Sir John Blackwood McEwen (13 April 1868 – 14 June 1948) was a Scottish classical composer and educator. He was professor of harmony and composition at the

Royal Academy of Music The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, England, is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa. It received its royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the first Duke of ...

, London, from 1898 to 1924, and principal from 1924 to 1936. He was a prolific composer, but made few efforts to bring his music to the notice of the general public.

Life and career

Early years

John Blackwood McEwen was born in

Hawick Hawick ( ; sco, Haaick; gd, Hamhaig) is a town in the Scottish Borders council area and historic county of Roxburghshire in the east Southern Uplands of Scotland. It is south-west of Jedburgh and south-south-east of Selkirk. It is one of ...

in 1868, the son of James McEwen and his first wife, Jane, ''née'' Blackwood. James McEwen was a

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

minister; he moved to a church in

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

, where his son grew up.Dibble, Jeremy
"McEwen, Sir John Blackwood (1868–1948)"
''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, January 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2017 McEwen gained an MA degree from

Glasgow University , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

in 1888, between then and 1891 he studied music while working as a choirmaster, first in Glasgow and later at

Lanark Lanark (; gd, Lannraig ; sco, Lanrik) is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, located 20 kilometres to the south-east of Hamilton. The town lies on the River Clyde, at its confluence with Mouse Water. In 2016, the town had a population of 9 ...

parish church.Thatcher, Reginald
"McEwen, Sir John Blackwood (1868–1948), principal of the Royal Academy of Music"
Dictionary of National Biography archive, 1959. Retrieved 15 November 2017 In 1891 he moved to London to gain wider musical experience,"Obituary: Sir John McEwen", ''The Times'', 17 June 1948, p. 7 and by 1893 he had composed two string quartets, three symphonies, a Mass and other works."John Blackwood McEwen"
''The Musical Times'', 1 July 1948, pp. 221–222 In that year he entered the

(RAM), where he studied with

Ebenezer Prout Ebenezer Prout (1 March 1835 – 5 December 1909) was an English musical theorist, writer, music teacher and composer, whose instruction, afterwards embodied in a series of standard works still used today, underpinned the work of many British cl ...

Frederick Corder Frederick Corder (26 January 1852 – 21 August 1932) was an English composer and music teacher. Life Corder was born in Hackney, the son of Micah Corder and his wife Charlotte Hill. He was educated at Blackheath Proprietary School and start ...

and

Tobias Matthay Tobias Augustus Matthay (19 February 185815 December 1945) was an English pianist, teacher, and composer. Biography Matthay was born in Clapham, Surrey, in 1858 to parents who had come from northern Germany and eventually became naturalised Brit ...

.Benoliel, Bernard
"McEwen, John"
''Grove Music Online'', Oxford University Press. Retrieved 15 November 2017 While a student at the RAM McEwen won the

Charles Lucas Sir Charles Lucas, 1613 to 28 August 1648, was a professional soldier from Essex, who served as a Cavalier, Royalist cavalry leader during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Taken prisoner at the end of the First English Civil War in March 1646, ...

medal, and had his First

String Quartet The term string quartet can refer to either a type of musical composition or a group of four people who play them. Many composers from the mid-18th century onwards wrote string quartets. The associated musical ensemble consists of two violinists ...

played at one of the academy's concerts. Two years later he returned to Scotland, as a teacher of piano and composition at the Athenaeum School of Music (later the

Royal Scottish Academy of Music The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland ( gd, Conservatoire Rìoghail na h-Alba), formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama ( gd, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Ciùil is Dràma na h-Alba) is a conservatoire of dance, drama, music, production, and ...

) and choirmaster of South parish church,

Greenock Greenock (; sco, Greenock; gd, Grianaig, ) is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council areas of Scotland, council area in Scotland, United Kingdom and a former burgh of barony, burgh within the Counties of Scotland, historic ...

Professor and principal

In 1898 McEwen accepted an invitation from

Sir Alexander Mackenzie Sir Alexander Mackenzie (or MacKenzie, gd, Alasdair MacCoinnich; – 12 March 1820) was a Scottish explorer known for accomplishing the first crossing of America north of Mexico in 1793. The Mackenzie River is named after him. Early life ...

