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Sir Frederick Bridge

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"SIR FREDERICK BRIDGE (1844-), English organist, composer and conductor, was born at Oldbury, Worcs., Dec. 5 1844. Educated at first at the Cathedral school, Rochester, where his father was a vicar-choral, he became a chorister there in 1850 and 15 years later assistant organist. In 1865 he became organist to Trinity church, Windsor, in 1869 to Manchester cathedral, and in 1875 he was appointed permanent deputy organist to Westminster Abbey. In 1882 Bridge succeeded Turle as organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, a post he retained until 1918, when he retired with the title of emeritus organist. In 1890 he was appointed Gresham professor of music; in 1896 conductor of the Royal Choral Society; in 1902 King Edward professor of music in London University. He was knighted in 1897, received the M.V.O. in 1902 and was promoted C.V.O. nine years later. Belonging to what has come to be regarded as the " old school," but remaining a popular figure as the organizer of important musical functions, Bridge was a voluminous composer, especially of church music. He has written about a dozen oratorios and cantatas, many successful glees and part-songs; primers on counterpoint, organ accompaniment and musical gestures. Also he published Samuel Pepys, a Lover of Music (1903); A Shakespearean Birthday Book and an autobiography, A Westminster Pilgrim (1919).