Sir Edward Bairstow - 1874 to 1946



Sir Edward Bairstow was born in Huddersfield in 1874. He was a Yorkshire man born and bred and spent the majority of his life living in and around Yorkshire.

He first studied the organ with the organist at Bailliol College Oxford. He later, in 1892, became an articled pupil at Westminster Abbey and was taught the organ by the assistant organist there at the time. He went on to study for a degree at the University of Durham. After appointments London Wigan and Leeds he moved to York Minsier.

It is perhaps fitting with his loyality to Yorkshire, that he became Master of Music at York Minster in 1913. When there he challenged the cathedral choir to produce five weekly services of Matins and Evensong on four weekdays and at weekends. He also challenged them with three services on Sunday for 50 Sundays in the year. On the Wednesday the choir had a deserved rest! The York Minster choir became well known under his leadership.

He remained at York Minster for the rest of his life and received a knighthood for his services to music in 1932.

Sanderstead Singers have sung a composition of his Anthem Let all Mortal Flesh keep silence on a total of three occasions. The last was in 2012 in the fitting setting of York Minster. At that choir camp in 2912 they also sung his Magnificat in D. The harmonies in this service are evident in the excerpt.

The following is an excerpt from a recording of Let all Mortal Flesh keep silence sung at York Minster during August 2012. The conductor was Fred Irvine and the Organist was Dan Soper. The recording is a Dartworth recording.

The following is an excerpt from a recording of Magnificat in D sung at York Minster during August 2012. The conductor was Fred Irvine and the Organist was Dan Soper. The recording is a Dartworth recording.


Acknowledgement: The information about Sir Edward Bairstow s taken from an artice on Wikipedia and a lecture given to The Church Music Society on 5th July 1986, by Francis Jackson O.B.E

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