, principal of the RAM, to become professor of harmony and composition. He held the post for the next 26 years. Among his students were the composers

William Alwyn William Alwyn (born William Alwyn Smith; 7 November 1905 – 11 September 1985), was an English composer, conductor, and music teacher. Life and music William Alwyn was born William Alwyn Smith in Northampton, the son of Ada Tyler (Tompkins ...

, Dorothy Howell and

Priaulx Rainier Ivy Priaulx Rainier (3 February 190310 October 1986) was a South African-British composer. Although she lived most of her life in England and died in France, her compositional style was strongly influenced by the African music remembered from he ...

. He was known as an exacting teacher, who emphasised discipline, but encouraged a liberal aesthetic outlook in his pupils.Obituary: Sir John McEwen", ''The Manchester Guardian'', 18 June 1948, p. 3 In 1902 McEwen married the pianist Hedwig Ethel Cole (1879–1949), daughter of Henry Alwyn Bevan Cole, naval architect. There were no children of the marriage. In 1905, together with

and

, McEwen co-founded the Society of British Composers; he also served as president of Incorporated Society of Musicians He held radically egalitarian political views, and wrote a series of left-wing tracts, including ''Abolish Money'' and ''Total Democracy''. In 1924, on Mackenzie's retirement, McEwen was appointed principal of the RAM. ''

The Manchester Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' said of his tenure that although he did not go out of his way to seek popularity among his students and staff, "his unfailing loyalty and integrity won him the respect of all those who came into touch with him". In 1926 he received the honorary degree of

DMus A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

from

Oxford University Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

. He was

knighted A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

in the

1931 New Year Honours The 1931 New Year Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the United Kingdom and British Empire. They were announced on 30 December 1930. The recipients of honour ...

, and retired in 1936. McEwen died in 1948 in London, aged 80. His widow died the following year. He bequeathed the residue of his estate to the University of Glasgow to help promote the performance of chamber music by composers of Scottish birth and descent.

Music

McEwen's biographer Jeremy Dibble writes that the composer's orchestral music shows an indebtedness "to the highly coloured, post-Wagnerian palette of Strauss, Skryabin, and the late French Romantics such as Chausson, Dukas, and Charpentier … a late-Romantic propensity that even extended to '

Sprechgesang (, "spoken singing") and (, "spoken voice") are expressionist vocal techniques between singing and speaking. Though sometimes used interchangeably, ''Sprechgesang'' is directly related to the operatic ''recitative'' manner of singing (in which p ...

' in the ''Fourteen Poems for 'inflected voice' and piano'' (1943)." Dibble comments that McEwen's large output of chamber music "reveals a creative mind disposed towards more abstract, polyphonic thought." Bernard Benoliel, in ''

Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' is an encyclopedic dictionary of music and musicians. Along with the German-language ''Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart'', it is one of the largest reference works on the History of music, ...

'' observes that McEwen's music "synthesizes Scottish (and sometimes French) folk idioms and the Romantic legacy of Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, and the French and Russian schools; Debussy was particularly influential". Dibble writes that In the ''Three Border Ballads'' (1905–8) the composer's "mastery of form and orchestration, backed by a powerful emotional impetus, rivals mature Elgar". McEwen's best-known orchestral work was the ''Solway'' Symphony of 1922; it was the first British symphony to be recorded for the gramophone. He wrote a Viola Concerto for

Lionel Tertis Lionel Tertis, CBE (29 December 187622 February 1975) was an English violist. He was one of the first viola players to achieve international fame and a noted teacher. Career Tertis was born in West Hartlepool, the son of Polish-Jewish immigra ...

, described by ''The Times'' after its premiere in 1901 as "interesting and very well written". The consensus of critics is that McEwen's finest works are his chamber compositions. McEwen's music achieved little public recognition, partly because he rarely sought it. Dibble remarks that he was "seemingly unconcerned about the dissemination of his own works". Despite that, McEwen nevertheless did much to further the cause of other British composers, particularly as a prominent member of the

Royal Philharmonic Society The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) is a British music society, formed in 1813. Its original purpose was to promote performances of instrumental music in London. Many composers and performers have taken part in its concerts. It is now a memb ...

in the years between the First and Second World Wars. In recent years

Chandos Records Chandos Records is a British independent classical music recording company based in Colchester. It was founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.Alasdair Mitchell Alasdair Mitchell (born 1950) is a British classical music conductor. Mitchell is best known for his recordings with Chandos Records, which include ''Farrar Orchestral Works''. "The pioneering efforts of conductor Alasdair Mitchell… and the ...

