published by Boosey & Co.
Je n’ose pas with words by J M Levy. Published by Boosey & Co.
Love and Friendship  two-part song with words by Emily Bronte, 1931
Love’s a Thing of Tears and Laughter  four-part song with words by A Simpson
Love’s Gift with words by Victor Hugo, 1903
Love’s quest with words by A Simpson
Lullaby for an infant Child  unison song with words by Sir Walter Scott
Maire, my Girl with words by J K Casey, 1896. Published by Boosey & Co.
May-Day with words by R H U Bloor, 1896. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Mermaid’s Home  two-part song with words by E H Gomes
Mister Nobody unison song
A Mother’s song with words by G Tanner
My beloved with words by L Creswicke, 1897. Published by Boosey & Co.
My Day-dreams with words by A Simpson, 1901. Published by Boosey & Co.
My love is like a fountain true with words by S Baring Gould, 1899. Published by Boosey & Co.
My Pot-Pouri with words by L Johnston, 1928
Mynheer Vandunck with words by G Colman the Younger, 1895
Night and Rest with words by Goethe translated by Longfellow, 1894. Published by Boosey & Co.
Nocturn four-part song with words by D Donaldson, 1904
Our Lady’s Children with words by D Donaldson, 1922
Over the Hills  two-part song with words by E Oxenford, 1921
The Piper unison song with words by S O’Sullivan
Queen Buttercup  two-part song with words by D Donaldson, 1913
Qu’apelle. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Restless River two-part song with words by E Oxenford
St Agnes’ Eve with words by Tennyson, 1905
Serenade  two-part song with words by G Darly, 1918
Sing Aloud ye joyful People (Carol)
Sing a song of gladness. Published by Boosey & Co.
Sleep  four-part song with words by Beaumont and Fletcher, 1909
A Song of love and death with words by Tennyson
Song on May morning  two part song with words by Milton, 1924
The Building of the City. Published by Joseph Williams & Co.
The Butterfly and the Rose with words by Heine, 1914
The Childrens Madrigal with words by A C Jeffreys. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Letter with words by Tennyson, 1902
The Perfect Note  four-part song with words by A Simpson, 1912
The Shepherd’s Roundelay. Duet. With words by G Peele, 1896
The Shepherd’s wife’s song with words by R Greene, 1897. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Shower  two-part song with words by D Gilman, 1921
The Spring of the year with words by E Teschemacher, 1906
Three Carols. Published by Boosey & Co.
Sighing Winds  two-part song with words by E Oxenford, 1924
Silent Birds  two-part song with words by E Oxenford, 1923
A Suswap Love Song. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Little Dream men with words by D Dickinson, 1913
The Splendour Falls with words by Tennyson, 1903. Published by Boosey & Co.
The Trysting Tree with words by D Donaldson, 1908. Published by Novello & Co.
The Voices   four-part song with words by J Russell, 1914
Three of us, 1907
To Pyrrha with words by RH U Bloor, 1901. Published by Boosey & Co.
To the Nightingale  unison song with words by G Tanner
Two songs: 1. Love’s Quest  2. The Perfect Note
What is it calls ? words by C Bayliff, 1898
What is love? with words by R H U Bloor, 1900. Published by Boosey & Co.
When Bonny brown Skylarks with words by G Hadath, 1903. Published by Boosey & Co.
When Daylight dies with words by T Moore, 1922
When in Disgrace madrigal with words by Shakespeare
When lovers meet with words by P G Ross, 1922
When my Lady sings with words by D Donaldson, 1908. Published by Novello & Co.
When the Wind Blows with words by B Cornwall, 1901. Published by Boosey & Co.
Wherever the spot. Published by Boosey & Co.
Where Love is King, 1900
Who Goes?, 1915
A windy day  unison song with words by A Bronte, 1930
The World Flag, a song of peace with words by J Russell
A Song of love and Death for mezzo and piano with clarinet obbligato
My Daydreams (page missing)
When I am old my dearest with words by Christina Rossetti
Ye little birds that sit and sing with words by T Heywood, 1893

‘The Girl in the Garden’ five little songs for high voice with words by J Vogel:
1. Spring’s awakening
2. The first Hyacinthe
3. The Nestling bird
4. The First red leaf
5. Hope’s renewal

‘The Village’ a cycle of two part songs for ladies voices with words by E Pertwee:
1. Morning Song
2. Milking song. Published by Chappell & Co.
3. School Song
4. The Haymakers
5. Boating Song
6. Evensong

Five songs from Thackery, 1921:
1. The Garret
2. The Age of Wisdom
3. The King on the Tower
4. Sorrows of Werther
5. The Mahogany Tree

An album of Twelve songs. Published by Boosey & Co., 1898
1. Golden Slumbers with words by Thomas Dekker
2. Sweet and Low with words by Tennyson
3. Mistress Mine with words by Shakespeare
4. Birds’ Love and Birds Song with words by Tennyson
5. The Letter with words by Tennyson
6. Marriage Morning with words by Tennyson
7. To Daffodils with words by Herrick
8. Come away, Death with words by Shakespeare
9. The Throstle with words by Tennyson
10. Hey, Ho, the Wind and the Rain with words by Shakespeare
11. Break, Break, Break with words by Tennyson
12. Good Morrow with words by Thomas Heywood

A bound book of ten songs:
1. Ave Maria, Hail Virgin Holy with words by M C Gillington, 1906. Published by Joseph Williams & Co.
2. Diaphenia with words by H Constable, 1908. Published by Stainer & Bell
3. Good Morrow with words by T Heywood
4. Hail! Holy Child!, 1909
5. Invocation at Daybreak, 1907. Published by Boosey & Co.
6. Milking Song with words by E Pertwee
7. Mule Music, 1912. Published by Joseph Williams & Co.
8. Stars of a Summer Night with words by Longfellow, 1905. Published by Boosey & Co.
9.  To Blossoms unison song with words by Heine
10. When All the World Was Sleeping with words by Chrystabel. Published by Boosey & Co.

A Bound Book of Part Songs:
1. Duet : The Skylark, 1908. Published by Stainer & Bell
2. Duet : Moonlight with words by Heine, 1909. Published by Stainer & Bell
3. Duet : Autumn with words by D Donaldson, 1909. Published by Stainer & Bell
4. Hymn to Diana  four-part song with words by B Johnson, 1908. Published by Laudy & Co.
5. There be None of Beauty’s Daughters four-part song with words by Byron, 1908
6. The Words of Alfred
7. There sits a Bird on Yonder Tree four-part song with words by T Ingolsby, 1905. Published by Novello & Co.
8. Green Fields of England  four-part song with words by A H Clough, 1908

Cantatas

‘An Ode to St.Cecilia’s Day’ for soprano, bass, chorus and orchestra, 1914
‘Ode to a Nightingale’ – baritone, chorus and orchestra with words by John Keats, 1897. Published by Boosey & Co.
‘The Pied Piper of Hamlin’ for tenor, bass, chorus and orchestra with words by R Browning, 1893. Published by Novello & Co.
‘The Fair Maids of February’, 1895. Published by Joseph Williams & Co.

‘I have lifted up mine eyes’ anthem for choir

Operetta

‘The Enchanted Island’, 1900
‘The Gardeners’, 1906. Published by Boosey & Co.
John O’Dreams with lyrics by A Ross, 1911. Published by Boosey & Co.

© Giles Enders 2022