Brief biography of British David Barlow, 20th century's loved music teacher and respected composer, known for 'David and Bathsheba.'
David Barlow was a much-loved music teacher and well-esteemed composer of the 20th century. A senior lecturer at Newcastle upon Tyne University, he was a superb lecturer and a committed teacher, known for his knowledge of scores of all periods and his ability to bring them to life at the piano. Some of his works include church operas David and Bathsheba and Judas, two symphonies, and prelude The Tempest.
He married the prominent violinist Gillian Radcliffe. Their marriage lasted for eight years. He died from a massive stroke on 9 June 1975, aged 48.
Early Years of David Barlow
David (Frederick) Barlow, English composer and teacher, was born on 20 May 1927, at Rothwell, Northamptonshire. His father was an owner of an agricultural implement factory, and his mother, Elsie Butlin, sang in a Methodist church choir, and also undertook the duties of an organist there during World War II. A cousin supervised a children’s choir so David grew up with some music from family exposure at an early age.
On his own, he immediately showed great musical talent, where at 12, he played the famous Finlandia of Jean Sibelius complete at the piano, having only learned it from a gramophone recording.
Musical Training
In 1940s, he had lessons with a music teacher in Kettering. Later, he enrolled at Cambridge Emmanuel College, achieving a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Music, followed by a year studying composition and orchestration with Gordon Jacob at the Royal College Music (RCM) in London, and then with French Nadia Boulanger, considered one of the greatest music teacher of all time.
Music Awards
While at the Royal College of Music, Barlow won the Cobbett Chamber Music Prize with String Trio: Phantasy in E Minor, although considered his first performance was Open Air Piece conducted by A. Gibson with the RCM Student Orchestra. His Symphony No.2 won first prize in the Northern Composers’ Guild Competition.
The Teacher
From 1968, Barlow became a senior lecturer at Newcastle upon Tyne University, much loved by his students, and well-respected by his colleagues for his knowledge and enthusiasm.
The Composer
Barlow began as an English Romantic with his Second Symphony (1959), but turned to lyrical serialism. He was greatly influenced by Elgar, Walton, and Delius among others, as well as Respighi, Bruckner and Mahler.
Barlow's Works
His works include two symphonies, with No.2 (1956-59) considered far more impressive than the first, prelude The Tempest, church operas David and Bathsheba (1969) and Judas (1974), an oratorio in four scenes, and chamber music, including String Quartet (1969).
Sources:
The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, Edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan (1994)
The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 2nd Edition, Edited by Michael Kennedy (1994)