including ''A Solway Symphony, Hills o`Heather'' for Cello and Orchestra, ''Where the Wild Thyme Blows, Three Border Ballads'', and ''Hymn on the Morning of Christ's Nativity''; three more CDs of McEwen's string quartets; and a single CD of solo piano music, including the large scale Piano Sonata of 1903. McEwen wrote two musical text-books: ''Exercises on Phrasing in Pianoforte Playing'', and ''The Principles of Phrasing and Articulation in Music ''. ''The Musical Times'' considered that his chief literary contribution was ''The Thought in Music: An Inquiry into the Principles of Musical Rhythm, Phrasing and Expression''.

Selected works

;Stage * ''The Royal Rebel'', Comic Opera in 3 acts (1909) ;Orchestral * ''Comala'', Symphonic Poem (1889) * ''Lanark'', Overture (1890) * Suite in E major (1893) * Suite in F (1893) * ''Overture to a Comedy'' (1895) * Symphony in A minor (1892–1898); published as String Quartet in 1903 * ''Three Border Ballads'' (1906–1908) :# ''Coronach'' (1906) :# ''The Demon Lover'' (1906–1907) :# ''Grey Galloway'' (1908) * ''Solway'', Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1911) * ''The Jocund Dance'', Dance Tunes for string orchestra (1920, orchestrated 1927); original for string quartet * ''Suite of Old National Dances'' for string orchestra (1924); also for string quartet * ''Prelude'' (1925) * ''Where the Wild Thyme Blows'', Prelude (1936) * ''Overture di ballo'' for chamber orchestra (1936) * Suite for string orchestra (1936) :# Prelude :# What the Cello Said :# Der kleine Meister (The Little Masters) :# Orientale :# Scherzo * Suite in C major for string orchestra (1941) * Suite in D major for string orchestra (1941) * Suite ''Ballet de Lilliput'' for string orchestra and harp ;Concertante * Concerto for viola and orchestra (1901) * ''Hills o'Heather'', a Retrospect for cello and orchestra (1918) * ''Prince Charlie'', a Scottish Rhapsody for violin and orchestra (1924, orchestrated 1941); original for violin and piano ;Chamber music * String Quartet in F major (1893) * String Quartet in F minor (1893) * String Quartet No. 1 in F (1893) * String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (1898), arrangement of Symphony in A minor; published in 1903 * ''Graih My Chree'', Recitation Music for 2 violins, viola, cello, piano and percussion (1900) * String Quartet No. 3 in E minor (1901) * ''6 Highlands Dances'' for violin and piano (1902) * String Quartet No. 4 in C minor (1905) * String Quintet ''"Phantasy-Quintet"'' in E minor (1911) * ''"Nugae"'', 7 Bagatelles (String Quartet No. 5) for 2 violins, viola and cello (1912) :# Lament in G minor :# March of the Little Folk in E major :# Peat Reek in G minor :# Scherzino in G minor :# Humoresque in A :# The Dhu Loch in D :# Red Murdoch in G minor * String Quartet No. 6 "Biscay" in A major (1913); published as No. 8 :# Le phare (The Lighthouse) :# Les dunes (The Dunes) :# La racleuse (The Oyster-Raker) * Sonata No. 1 in E major for violin and piano (1913) * Sonata No. 2 in F minor for violin and piano (1913–1914) * ''2 Poems'' for violin and piano (1913) :# Breath o'June; also for viola and piano :# The Lone Shore * Sonata No. 3 in G for violin and piano (1913) * String Quartet No. 7 "Threnody" (1916); published as No. 9 * ''A Little Sonata'' (Sonata No. 4) in A major for violin and piano (1917) * String Quartet No. 8 in E major (1918) * String Quartet No. 9 in B minor (1920) * ''The Jocund Dance'', Dance Tunes (String Quartet No. 10) for 2 violins, viola and cello (1920); also for string orchestra * ''Martinmas Tide'' in G minor for violin and piano (1921) * Sonata No. 5 ''Sonata-Fantasia'' for violin and piano (1921) * String Quartet No. 11 in E minor (1921) * ''Prince Charlie'', a Scottish Rhapsody for violin and piano (1924); also for violin and orchestra * ''Suite of Old National Dances'', String Quartet No. 12 (1924); original version for string orchestra * String Quartet No. 13 in C minor (1928) * Sonata No. 6 for violin and piano (1929) * String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (1936) * ''A Little Quartet: In modo Scotico'', String Quartet No. 15 (1936) * String Quartet No. 16 "Quartette provençale" (1936) * Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor (1937); after the 1936 Prelude ''Where the Wild Thyme Blows'' for orchestra * ''Improvisations provençales'' for violin and piano (1937) * ''5 Preludes and a Fugue'' for 2 violins (1939); version for violin and viola (1942) * ''Under Northern Skies'' for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (1939)Dutton Epoch CDLX7398 (2022)
/ref> * Sonata No. 7 in A minor for violin or viola and piano (1941) * ''Pericula'', 6 trios avec piano (1943) * Piano Trio No. 3 "Rococo" (1943) * Piano Trio No. 4 "Fantasy" (1943) * ''Pericula (Experiments)'', 6 String Trios for violin, viola and cello (1943) * ''Pibroch'' for 2 violins, viola and cello (1943); arrangement of movement III of String Trio No. 2 * String Quartet No. 17 "Fantasia" in E major (1947) * 2 Duos for oboe and piano * ''Romance for Violin'' * ''5 Scottish Dances'' for violin and piano ;Organ * ''Festive March'' * ''March'' ;Piano * Sonata in E minor (1903) * ''4 Sketches'' (1909) :# Prelude :# Quasi minuetto :# Elegy :# Humoreske * ''Suite de ballet'' for piano 4-hands (1912) * ''Vignettes from La Côte d'Argent'' (1918) :# Petite Chérie (Little Darling) :# Les Hirondelles (The Swallows) :# Pantalon rouge (Red Trousers) :# Crépuscule du soir mystique (Mystical Twilight) :# La Rosière (The Motorboat) * Sonatina in G minor (1918) * 3 Preludes (1920) :# A White Naiad in a Rippling Stream :# A Rapt Seraph in a Moonlight Beam :# The Dew by Fairy Feet Swept from the Green * ''On Southern Hills'', 3 Sketches from Provençe'' (1938) :# White Oxen :# Drifting Clouds :# L'improvisadou (The Improvisatore) * ''Ballet Suite'' (1938) :# La Senorita :# Intermezzo :# Valsette :# Alla Marcia * Allemande * ''Phyllis Hallain's Book'' * Sonatina in C * ''A Winter Poem'' ;Vocal * ''The River'' for voice and piano (1899); words by Moore Park * ''The Vale of Glenariff'' for voice and piano (1899); words by Thomas McEwen * ''Brevity'' for voice and piano (1905); words by Constance Travers * ''Here's a Flower for Your Grave'' for voice and piano (1905); words by

Justin Huntly McCarthy Justin Huntly McCarthy (1859 – 20 March 1936) was an Irish author, historian, and nationalist politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1884 to 1892, taking his seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. He was the son of J ...

* ''Love's But a Dance'' for voice and piano (1905); words by

Henry Austin Dobson Henry Austin Dobson (18 January 1840 – 2 September 1921), commonly Austin Dobson, was an English poet and essayist. Life He was born at Plymouth, the eldest son of George Clarisse Dobson, a civil engineer, of French descent. When he was ...

* ''A Roundel of Rest'' for voice and piano (1905); words by

Arthur Symons Arthur William Symons (28 February 186522 January 1945) was a British poet, critic and magazine editor. Life Born in Milford Haven, Wales, to Cornish parents, Symons was educated privately, spending much of his time in France and Italy. In 1884 ...

* ''3 Songs'' for voice and piano (1906); words by

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in translation by A. Wingate :# Song of Autumn :# The Wood's Aglow :# Soleils couchants * ''Sleep, Little Blossom'' for voice and piano (1909); words by

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* ''The Gauger'' for voice and piano (1911); words by

J. Meade Falkner John Meade Falkner (8 May 1858 – 22 July 1932) was an English novelist and poet, best known for his 1898 novel '' Moonfleet''. An extremely successful businessman, he became chairman of the arms manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth durin ...

* ''14 Poems'' for inflected voice and piano (1943); words by Margaret Forbes * ''Day by Day'' for voice and piano * ''England, My England'' for voice and orchestra; words by

William Ernest Henley William Ernest Henley (23 August 184911 July 1903) was an English poet, writer, critic and editor. Though he wrote several books of poetry, Henley is remembered most often for his 1875 poem "Invictus". A fixture in London literary circles, the o ...

* ''Love's Remembrance'' for voice and piano * ''The Birds Lullaby'' for voice and piano; words by

Pauline Johnson Emily Pauline Johnson (10 March 1861 – 7 March 1913), also known by her Mohawk stage name ''Tekahionwake'' (pronounced ''dageh-eeon-wageh'', ), was a Canadian poet, author, and performer who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centur ...

;Choral * ''The Vision of Jacob'', Sacred Cantata for tenor, mixed chorus and orchestra (1892); words by Thomas McEwen * ''A Scene from Hellas'' for female chorus and orchestra (1895, revised 1947); words by

Percy Bysshe Shelley Percy Bysshe Shelley ( ; 4 August 17928 July 1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets. A radical in his poetry as well as in his political and social views, Shelley did not achieve fame during his lifetime, but recognition of his achie ...

* ''A Day in Spring'', Cantata for female chorus and piano (1898); words by Thomas McEwen * ''Evening'', Two-Part Song for female chorus and piano (1898) * ''The Last Chantey'' for chorus and orchestra (1898); words by

Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling ( ; 30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936)''The Times'', (London) 18 January 1936, p. 12. was an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. ...

* ''Morning Greeting'', Two-Part Song for female voices (1898) * ''Slumber Song'', Two-Part Song for female chorus and piano (1898) * ''Weep No More'', Four-Part Song for mixed chorus and piano (1902); words by John Fletcher * ''Charm Me Asleep'', Four-Part Song (1903); words by Robert Herrick * ''Let Me the Canakin Clink'', Four-Part Song (1903); words from ''

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'' by

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* ''O That Men Would Praise the Lord'', Anthem for Harvest (1903) * ''Hymn on the Morning of Christ's Nativity'',

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for soprano, chorus and orchestra (1905); words from ''

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'' by

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* ''Troll the Bowl'', Four-Part Song for mixed chorus and piano (1905); words by Thomas Dekker * ''Allen-a-Dale'', Four-Part Song for mixed chorus and piano (1907); words by

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* ''The Links o' Love'', Part-Song for mixed chorus and piano (1909); words by Andrew Wanless * ''Three Scenes from the Empire Pageant at the Cristal Palace, 1910'' for chorus and wind orchestra (1909) * ''The Wind in the Chimney'', Part Song (1911); words by

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* ''Autumn Song'', Two-Part Song for female chorus and piano (1912) * ''The Garland'' for mixed chorus and piano * ''Psalm 24: Chorus and "Lift Up Your Hearts"'' for mixed chorus a cappella * ''6 Two-Part Songs'' for female voices and piano * ''When through the Piazzetta'' for mixed chorus a cappella ;Literary * ''Exercises on Phrasing in Pianoforte Playing'' (1908) * ''A Text-Book of Harmony and Counterpoint'' (1908) * ''A Primer of Harmony for Use in Schools'' (1911) * ''The Thought in Music: An Enquiry into the Principles of Musical Rhythm, Phrasing and Expression'' (1912) * ''The Principles of Phrasing and Articulation in Music'' (1916) * ''The Foundations of Musical Aesthetics, or the Elements of Music'' (1917) * ''First Steps in Musical Composition'' (1922) * ''Tempo Rubato, or Time-Variation in Musical Performance'' (1928) * ''An Introduction to an Unpublished Edition of the Pianoforte Sonatas of

Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical ...

'' (1932)

Notes

External links

* * Digitised scores of his musical works can be viewed through th
Five Centuries of Scottish Music
collection hosted b

* Details on the McEwen bequest and the annual memorial concer
McEwen Memorial Concert of Scottish Music
{{DEFAULTSORT:McEwen, John Blackwood 1868 births 1948 deaths 19th-century classical composers 20th-century classical composers Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music Composers awarded knighthoods Knights Bachelor People from Hawick Principals of the Royal Academy of Music British Romantic composers Scottish classical composers British male classical composers Scottish opera composers Male opera composers 20th-century Scottish musicians 20th-century British composers 19th-century British composers 20th-century British male musicians 19th-century British male musicians